LEVERAGING HOTT/ROTT GASKET TESTING DATA FOR FLANGE DESIGN VALIDATION ON PROBLEM EXCHANGERS
Room B at 2:00 PM
Speakers: Scott Bouse, Stress Engineering Services, Consulting Engineer
Presentation Description
One of the main serviceability concerns with large heat exchangers is that of leaking body flange connections. Often, these problem flanges will pass ASME VIII-1 code checks, with flange rigidity values substantially less than 1.0. Clearly, flange leak performance is not simply a question of flange thickness/rigidity, but also of gasket selection, torqueing procedures, and thermal/pressure operation swings. This presentation will explore some of the recent work in the area of design validation, and discuss how to evaluate a current or existing design for service conditions or upsets that could lead to leaks. Remediation and analysis strategies will be discussed, including considerations for gasket changes, bolt modifications, and more aggressive options that are available.
One of the main serviceability concerns with large heat exchangers is that of leaking body flange connections. Often, these problem flanges will pass ASME VIII-1 code checks, with flange rigidity values substantially less than 1.0. Clearly, flange leak performance is not simply a question of flange thickness/rigidity, but also of gasket selection, torqueing procedures, and thermal/pressure operation swings. This presentation will explore some of the recent work in the area of design validation, and discuss how to evaluate a current or existing design for service conditions or upsets that could lead to leaks. Remediation and analysis strategies will be discussed, including considerations for gasket changes, bolt modifications, and more aggressive options that are available.