SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManual

DESIGNERSMANUAL

VectorInternationalDoc.No.A10601,Rev.3

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManual

Contents

SECTION1:

GENERALDESCRIPTIONOFTHESPOCOMPACTFLANGE

SECTION2:

INSTALLATIONANDASSEMBLYPROCEDURE

SECTION3:

FLANGEDIMENSIONS

SECTION4:

SEALRING/GROOVEDIMENSIONS

SECTION5:

WEIGHTSEACHFLANGE

SECTION6:

LENGTHOFSTUDBOLTS

SECTION7:

BOLTWEIGHTS

SECTION8:

ASSEMBLYWEIGHTS

SECTION9:

COMPARISON

SECTION10:

PRESSURETEMPERATURERATINGS

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManual

SPOCompactFlange:Designer'sManual

Revisedissue

21.06.05

TBJ

SL

InternalReview

20.06.05

TBJ

Revisedissue

12.11.03

TBJ

SL

SL

InternalReview

28.08.03

TBJ

SL

Revisedissue(Doc.no.B26/96)

30.11.00

MHA

BO

SL

InternalReview

30.05.97

FK

InternalReview

23.01.97

FK

GLa

REV.

REASONFORISSUE

ISSUEDATE

PREPARED

CHECKED

DocumentTitle

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner's
Manual

Doc.No.

SPO

A10601
Page

FK/TBJ
Noofpages

11

29

APPROVAL

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Section1:

GeneralDescriptionofthe
SPOCompactFlange

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|3

Contents

0. HOWTOSELECTFLANGES.................................................................................................5
FLANGERATINGSANDCAPACITIES.........................................................................................5
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................6
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

SCOPE..................................................................................................................................6
BACKGROUND.......................................................................................................................6
MAINFEATURES.....................................................................................................................6
APPLICATION.........................................................................................................................7
NORSOKL005...................................................................................................................7
SERVICES..............................................................................................................................7

2. REFERENCES8
3. ABBREVIATIONS...............................................................................................................9
4. SPOCOMPACTFLANGE...................................................................................................10
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

HOWITWORKS!..................................................................................................................10
SEALRINGANDGROOVE........................................................................................................10
SWIVELFLANGES..................................................................................................................11
INTEGRALFLANGES...............................................................................................................11

5. COMPACTFLANGETECHNOLOGY...................................................................................12
5.1 CONNECTORSTRENGTH.........................................................................................................12
5.2 SEALINGINTEGRITY...............................................................................................................12
5.3 FATIGUESTRENGTH...............................................................................................................12
5.4 FIRESAFETY.........................................................................................................................12
5.5 CORROSION........................................................................................................................13
5.6 EROSION............................................................................................................................13
5.7 MAINTENANCEANDINSPECTION.............................................................................................13
5.8 WATERLOCKING..................................................................................................................13
5.9 SPOCOMPACTFLANGETHEOBVIOUSCHOICE..................................................................13
5.9.1 Enhancedsealingreliability......................................................................................13
5.9.2 Reducedspaceandweight.......................................................................................13
5.9.3 IXsealring................................................................................................................13
5.9.4 Easierandquickermakeupandinstallation...........................................................14
5.9.5 Lowerlifecyclecosts................................................................................................14
6. TRANSPORTATION,STORAGE,HANDLINGANDFABRICATION........................................15
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4

TRANSPORTATIONANDSTORAGE.............................................................................................15
HANDLING..........................................................................................................................15
WELDINGOFFLANGESTOPIPEENDSOREQUIPMENT...................................................................15
SURFACEPREPARATIONANDCOATING......................................................................................15

7. EXTERNALLOADING.......................................................................................................16
7.1

AXIALLOADSANDBENDINGMOMENT.......................................................................................16

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7.2
7.3

TORSIONANDSHEAR.............................................................................................................16
THERMALSHOCK..................................................................................................................16

8. SPOCOMPACTFLANGEAPPLICATIONDATA...................................................................17
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9

MATERIALS.........................................................................................................................17
PRESSURECLASSESANDSIZES..................................................................................................18
FLANGETYPESANDDESIGNATIONS...........................................................................................18
SEALRINGDESIGNATION........................................................................................................19
FLANGEDIMENSIONSANDWEIGHTS.........................................................................................19
BOLTLENGTHSANDWEIGHTS..................................................................................................20
MAINDIMENSIONSANDWEIGHTSINCLUDINGASSEMBLYWEIGHTS.................................................20
WELDNECKDIMENSIONS.......................................................................................................20
LOADCAPACITY....................................................................................................................20

9. INFORMATIONTOBESUPPLIEDBYPURCHASER.............................................................21
10. AVAILABILITY...............................................................................................................21
11. SERVICES 21

AppendixA):Figures

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|5

0. HOWTOSELECTFLANGES

FLANGERATINGSANDCAPACITIES

VectorInternationalcandeterminethecapacityofSPOCompactFlangesaccordingtoa
numberofstandardssuchasASMEVIII,Div.2,Appendix4;EN134453andASMEB31.3.

