Design of Flanges for Dust Fluidised Transport

It sounds as though it is the customer's problem and no-one else's.

Being an ATEX environment, and considering that there will be people working beside this pipe (including myself) during comissioning and start-up, I have good reasons to be extremely "curious" about the matter at hand.

I have got no answer from customer, and makes me think that somebody may think that can save a bunch of €/$.

I have been looking trough internet to no avail till now.

Probably the information is included in some construction code, but I have not found references till now.

A hint in the right direction will be highly appreciated.

Well, the pipe will be hydraulically tested and bounced off the Client's burst and collapse insurance inspectors before entering process service and whoever is working in the area other than process operatives and supervisors will need a Permit To Work.

Meanwhile, there must be many other things that can receive attention, perhaps?

All the procedures you mention will come, eventually, after 6 months or so and they are customer scope of supply.

Other things are dutifully being care of. Thanks.

What is your function in this project?

Why not point out your misgivings to the person responsible for the piping design, and the project safety officer?

Now, if you tell us that you are responsible for piping design and safety, I'll have serious doubts about the success of the project.

A rubber gasket will withstand abrasion better than the metal flanges themselves. After all, sandblast hoses are rubber lined.

Consider using Teflon envelope gaskets. That way the gasket will extend to the i.d. of the pipe and Teflon is very, but not outright, abrasion resistant. Also it will give you a very compressible gasket which will improve the sealing of the flanges.

Good Luck, Old Salt

It's still the original poster's customer's problem, and not the original poster's.

Totally agree with you. If the contract stated that then it is their responsibility. From a practical standpoint is it advantageous, in most cases, to know what the problems and the potential solutions are. This often keeps the contractor on the right track if they know that you are aware that there are readily available solutions at hand. Analogy: If I go to a barber for a hair cut, I will get a better haircut if the barber is aware that I know what a good haircut is.

As a side note, I am very aware of the barber analogy since I, unlike many others of my age group, have enough of the stuff to need a haircut every so often. There is a miniscule amount of color but I still have something to be lacking in color.

Good Luck. Old Salt

Dear Old Salt,

your "barber analogy" hits the nail on the exact head, regarding the spirit of the question.

Your answer about teflon gasket matches with the specifications in the drawings of the client (got to see them just a few minutes ago, indicates gasket PTFE 2mm).

Salu2 cordiales,

Abel.

What do the BLUEPRINTS spec out??