Flange Insulating Gasket Kits for Industrial Application

What is Flange Insulation Kit?

The most common problematic area for a Piping/Pipeline System design is flanges. So we have to be doubly sure to seal it properly to prevent flange leakage. At the same time, It must also be insulated cathodically so that stray currents which are known behind the undue corrosion and eventual metallic breakdown be prevented. Insulating gasket sets or Flange insulation kits play an important role in such cases.

• They are designed for electrically insulating the flanges.
• They act as an insulator between dissimilar metallic flanges.
• Also, they are used to isolate sections of pipework (dissimilar metals) electrically in the cathodic protection systems; thus preventing the electrostatic charge flow along the pipelines as they remove the possibility of galvanic cell system creation.

Major Applications of Insulating Gasket Kit

Insulating gasket kits can be used in all such places where galvanic corrosion protection and electrical insulation is needed. Common Application areas are piping/pipeline systems with seawater environments, offshore installations, chemical installations, oil refinery pipelines, etc.

Components of Flange Insulation Kit

Each flange insulation Kit constitutes of

• one central flat or oval section gasket,
• one insulation sleeve per bolt and
• two insulating steel washers per bolt and
• two plated steel washers per bolt.

All these components are produced using special materials possessing chemical stability, dielectric properties, and low water absorption so that the purpose is solved. The full sets are packed individually and labeled clearly mentioning the flange size, rating, type and material combination. Insulation kits are generally available till 24 inches, but custom made higher nominal sizes can be produced on the requirement.

Assembling of the components

Polyethylene insulating sleeve and the mounting stud are the main components of the insulating gasket kit. Contrary to the conventional nut and bolt system of flanged joints, the insulation kit uses a stud with a washer and nut on each end of the flange joint. The insulating sleeve is then inserted into the bolt holes using one insulator on each side of the flange. So, Two insulators per bolt hole are inserted into the flange. Then the mounting stud is inserted into the insulating sleeves until threads on each end of the stud are visible outside of the flange. A flat steel washer is slid onto the stud at each end, and a nut is threaded onto each end of the stud and tightened.

As a nut is tightened on each end of the stud, the flange insulation kit becomes much stronger than the typical nut-and-bolt type connection. In the traditional manner nut-bolt tightening, all of the clamping force is applied to the single set of threads on the bolt while in case of a double-ended stud such as in a flange insulation kit, the clamping force is divided equally between the threads on each end of the stud as well as inside both nuts. The stud is protected and insulated from any electric charge and corrosion. This creates a flanged connection that will not corrode or fail due to a chemical reaction between two dissimilar metals.

Types of Insulating Gasket

Four major types of gasket isolation kits are available in the market those are designated as F, E, D, & O. Each type of flange kit fits flanges with a specific type of flange faces (RF, FF, RTJ).

F Type Gasket

Type F type gaskets are produced to fit the raised face flanges. The inside diameter of the bolt hole circle is made slightly smaller than the external diameter of the gasket which assures automatic positioning of the gasket. To avoid the accumulation of foreign materials, Special band protectors can be used to the joint assembly to strengthen the cathodic isolation further. These are manufactured from 1/8″ thick fabric-based phenolic sheet either without coating or a with a nitrile rubber coating on the two faces. Type F gaskets are also available in non-asbestos fibers with high isolation capacity.

E Type gasket

In full-face type, Type “E” Gaskets, the outside diameter of gasket matches with an external diameter of the flanges. So the gasket completely covers the whole flange surface. There are produced with precision-located bolt holes and easy to position in the center. This design will prevent foreign material accumulation between the flange faces and thus enhances the isolation properties of the kit. Type E flange insulation kits are available in phenolic, neoprene-faced phenolic, and high-temperature materials.

D Type Gasket

Type “D” Gaskets are manufactured to fit into the ring groove of RTJ flanges (style R, RX, and BX). They are available in medium weave reinforced phenolic and other materials are sized to ANSI specifications available in a basic oval as well as an octagonal shape. This type of gasket is known as an “API ring joint”.

