Piping, Flanges, and Gaskets

Question 1

What type of flange is this?

Answer 1

Flat Faced Flange

Question 2

What is the advantage of a flat faced flange?

Answer 2

FF flanges avoid the bending moment that is put on the flange as the bolts are torqued. Some flange materials can easily break at this time, such as cast iron and fiberglass. FF flanges eliminate this problem.

Question 3

What type of flange is this?

Answer 3

Raised Face Flange

Question 4

What is the advantage of a raised face flange?

Answer 4

Raised Face Flanges are widely used in oil and gas pipelines. They are appropriate for both high and low temperatures and pressures. The main purpose of the RF flange is to concentrate the contact pressure on the gasket area, resulting in increased strength of the seal.

Question 5

What type of flange is this?

Answer 5

Ring Type Joint

Question 6

What is the advantage of a Ring Type Joint flange?

Answer 6

RTJ Flanges are a good alternative to raised face in certain applications. Typically, higher pressure and temperature projects use Ring Type Joints. They provide a more effective sealing solution to media critical pipeline and pressure vessel infrastructure.

Question 7

What type of flange is designed for high-pressure and/or high-temperature pipeline applications?

Answer 7

The RTJ flange (Ring Type Joint) is designed for high-pressure and/or high-temperature pipeline applications. This makes them the required standard in API specification flanges. Applications include oil field valves, pipework assemblies, and high integrity pressure vessel joints.

Question 8

True or False?: Flat-faced flanges can be used with raised faced flanges? Why or why not?

Answer 8

False. Mismatched flanges prevent gaskets from seating properly and leads to gaskets leaking and wearing out.

Question 9

What does EPDM stand for?

Answer 9

ethylene propylene diene terpolymer

Question 10

For 4” water piping, what is the approximate maximum support spacing?

Answer 10

14 feet

Question 11

For 12” diameter water piping, what is the maximum allowable pipe support spacing?

Answer 11

23 feet

Question 12

For 3” diameter water piping, what is the maximum allowable pipe support spacing?

Answer 12

12 feet

Question 13

Does a higher Dimension Ratio (DR) for HDPE mean a thicker, or thinner wall thickness?

Answer 13

Thinner

Question 14

Does a lower Dimension Ratio (DR) for HDPE mean a thicker, or thinner wall thickness?

Answer 14

Thicker

Question 15

What does HDPE stand for?

Answer 15

High Density Polyethylene

Question 16

What does “SDR” stand for when referring to HDPE piping?

Answer 16

Standard Dimension Ratio. It is a specific set of DR values based on a standardized series of numbers, used to ensure consistency in pipe manufacturing across different applications.

Question 17

What does “DR” stand for when referring to HDPE piping?

Answer 17

Dimension Ratio. It is the ratio of the pipe’s outside diameter to its minimum wall thickness.

Question 18

In the context of HDPE fittings, _______________ is a system used to ensure that the wall thickness of a fitting matches the wall thickness of the HDPE pipe it is intended to be joined with, allowing for proper compatibility and a secure connection; essentially, it’s a way to select fittings with the correct wall thickness based on the pipe’s dimension ratio.

Answer 18

Equivalent Dimension Ratio (EDR)

Question 19

In the context of HDPE fittings, what does “EDR” stand for?

Answer 19

Equivalent Dimension Ratio

Question 20

What does IPS stand for?

Answer 20

Iron Pipe Size. It is the original pipe sizing system from the early 19th century. IPS is typically used for black iron or carbon steel pipe, and is available in sizes from ¾-in. to 65-in.

Question 21

What does DIPS stand for?

Answer 21

Ductile Iron Pipe Size. This pipe sizing system was created in 1948. DIPS is typically used for cast or ductile iron pipe, and is available in sizes from 4-in. to 36-in. DIPS piping has a larger outside diameter (OD) than IPS piping. For example, a 30-in DIPS pipe has a 32-in OD, while a 30-in IPS pipe has a 30-in OD.

Question 22

What are the main differences between IPS and DIPS?

Answer 22

DIPS pipes typically have a larger outside diameter compared to IPS pipes of the same nominal size. In IPS, the nominal size usually refers to the outside diameter, while in DIPS, the outside diameter is more precisely controlled.

Question 23

For HDPE piping, describe the difference between DR and SDR.

Answer 23

In HDPE piping, both “DR” (Dimension Ratio) and “SDR” (Standard Dimension Ratio) refer to the ratio of a pipe’s outside diameter to its minimum wall thickness, but the key difference is that “DR” can be any number, while “SDR” refers to a specific series of standardized numbers used to categorize pipe pressure ratings, meaning a specific SDR value indicates a set wall thickness and pressure capacity across different pipe sizes; essentially, SDR is a standardized version of DR.