Thetablesandinteractionequationsincludedinthisbookareforassistanceinflangeselection
andareapproximateinnaturetendingtotheconservativeside.Thesetablesareaccordingto
NORSOKL005(basedonASMEVIII,Div.2)andalsocomplywithASME31.3,andapplytoweld
neckflangesonly.

FinalverificationofthecapacityoftheselectedflangesshouldbeperformedbyVector
Internationalonreceivingtheorder.Relevantloadcombinationsshouldbespecified.

ThepressureratingsarebasedonthecapacitiesaccordingtoASME/ANSIandincorporatethe
sameallowanceforundeterminedpipeworkforcesasANSIB16.5(itemD1.2).

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1
Scope
TheSPOCompactFlangestandardarecircularflangesforpipes,valves,fittings,pressure
vesselsandaccessories.ThisDesignersManualcoversthefullperformancedataapplicableto
theSPOCompactFlange,includingthefollowingmainitems:

Flangedescriptionandmainfeatures
Handling,storage,transportationandfabrication
Flangedimensionaldataandweighttables
Flangepressure/temperatureandexternalloadcapacities
Selectionguidelines
Order/quotationprocedure
Installationandmaintenance

Thisdataisapplicabletoweldneck,blind,swivelandintegralflangeinadditiontolineblanks
inClassdesignations:Class150,300,600,900,1500,2500,and4500Intermediateandnominal
sizesfromNPStoNPS48(DN15toDN1200).NotethatClass2500and4500Intermediate
flangeshavearangefromNPStoNPS24(DN15toDN600).Itisapplicabletoforgedflanges
ofstandardsupplyalthoughplatescanbeusedforblindflangesandbarstockmaterialsfor
smallersizes.Flangesintegralwithassociatedequipment(bothcastandforged)arecoveredby
thisusermanual.Dataarealsoprovidedfortheflangebolting,sealringsandcomparisonwith
conventionalconnectors.
1.2
Background
TheSPOCompactFlangeisaflangedconnectordevelopedbyVectorInternationalAS.
SPOCompactFlangesareforpipes,valves,fittings,pressurevesselsandaccessories.TheSPO
CompactFlangewasfirstusedforareliefwellriserin19871988andsubsequentlyfor
productionrisersandexportrisers.Sincethen,SPOCompactFlangeshavebeenusedfora
numberofdemandingapplicationssuchastitaniumdrillingrisers,flexiblerisers,heat
exchangers,processplants,nuclearreactorsandsubseainstallations.VectorInternationalhas
developedastandardrangeofcompactflanges.Thesestandardizedflangeshavebeen
engineeredwithgoodcapacitytoaccommodateexternalloads,valveneckconfigurationsand
standardmakeuptools.
1.3
Mainfeatures
TheSPOCompactFlangesprovideanalternativetoconventionalflangesofferingthe
advantageofbeingsmallerandlighterandhavingsuperiorsealingandloadcarryingcapability.
Theyprovideacostefficientandtechnicallysuperiormethodofconnectingpipeworkand
associatedequipment.

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1.4
Application
TheSPOCompactFlangehasbeenusedinmanyapplicationsthroughoutavarietyofdifferent
industries.Thefollowingisapartiallistofexistingandpotentialserviceapplications:

Oilandgasproductionpipelines,flowlines,risers,injectionsystems,manifolds,well
heads,separators,processmodules.
Petrochemicalrefiningandprocessing.
OEMvalves,fittings,vesselclosures,heattransferequipment,separatorsandpumps.
Nuclearplant.

Over30.000SPOCompactFlanges(2002)fromsizes60arenowinoperation.Thereisno
recordedleakageduringservicesincethefirstflangewasinstalledin1989tothepresentday.

1.5
NORSOKL005
TheNORSOKstandardL005chapter5ProductStandardisbasedontheSPOCompactFlange.
AllnominaldimensionsofflangesinL005areidenticalwiththeSPOCompactFlange.Hence
theSPOCompactFlangemeetsallrequirementsintheNORSOKstandard.

1.6
Services
Anyclarificationrequiredshouldbeaddressedto:

VectorInternationalAS
P.O.Box2176
NO3003Drammen
Norway

Phone:
Telefax:
Email:

(+47)32209300
(+47)32810464
SPO@vectorint.com

Normalofficehoursarefrom08.00hrs.to15.30hrsfromMondaytoFriday.Ifindoubtplease
consultVectorInternational.