O Type gasket

Type O Gaskets are extra special as they feature an additional sealing element on both sides of the device, generally, PTFE, Nitrile or Viton Rubber, and are available in both ring and full-face design (type E and F).

Insulating gasket Material

• All materials should be selected to assure long term effective sealing and electrical insulation of the flanged joints.
• To take advantage of the best characteristics, sometimes, gaskets are made with combinations of materials.

Normal Gasket materials are G3, G7, Nitrile-Face, Plain Phenolic, G10, Neoprene faced Phenolic, Klinger, Teflon, Durlon, etc. Popular Sleeve materials are Phenolic, Mylar, Polyethylene, Minlon, or Nomex. Common washer materials are Phenolic, Steel, G7, G3, or G10 available as a single washer and sleeve kit, a one-piece washer kit, a double washer kit or a one-piece double washer kit (Minlon)

Sleeves and Washers

One-piece sleeves and washers

One-piece sleeves and washers are available molded from acetal resin. They should generally be used as single washer sets since they are molded to specific lengths and are in many instances longer than the thickness of a single flange. They are available for bolt diameters of ?” to 1-1/2″ (12.7 mm to 38.1 mm), and are limited to applications where the flange temperature does not exceed +180^oF (+80^oC).

A special feature is a washer centering ring that positions the steel washer on the unit properly to avoid uneven pressures on the washers.

Insulating Washers

Standard insulating washers are made of high strength phenolic and provide tough, positive insulation at temperatures to +300^oF ( +150^oC). They are available for bolt sizes from ?” (12.7 mm) through 3 ?” (88.9 mm) and are made to fit over the insulating sleeves. Fiberglass reinforced high temperature phenolic insulating washers are available on special order in the same sizes as the standard insulating washers

Insulating Sleeves

Insulating sleeves are available in Mylar, polyethylene, phenolic, and Nomex. They are through 3-1/2″ (88.9 mm) and are designed to fit easily over the flange bolts, and may be used with standard-sized bolts and bolt holes even with some misalignment. Insulating sleeves are used with separate insulating washers and have a standard wall thickness of 1/32″ (0.79 mm). They are available for standard American bolt sizes from ?” (12.7 mm) to 3 ?” (88.9 mm), as well as metric bolt sizes from 12 mm and larger.

Steel Washers

Steel washers are designed to fit over the insulating sleeve or retainer ring on the one-piece sleeves and washers. The outside diameter is sized to fit within the bolt facing on ANSI standard flanges. They are of 1/8″ (3.2 mm) thick plated hot-rolled steel. Pyrox insulating sleeves and washers are also available.

Installation procedure

The Gasket ID (inside diameter) is normally made slightly smaller than the flange ID. While installing ensure that the gasket is properly centered over the bore. It will prevent the build-up of foreign material between the flange faces during pigging.  

Single washer insulating sets are recommended for underground flanges. This should be installed on the unprotected side of the flange, which will provide cathodic protection for the studs as well as nuts. For above-ground flanges, It is suggested to use Double washers for The use of alignment pins is always suggested that will ensure proper alignment of flanges and gasket. The size of each Pin shall be a minimum of 3/32″ (2.38 mm) larger than the bolt.  

A diagram showing a recommended bolt tightening sequence is normally supplied with each insulating gasket set.

Common Vendors for Insulating Gasket Kits

Common vendors who manufacture and supply insulating gaskets are

• PSI
• Pikotek
• Central Plastics
• Garlock
• Trojan
• Lemons
• Advance Products and Systems

Information for Ordering

To order an insulating gasket kit, the following information needs to be provided:

• Flange Specification (ANSI/ASME, DIN, API, MSS SP44, BSI, AWWA Standard)
• Nominal Pipe Size, Pressure Rating, and Bore Size
• Operating Pressure, Temperature, and Media
• Gasket type (D/E/F/O)
• Required Seal Material
• Isolating Sleeve Material
• Isolating Washer Material
• Metal Washer Material
• Quantity

Reference

• https://blog.projectmaterials.com/flanges/flange-isolation-kit/