Practical Gasket and Bolting Application for Leak Free Operation

Time: 12:15 PM

Room A

Rodney Roth, Leader Global Technologies &  Eric Ellis, Lyondell Basell

 

This session will be a brief tutorial on gasket selection and flange bolt-up to provide leak free operation.  With the increased focus on safety and environmental compliance in today’s chemical processing and refining facilities, process leaks are no longer an accepted part of plant operations.  The need for reliable, leak free connections has generated a variety of gasket and bolting designs that can be applied to new and existing equipment.  This presentation is intended to provide an overview of gasket styles, including their strengths and application limits, along with a practical guide on selection and detailed information on bolting and those characteristics surrounding stud bolts and proper torque or bolt procedures.  Physical examples of gasket styles, including failure specimens will be included.  Information presented will be from both the end user and gasket supplier points of view, with an emphasis on large diameter flanged connections (heat exchangers, large diameter piping, vessel body flanges, etc.) and what has been demonstrated to work in the field.  Bolting design and tightening methods will also be discussed.