Forged and Blind flanges for conducting different functions in a pipeline smoothly

Pipe flanges are available in the market in different designs having a variety of sizes and shapes. Generally a flange has a shape of a disc and is required for linking two pipes together or to attach a pipe and a tee, choke, valve or any other component. Providing strength and support, two flanges can typically get linked to the pipe’s end having a gasket between them. Among the most commonly used ones are the blind flanges. These are solid disks required for blocking a pipeline to maintain a stop. This is designed in the same way as a normal flange having the mounting holes around the perimeter and the gasket sealing rings machined into the mating surface. The difference between a normal and a blind flange is that it doesn’t have any hole to allow the transfer of fluid. This type of flange is used for entirely closing a fitting with the attached flange. Blind flanges are placed between two open flanges for blocking the liquid flow in a pipeline.

People often use a blind flange for their pipeline in case of a repair that is needed to extend the line. Using these components allow the downstream flanges to get disconnected without any fear of losing liquid. Many times this blockade is useful to add additional line within an existing pipeline or when a new valve is attached to the pipe. The blockade created through these flanges is also used for closing down a pipeline which isn’t needed anymore.

Without having a blind type of flange performing repairs and maintenance on a pipeline would be much difficult. The fluid flow would need to get shut off at the nearest valve, which can be miles away from the area of repair. Using valves for blocking a pipe is an expensive method and these are prone to stick to the pipe. Using blind flanges is a much more reliable and a cost effective technique to seal a pipe.

Forget flanges on the other hand are conventionally used flange products. These were designed on the basis of cast flanges into production. Its intensity is to be much higher than the cast steel flange and may be interconnected so that the tube with the parts is connected to the end of the tube. Connection of a flange is detachable. The coupled components can be divided into the vessel flange and pipe flange. Sub structure type, integral flange, threaded flanges and loose flanges.   

Forged flanges are available in different types and some most commonly use ones are the following:

Anchor flanges: These are used generally for anchor pipes – often when crossing streams or ravines. The component is made of pieces of double hub steel fitted within a special kind of holder that is part of a piling to provide support to the pipeline and bear the process of loading. The anchor structure is generally welded to the pipe and is usually embedded in concrete. These are made up through axial thermal expansion (axial pressure inside the pipeline).

Split flanges: These types of forged flanges can be easily installed on pre-existing pipelines. The flange device is made up through nuts and bolts or through the process of welding into a certain place. This is generally used to reinforce the weakest piping regions to attach places that are not accessible by the conventional places.