Weakest point of the pipeline
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This post was last edited by yusmile on 2011-9-10 15:36. May I ask, in a pipeline, what is the weakest part (under pressure)? Is it the flange? Could you please answer and explain it?
Reply to 1# clock.zsf: It definitely isn’t a flange! Generally, the pressure is higher in areas where the flow velocity changes, such as at junctions with varying diameters, small elbows, or orifice plates!
It is usually the flow meter or the part with the smallest pipe diameter
Elbows, tees, and reducers are areas where fluids tend to cause turbulence and erosion, leading to a thinning of the pipe wall； In pipes under high pressure, the flange area is also prone to leaks
It should be at the elbow; the momentum changes there
I think it should be valves, elbows, tees, crosses, etc
Thinning can occur wherever friction increases during the flow process. Based on my experience in production, leaks tend to occur at points where there are changes in diameter, direction, pressure, or at joints.
Reply 1# clock.zsf: It is usually at the elbow area or where stress concentration occurs
If the pressure is not very high, it will not cause the metal pipes to rupture; therefore, the flow meter, sight glass, and flange connections are the weakest points. Flange connections are sealed using non-metallic gaskets; if the gaskets are not flat, damaged, or if the screws are not tightened properly or are misaligned, leaks can occur. They are also prone to damage under pressure. Moreover, in winter, these gaskets can be torn when they freeze. For high sealing requirements, use metal gaskets. The glass in the flow meter and sight glass can be crushed under pressure, and the joints between the glass and metal are prone to leakage.
Thinning can occur wherever friction increases during the flow process. Based on my experience in production, leaks tend to occur at points where there are changes in diameter, direction, pressure, or at joints.
Personally, I think welds should also be taken into consideration; although the strength of a qualified weld is higher than that of the base material, there are too many factors that can affect quality during welding. Therefore, when the device first starts operating, it is the welds that tend to cause problems the most.