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|8

2. REFERENCES
Standardsandspecificationsadoptedbyreferencesinthismanualare:

ANSIB1.1
Unifiedinchscrewthreads.
ASME/ANSIB18.2.2 Squareandhexnuts(inchseries).
ANSIB36.10M
Weldedandseamlesswroughtsteelpipe.
ASMEB16.5
Pipeflangesandflangedfittings.
ASMEB16.10
Facetofaceandendtoenddimensionsofvalves.
ASMEB16.34
Valvesflanged,threaded,andweldingend.
ASMEB16.47
Largediametersteelflanges.
ASMEB31.3
ProcessPiping.
ASMESectionVIII
RulesforconstructionofpressurevesselsDiv.2
AlternativerulesAppendix6and4.
ISO27681
Generaltolerances.Part1:Tolerancesforlinearandangular
dimensionswithoutindividualtoleranceindications.
ISO4200
Plainendsteeltubes,weldedandseamless.Generaltables
ofdimensionsperunitlength.
ISO9001:2000
QualitySystem.Requirements.
EN134453
UnfiredpressurevesselsPart3:Design
NORSOKL005
Compactflangedconnections

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3. ABBREVIATIONS

ASME
ASTM
BL
Class
DN
IF
ISO
IX
NPS
PB
PN
PS
RI
RT
SB
SC
SR
SW
WN

AmericanSocietyforMechanicalEngineers
AmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials
Blindflange
ANSIpressureclass(psi)
Nominalsizeofpipe(metricunits)
Integralflangeaspartofsomeotherequipmentorcomponent
InternationalStandardizationOrganization
Sealringdesignation
Nominalpipesize(inch)
Paddleblank
Nominalpressure,seeabove(bar)
Paddlespacer
Rigidinterfacefacewithstuddedbolts
Roomtemperature
Spectacleblind
Swivelcollarforwelding
Swivelring
Swivelflangewhichincludesswivelcollarandswivelring
Weldneckflange

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4. SPOCOMPACTFLANGE
TheSPOCompactFlangesystemcomprisesflanges,sealsandbolting(Figure1)andreplaces
conventionalANSI,API,BS,DIN,MSSandUNIflangesbutatreducedweight,overall
dimensionsandcostsinadditiontoincreasedsealingreliability.
4.1
Howitworks!
Acompleteweldneckconnectorassemblyconsistsoftwoweldneckflanges,asealringanda
setofstudboltswithheavyhexnuts.ThisisshowninFigure1.Alternativelyitmayconsistof
oneweldneckflangeandaswivelflangeorablind,etc.Theprincipalfeatureoftheflangeis
theflangefacegeometryandprovisionofadoublemetalseal.Thisdoublemetalsealisa
primaryfeatureoftheconnection.Theredundantdoublesealisasafetyfeaturemakingthis
connectionanorderofmagnitudesaferthanatypicalsinglesealsystem.

Theflangefaceincludesaslightlyconvexbevelwiththehighestpoint,calledtheheel,adjacent
totheboreandasmallouterwedgearoundtheouterdiameteroftheflange.TheSPO
CompactFlangeweldneckconnectorismadeupbytightening/tensioningtheflangebolting
whichpullsthetwoconnectorhalves(weldnecks)together.Axialforcesareexertedonthe
taperofthemetalsealringandtranslatedintoaradialsealingforce.Furthermorewith
increasedpreloadisthebevelclosedandfacetofacecontactisachievedattheouterwedge
whilemostoftheboltpreloadistransferredascompressiveforcesbetweentheflangefacesat
theheel,seeFigure1.ThearrowsinFigure1indicatetheappliedforces/pressureandthe
contactforcesaftermakeupandduringnormaloperation.Asealiscreatedbyapplicationof
thissealseatingstressattheflangeheel.Throughoutthecompleterangeofnormaloperating
loadsacontactstressinexcessoftheoperationalpressureismaintainedattheheelseal
location.Theflangealsoremainsincontactalongitsoutercircumferenceattheflangefaces.
Finallythereisanelasticsealringwhichiscompressedradially.Thesealringforceisprovided
bytheelasticstoredenergyinthestressedsealring.Anyaccidentalheelleakagewillgivea
internalpressureactingonthesealringinsideintensifyingthesealingaction.

ThemaindesignfeaturesaresummarisedinFigure2.Thebackfaceoftheflangeinthemade
uppositionisparalleltotheflangefaceinordertopreventbendingoftheboltsinthe
assembledcondition.
4.2
Sealringandgroove
Thereisonlyonesealringsizeforeachpipesizeregardlessofflangepressurerating,pipe
scheduleandmaterial.Itisnonloadcarryinginordertoensureagainstloadinducedseal
damageandpromotecouplingstability.Whentheflangesarepulledtogetherduringassembly,
theringisassistingthefinalalignmentofthejoint.Overtensioningofboltswillnotdamage
thesealring.

Theringwithstandrepeatedinstallationsinthesamegroove.Thesealringsarefrequently
reuseduptotentimes,i.e.contactforceswillnotcauseanyplasticdeformationofneitherring
norgroovewhicharedetrimentalforthesealingperformance.

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4.3
Swivelflanges
Inordertosolvetheproblemofboltholealignmentduringsubseapipeinstallation,Vector
Internationalhavedevelopedaswivelflange.Thisconnectorfeaturestwopiececonstruction
consistingofaswivelringwhichswivels(360rotation)aroundtheswivelcollar,seeFigure3,
whichallowsforeasyalignmentoftheflangeboltholes.

