Different Types Of Special Flanges

By Author: Jeeten Gupta
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Used in Many Different Fields such as the Pipeline Industry, Petroleum Industry, oil & Industry and many more flanges plays an important role in many of this project. So, let us know exactly the Definition of a Flange?
“A flange is a mechanical device that is used to connect pipes, valves, pumps and other equipment to form a piping system. Usually, Flanges are welded or screwed. Flanges Provide easy access for cleaning, inspection, and Modification. Flanges joints are made by bolting together two flanges with a gasket between them to provide a seal”.
 
SPECIAL FLANGE TYPES:
Different Types of Flanges are used for Piping a Component as per their requirements and their specific Functions. It depends mainly on the Required Strength for the Flanged Joint.
So, Let’s dive into different types of Special Flanges that are used for Various Purposes. The special types of flanges are:

Groove Flanges / Tongue Flanges
Long Neck
Orifice
Spectacle

LONG NECK ...
... FLANGES

Long Weld Neck Flange is used in the oil & gas industry, where the Temperature and Pressure are High. The long weld neck flange guides the pipe into the flange itself and provides reinforcement that a standard weld neck flange cannot. These flanges are unique from other flanges, due to their simple connectivity with other pipes.
A Short Overview of Lock Neck Flanges is Shown in this article 
 

ORIFICE FLANGES

The main function of an orifice flange is to provide access to a line for transferring gases or liquids. Orifice flanges are installed to avoid turbulence at the plate. An orifice flange has ten diameters of straight pipe upstream and five diameters of pipe downstream as per the rule of thumb.
When installing the orifice plate flange the pressure taps need to be at the same elevation to each other. The assumption when making the calculation for the orifice plate is that static head of the tubes is the same on both sides of the orifice plate. Pressure taps should not be installed facing down as the taps could become plugged with debris in the line.
Purpose of Orifice Flanges

The Main Purpose of Orifice Flanges is, they are widely used with orifice meters to measure the flow rate of liquid or gases, flowing through the pipe.
An orifice plate is a device used for measuring the flow of the inner fluid or gas, is secured between two orifice flanges, attached to the pipe.
The orifice plate contains a small hole; where two pressure tap holes are drilled in each flange which helps in measuring the pressure built inside the pipe.
A ‘jack screw’ is fitted between the two flanges, which enables us to separate the flanges during the inspection or replacement process.

SPECTACLE FLANGES

A Spectacle Blind flange is a round plate that has all of the relevant boltholes but no center hole, and because of this feature, this flange is used to close off the ends of piping systems and pressure vessel openings. This Flange allows easy access to the interior of a line or vessel once it has been sealed and must be reopened. The plate is pressure-retaining with one solid end and one open end connected. In normal operation, the open end forms the seal between two flanges and permits the normal flow of fluid through the pipework. If the solid end is swung into the position it effectively blanks of the pipe and halts the flow.
Spectacle Flanges Uses, Applications and Dimensions is explained in Detailed in this Article

GROOVE FLANGES / TONGUE FLANGES

A groove flange and a tongue flange are constantly paired because the Tongue and Groove faces of these flanges must be matched. One flange face has a raised ring (Tongue) machined onto the flange face while the mating flange has a matching depression (Groove) machined into its face. Tongue-and-groove facings are standardized in both large and small types and are mainly used for pump covers and valves bonnets.
 
More Links:

Flanges and its types
An overview of Slip-on Flange
Uses and Applications of Stainless-Steel Flanges