Flange seal
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There is currently a fixed-tube-sheet heat exchanger with a diameter of 2200 mm and a design pressure of 3.52 MPa. The flanges of the tube box were designed in accordance with JB/T4703, and the gaskets were also designed based on JB/T4705, with a thickness of 4.5 mm. However, during the review, the supervisor said that gaskets of such size and thinness would need to be custom-made and were prone to damage; it would be better to rely on the sealing properties of the flanges themselves. I just want to ask how to achieve sealing for this flange itself.
I have a flange ring with a diameter of 1.6 meters, a width of 80 mm and a thickness of 40 mm; it is used to seal an annular water channel with a ring of bolts. The water pressure is 0.3–0.4 MPa, and gaskets cannot be used. Grooves can be machined on the flange; I am now considering using sealant. Could you please recommend a specific type? I have used polyurethane sealant before, but I heard that it isn’t suitable for use in wet environments. Do you have any other suggestions?
The flange itself provides only limited sealing performance. It is recommended to either purchase a ready-made solution or acquire the materials needed to make one oneself. In cases where it is done manually, asbestos gaskets or rubber gaskets are usually used; other options require custom fabrication
For flanges and gaskets, follow the standards; pay attention to the type of flange sealing surface and the nominal pressure, and select the appropriate gasket accordingly. Generally, efforts are made to use materials that have already been used within the own factory, whether they are purchased from outside or produced internally; however, the key requirement is that they meet the specified standards. Regarding the thickness of the gasket, it may vary depending on the material used.