Inadditiontosubseapipeconnections,theseflangesarealsowellsuitedformaking
connectionstoOEMequipmentsuchasvalves,compressors,pressurevesselsandpumps.
Swivelflangeseliminatethetimeconsumingpracticeoftwoholing,aprocedurecommonly
usedtoassureflangetoflangeboltholealignmentbetweentwoopposingpiecesof
equipment.

TheswivelringcanasanoptionbeextendedasindicatedbythedashedlineinFigure3,ifitis
requiredtoclosetheflangedconnection.Inordertosavecost,carbonsteelswivelringsmay
beusedincombinationwithmoreexoticmaterialsintheswivelcollars(notforsubsea).
4.4
Integralflanges
TheintegralflangesfulfillstheminimumwallthicknessrequirementsgiveninASME/ANSI
B16.34.Thenutcanalwaysbetightenedbyasocketspannerensuringthatavalvetovalve
interfacemakeupwithSPOCompactFlangealwaysispossible.Themaindimensionsofthe
standardSPOCompactFlangesareallwithintheenvelopeofstandardASMEB16.5andASME
B16.47flanges.Dimensionsforendflangesarereadilyavailabletoensurecompletepiping
systemcompatibility.Majorvalvemanufacturescoveringthefollowingvalvetypes:ball,gate,
check,globe,choke,plugandbutterflyvalveshaveconfirmedthattheycanuseaSPO
CompactFlangeontheirvalves.

TheintegralflangemaximumneckouterdiameteristabulatedinSection3:Flangedimensions.
However,thiscanbereducedtostandardpipeODasindicatedbytheletterAinFigure3.
LargerneckODcanalsobeused,however,accessforthemakeuptoolshouldbechecked.

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5. COMPACTFLANGETECHNOLOGY
TheSPOCompactFlangedesignhasbeendevelopedthroughveryextensivetestingand
analysis.Inadditionthestandardrangeofcompactflangeshavebeenthoroughlyassessedto
ensureapplicabilityinallconventionaluses,easyhandlingandsimpleinstallationwith
conventionaltools.
5.1
Connectorstrength
ExtensivefullscaletestshavebeenperformedatDnV.Thesetestshaveincludedcombined
internalpressure,axialtensionandmomentloadingtofailureaswellasstressanalysisand
fatigue.DnVhasalsoperformedtraditionalbursttestsaswellaspressuretestswithnitrogen
andfiretests.TestsandevaluationshavealsobeenperformedbyBritishGasandConoco.

Thisveryextensivetestinghasbeenparalleledbyveryextensivefiniteelementanalysis
coveringallrelevantconsiderationssuchasultimatestrength,loadcyclingandshakedown,
stressanalysis,contactsealperformance,sealringperformanceandbolttensioning.This
analysishasbeencorrelatedwiththetestresultstogiveanextremelythorough
documentationofthecompactflangeconnectorsresponseandcapacity.Fewconnectorshave
beenasthoroughlydocumentedastheSPOCompactFlange.

5.2
Sealingintegrity
TheSPOCompactFlangefeaturestwometalsealsinseries,whicharebasedoncompletely
differentdesigns.Theflexibleringisprestresseddiametricallyandindependentofprestress
aftertheflangeshavebeenmated.Thesecondsealisprovidedbythehighseatingstress
createdbytheprestressattheheelwhentheflangesareinitiallymated.Asaconsequence
theirfailuremodeshaveverylittlecorrelation.Thisprovidesahighdegreeofredundancyand
averyhighdegreeofreliabilityagainstleakage.Similarreliabilitylevelscanonlybeachieved
withweldedconnections.Theperformanceofthesesealshasbeenverifiedintests.Testshave
alsoincludedmakeup,breakoutandinterchangeabilitytestsin15cyclesverifyingthatseal
ringscanbereused.
5.3
Fatiguestrength
TheSPOCompactFlangeswillnormallyhavefatiguestrengthexceedingthatoftheadjoining
girthweldedpipesection.Inconventionalflangeconnectionstheboltswillbeextremely
susceptibletofatiguedamage.TheprestressednonseparatingdesignoftheSPOCompact
Flangesachievesverysmallstressrangesintheboltswellbelowthefatiguelimitforabase
material.Thestressconcentrationintheoptimizedflangefilletislowandthestress
concentrationduetotheflangegeometryatthegirthweldlocationisnegligible.
5.4
Firesafety
FiretestinghasbeenperformedforSPOCompactFlangesbyDnV.DnVconsiderAPI6FB,Part2
(1992)tobeinadequateresultinginexistingpipeconnectionsnotbeingfiresafe.SPOCompact
Flangesweremorerigorouslytested,e.g.whereAPIrequire1burnerDnVused4burnerswith
thesametemperature,holdperiodsandpressure/momentsasrequiredbyAPI.Theresults
weresuccessfulandconclusive.TheSPOCompactFlangehasahighcapacityinfireexposure.
Thetestdatacanbeusedtoevaluaterelevantfireexposure.

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|13

5.5
Corrosion
Theconnectoraccommodatesinternalcorrosionallowanceswithoutaffectingthesealing
performance.TheIXsealringisnotexposedtointernalorexternalmediaandnocorrosion
appearbetweensealringandgroove.Corrosiontestandserviceexperiencesshowsthat
sealingsurfaces,flangefaces,sealringsandclampedpartsofboltsarefreefromcorrosion.No
weldoverlayshouldthereforeberequiredforcarbonsteelforaggressivemedia,i.e.well
stream,producedwater,waterinjectionorfirewatersystems.
5.6
Erosion
Thecompactflangeisofstreamlinetypedesignwithnosignificantcreviceordiscontinuityin
thebore.Theflangeiscorrespondinglyresistanttoerosiondamage.
5.7
Maintenanceandinspection
Thedirectflangefacetoflangefacecontactwithloadtransferbetweensolidflangefaces
eliminatestheriskofreducedboltprestressduetotimeorloaddependentsealorgasket
deformations,flangewarpingoverloadorotherphenomena.Boltretighteningisnotrequired.

Thesealsandclamppartsoftheboltsarelocatedinaprotecteddryenvironment.
Furthermore,thesealringisnotexposedtoloadfluctuations,frettingmotionsorotherseal
degradingeffects.Sealandboltreplacementisthereforenotexpectedtoberequired.

Inspectionwithrespecttoexternalcorrosionshouldbeasforconventionalflanges.
5.8
Waterlocking
Underwatertestingandsubseainstallationshavedocumentedthatwaterlockingdoesnot
occurwiththeSPOCompactFlange.
5.9
SPOCompactFlangeTHEOBVIOUSCHOICE
ThestandardSPOCompactFlangeshasthefollowingmaintechnicalandcommercialbenefits
comparedtoconventionalconnectors:
5.9.1 Enhancedsealingreliability
ConventionalflangedconnectorsaccordingtoBS,DIN,ANSIandAPIstandardstypicallyhavea
lowreliabilityagainstleakagecomparedtogirthweldedpipes.SPOCompactFlangeshave
beenacceptedandusedforpipingandriserswheregirthweldedpipestraditionallyhavebeen
used.
5.9.2 Reducedspaceandweight
SPOCompactFlangesofferasignificantweightandspacesavingoverconventionalflanged
connectors,seeattachedtables.Typicalweightsavingis6575%.TheSPOCompactFlange
diameterisalwayssmallerthenclamptypeconnectors,whenclampdimensionsare
considered.Thesmallerdiameterpermitsmorecloselypackedpiperuns,smalleropeningsfor
pipeaccess,easierreelingandeasiertrenchingorburial.
5.9.3 IXsealring
TheIXsealringwillwithstandrepeatedinstallationsduetoitselasticsealcharacteristics.The
standardserieshasonlyonegrooveandIXsealringperpipesize,independentofpressure

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|14

class.Thisreducesthenumberofsealringtypestoaminimum.Conventionalflangesand
clamptypeconnectorsnecessitatestockingdifferentsealringstocoverforboththepipe
scheduleandpressureratingoftheconnectorwithinagivenpipesize.
5.9.4 Easierandquickermakeupandinstallation
TheSPOCompactFlangesreducedweightandsizealloweasierhandlingandassembly.The
controlledflangerotation(facetofacecontact)preventsflangeabusebyovertensioningof
thebolts.Closingoftheoutergapisanindicationofthatcorrectpreloadhasbeenachieved.

Reducedconnectorsizeleavesmoreroomfortheoperatorandthetooling,andthesmaller
diameterboltingallowslighterweighttoolingtobeused.Experienceshowscorrespondingly
shortermakeuptimeforSPOCompactFlangesthanforconventionalflanges,atypicalvalueis
50%less.
5.9.5 Lowerlifecyclecosts
Capitalcost
1. Reducedinitialcost.
2. Lowerhandling,installationandtransportationcostsduetoreducedweightand
dimensions.
3. Reducedweightandcostforloadcarryingstructures,i.e.mainsteelintopsidedeck
structure.

Operatingcost
1. Maintenancefreeconnections(noboltrelaxation,nocreviceorstresscorrosion,noseal
replacement).
2. Periodicmaintenanceofinstalledequipment(e.g.valves,separators)atreducedcostasseal
ringscanbereusedandmanhoursformakeupandbreakoutislowerandhencesystem
downtimetimeisshorter.

Costofdeferredproduction
Systemdowntimecostduetoflangefailureisnegligibleduetothesuperiorsealing
performance.

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6. TRANSPORTATION,STORAGE,HANDLINGANDFABRICATION
6.1
Transportationandstorage
Whenflangesareshippedtheyarepackedwithflangefaceprotectors.Thisprotectionshallbe
maintainedinplaceinordertoavoidscratches,indentations,etc.thatwillbedetrimentalto
thesealingintegrityoftheflange.Uponreceivaltheprotectionshouldbeinspected.Ifithas
beendamageditshouldberemovedandtheflangefaceinspectedfordamagetothesealing
faces,i.e.theheel,wedgeandgrooveouterdiameterface.Anyminordamageshouldbemade
goodinaccordancewiththerepairproceduresinthisdocument.Adamageflangeface
protectorshouldbereplacedimmediately.Transportationandstorageshouldbeperformed
onpalletswiththeflangefaceup.

Theflangefacemustnotbepainted,asthiswillimpairthesealingperformanceoftheflange.
Topreventcorrosiontheflangefaceshouldbecoatedwithgreaseduringstorageand
transportation.Preservationsontheflangefaces,whicharedifficulttoremove,shouldnotbe
used.I.e.mechanicalmeansofremovalshallnotbeusedonflangesealingfaces.

Flanges,sealringsandbolts,regardlessofmaterialtype,shouldbestoredindoororunder
coveruntilintendeduse.Thesealringsandboltsshouldbestoredinoriginalpackinguntilfinal
installation.
6.2
Handling
Whenliftingandhandlingcompactflangescareshouldbetakentoavoiddamagetoseal
surfaces.Slingsshouldpreferablynotbearontosealsurfacesorweldpreparationssuchaswill
occurifthreadedthroughtheboltholes.Softslingscanbeusedforliftingsingleflanges,and
wires,chainsandsimilarhardandangularcomponentsshouldbeavoided.Boltordowels
throughtheboltholesaresuitableforlifting.Ifspecified,threadedholesforliftingeyescanbe
providedonthesidefaceofflanges.Liftingofprefabricatedpipespoolsintheflangebolt
holes,flangeliftingpoints,etc.shouldnotbedone.
6.3
Weldingofflangestopipeendsorequipment
Thestandardweldneckflangeisprovidedwithastandardweldbevelpreparationforwelding,
e.g.ASME/ANSIB16.5.Thecompactflangesmaybeweldedtopipingandothercomponent
equipmentbyestablishedweldingprocedures.Initialfitupandalignmenttolerancesusedin
thefabricationofconventionalANSIflangesarealsoacceptablefortheSPOCompactFlange.
Duringwelding,careshouldbetakentoprotectthesealingfacesfromanydamage,i.e.,
scratchingandweldsplatter.Protecttheflangefaceagainstoxidationduringwelding,post
weldheattreatmentandotherheatingoftheflanges.
6.4
Surfacepreparationandcoating
Theflangefacesmustbeprotectedduringgritblastingandcleaningoperationstoprevent
contaminationofthesurface.Theflangefacesmustalsobeprotectedduringsuchprocessesas
painting,waxingandthermalsprayingofmetalliccoating.Particularcareshouldbetakento
checkthatthesealingsurfacesarecompletelyclean.Paintsandcoatingsontherearfaceof
theflangeinthenutbearingareasandbearingareasforswivelflangesshouldberemoved.

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7. EXTERNALLOADING
7.1
Axialloadsandbendingmoment
Connectorsoperatingwithintheirclassceilingpressuresforstandardmaterialhaveresidual
capacitytoaccommodateexternalloadssuchasaxialandbendingmomentloads.
Conventionalflangeconnectorssubjecttobendingtendtoseparate.Thisresultinareduction
ofthegasketseatingloadsonconventionalsealsandmayresultinleakage.TheSPOCompact
Flangeconnectoriscapableofwithstandhigherbendingloadsthanconventionalflanges
beforeleakagestarts.AstheIXsealringispressureenergisedthereisaneedtomaintaina
constantsealelementcompressiveforceandthis,coupledwiththemechanicaladvantageof
thewedgingactionoftheflangemakeup,meanstheconnectionisrelativelyinsensitiveto
separationforces.

Becausetheflangefacecontactareaislargerthanthecrosssectionoftheadjoiningpipe
compressiveaxialloadsincombinationwiththecompressiveloadsformthebendingmoment
havenoeffectontheconnectorcapacity.Onlyaxialforcesandtensionloadsfromthebending
momentneedstobeconsidered.
7.2
Torsionandshear
Torsionmomentsandshearloadsareinitiallyresistedbyfrictionforcesbetweentheflange
faces.Shouldthetorsionmomentorshearloadbeofsufficientmagnitudesuchthatslippage
occur,thesealintegrityoftheunitisnotadverselyaffected.Thisfeatureprovidesasaferelief
forexcessivetorsionandshearloadsnotalwayseasilypredicted.
7.3
Thermalshock
Forveryseverethermalchock(i.e.quenching),theIXsealringwillnotbedirectlyaffectedand
thesealingreliablyisnotadverselyaffected.

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|17

8. SPOCompactFlangeAPPLICATIONDATA
8.1
Materials
Flangesareavailablefromstandardforgingorcastingwithsealringsincompatiblehigh
strengthforgedmaterials.ThesealringsarenormallycoatedwithPTFE.Standardbolting
materialsareA193B7andA320L7/L43.Inchstudboltsthreadedatbothendsorfulllength
maybeused.Heavyhexnuts(ANSIB18.2.2)shallbeused.Threadsshallbecoarseseries,Class
2A(ANSIB1.1),andnutsshallbecoarseseries,Class2B.Nominaldiameters1in.andsmaller
shallcoarsethreadseries(UNC);nominaldiameters11/8in.andlargershallbeofthe8thread
series(8UN).

Table8.1listssomecommonmaterials.E.g.combinecarbonsteelflangewithcarbonsealring
andstainlesssteelflangewithstainlesssealring.Sealringsintitaniumarealsoavailable.

Boltingforallflange

SPOCompactFlange
IXsealring
andsealringmaterial
combinations
A105

Carbo A350 LF2

nsteel A694 F52

CS360(F52)
examp A694 F60
A193
B7
les
A694 F65
A193
B16
AISI
4130(Lowalloy)
A320
L7
Stainle A182 F316

A320
L43
ss
A182 F44(6Mo)
A182 F51(Duplex)

steel
A182 F49
A564 630(174PH)

examp A182 F51(Duplex)

les
A182 F53(SuperDuplex)

Table8.1:CommonmaterialsforSPOCompactFlangeapplications

Flangematerial Servicetemperature
Carbonsteel
Stainlesssteel
Stainlesssteel
Stainlesssteel
SS/Nickelalloy/
CSwithinlay
All

50Cto+250C
50Cto+250C
100Cto+250C
200Cto+150C
200Cto+250C
>+250C

Table8.2:Colourcodingofsealrings

Min. yield = 270 MPa

Sealringmaterial
CS360
22CrDuplex
17/4PH
AusteniticSS1
Nickelalloy(Inco625,
718,A286etc.)
Suitable

SealringPTFEcolour
Blue
Yellow
Orange
Red
Black
Nottobecoated

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|18

8.2
Pressureclassesandsizes
ThepresentrangeofpressureclassesincludesthefollowingClassdesignation(ANSI)Class150,
300,600,900,1500,2500and4500Intermediate.Thepressurerating(ANSI)forthepressure
Classesare,ASMEB16.5andASMEB16.34:

Class
Nominal
ASMEpressureratingceiling
Pressureclass
abbreviation
pressure
valuesatRT

psig
barg
Class
150
CL150
PN
20
290
20,0
Class
300
CL300
PN
50
750
51,7
Class
600
CL600
PN
110
1500
103,4
Class
900
CL900
PN
150
2250
155,2
Class
1500
CL1500
PN
260
3750
258,6
Class
2500
CL2500
PN
420
6250
431,0
Class
4500INT
CL4500I

NA
520,0
Table8.3:Pressureclassoverview

Therangeofnominalpipesize(NPS)is

1122345681012141618202224
262830323436384042444648

Class2500and4500Iareonlyavailableupto24.

8.3
Flangetypesanddesignations
Figure3andFigure4showsomeflangetypeswiththerelevantdesignations.Thetypesof
flangesaregivenintable6.1.

Type
Description
abbreviation
WN
Weldneckflange
BL
Blindflange
SC
Swivelcollarforwelding
SR
Swivelring
SW
Swivelflangewhichincludesswivelcollarandswivelring
IF
Integralflangeaspartofsomeotherequipmentorcomponent
RI
Rigidinterfaceaspartofsomeotherequipmentorcomponent
withstuddedbolts
PB
Paddleblank
PS
Paddlespacer
SB
Spectacleblank
Table8.4:Typesofflanges

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|19

Theflangesandcollarshavethefollowingstandarddesignation:

Nominalflangesizetheappropriatenumber,
VectorInternationalstandardidentificationSPOCF
FlangetypeabbreviationaccordingtoTable8.4
PressureclassdesignationabbreviationaccordingtoTable8.3,CL
FacingtypethegroovenumberfortheIXsealring(theNPSnumber),IX
Pipeschedule/thickness,Sch/Wt
Materialdesignation,

Examples

Example1
DesignationofweldneckflangeinClass600withIXgroove,nominalsizeNPS10with
pipeschedule40SandmaterialA182F51(duplex):

10SPOCFWNCL600IX10Sch.40SA182F51

Example2
DesignationofblindflangeinClass900withIXgroove,nominalsizeNPS20and
materialA350LF2:

20SPOCFBLCL900IX20A350LF2

Example3
DesignationofweldneckflangeinClass4500IwithIXgroove,nominalsizeNPS8with
pipewallthicknessequalto30.0mmandmaterialA182F51(duplex):

8SPOCFWNCL4500IIX8Wt.30.0A182F51

8.4
Sealringdesignation
ThefigureinSection4:SealRing/GroovedimensionsillustratesIXgroovefacingsandtheIX
sealring.TheIXsealringisdesignatedasfollows:

VectorInternationalidentificationmarkSPOCF
TypeIX
Size(nominalpipesize),e.g.10
Materialdesignation,e.g.A182F51.

Example:SPOCFIX10A182F51

8.5
Flangedimensionsandweights
SeeSection3:FlangedimensionsandSection5:WeightsEachFlange.

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|20

8.6
Boltlengthsandweights
SeeSection6:LengthofStudboltsandSection7:BoltWeights.

8.7
Maindimensionsandweightsincludingassemblyweights
SeeSection8:AssemblyWeightsandSection9:Comparison.

8.8
Weldneckdimensions
Theminimumoutsidediameteroftheweldneckofweldneckorswivelcollarflangeisequalto
thenominaloutsidediameterofthepipe.Themaximumboreisequaltothespecifiednominal
bore.Thisassuresthattheminimumweldneckthicknessisthespecifiednominalvalue.

8.9
Loadcapacity
Section10:PressureTemperatureRatingspresentsvaluesgivenforstandardweldneck
flangesfortemperaturesupto250C.Thegivenratingsarebasedonusingboltswithstrength
equaltoASTMA193B7andpretensionedto75%ofyieldasspecifiedinSection2:Installation
andassemblyprocedure.

Thegivenratingsrepresentaflangeutilisationof0.5forinternalpressure.Theadditional
externalloadcapacitycanbecalculatedusingthemethoddescribedinAppendixDofNORSOK
L005.Forswivelflanges,theexternalloadcapacityisavailablefromVectorInternationalupon
request.

VectorInternationalcansupplyexternalloadcapacitydiagramswiththeflangesfortheaset
ofspecifieddesigndata;flangenominalsizeandpressureclass,borediameter,pipeouter
diameterifnonstandard,designpressureandtemperatureandflangematerialspecification.

BlindflangesandspacerblindswillhavepressureratingstomeetB16.5.Hencetheblindscan
beusedforhydrostaticpressuretestsupto1.5xlistedpressureratinginB16.5forthe
appropriateblindflangematerial.

Fortemperaturesabove250C,VectorInternationalwillsupplythepressureratingsand
externalloadcapacities.

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|21

9. Informationtobesuppliedbypurchaser
Inadditiontothestandarddesignationdetailedinchapter8,thefollowingadditional
informationshouldbesuppliedbythepurchaserintheinquiryand/ororder,where
appropriate:

Outsidediameterforweldneck/pipe,ifdifferentformthosespecifiedinthisstandard.
Boreatflangefaceandneck(weldneck)iftaperedboretobemachined,seefigure3.
Weldendpreparationifdifferentfromthosespecifiedinthisstandard.
Materialcertificaterequirements.
Boltingmaterialandpreloadmethod(torque/hydraulictension)whenboltsareordered
withtheflanges.

10.AVAILABILITY
SPOCompactFlangesaremanufacturedbyVectorInternationalASandunderlicensebyother
manufactures.

11.SERVICES
VectorInternationaldesignandmanufactureanextensiverangeofadhocSPOCompact
Flangedesigns,manyoutsidethestandardrange.SmallerandlighterSPOCompactFlanges
affordsubstantialcostsavingswherehighalloyedandexoticmaterialsareinvolved.Should
sizingberequired,thefollowinginformationshouldbesupplied:

Designpressure,temperatureandexternalloadsforactualloadconditions
Pipe/flangematerials
Pipeorpressurevesselcode
Pipeboreandoutsidediameter
Boltingmaterial
Additionrequirements,e.g.corrosionallowance
Quantitiesandschedule

Ourteamofengineersandtechniciansisavailabletoassistclientswithintegratedteamwork,
design,specialflangedesigns,sitesupervisionandassemblyoftheSPOCompactFlange.For
specialcasesVectorInternationalwillbehappytoassistwithmoredetailedanalysisincluding
nonlinearfiniteelementanalysis.

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|22

AppendixA:Figures

Figure1:HowSPOCompactFlangeworks(exaggeratedbevelangle)
23
Figure2:SPOCompactFlangestandardfeatures........................................................................24
Figure3:Flangetypesassemblies.............................................................................................25
Figure4:Flangetypes(contd)lineblanks................................................................................26
Figure5:Weldendsofweldneckflangesandswivelcollars......................................................27
Figure6:Studlength....................................................................................................................28
Figure7:ComparisonSPOCompactflangevsANSIflange..........................................................29

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|23

Figure1:HowSPOCompactFlangeworks(exaggeratedbevelangle)

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|24

Figure2:SPOCompactFlangestandardfeatures

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|25

Figure3:Flangetypesassemblies

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|26

Figure4:Flangetypes(contd)lineblanks

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|27

Figure5:Weldendsofweldneckflangesandswivelcollars

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|28

Figure6:Studlength

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|29

ANSI

Highhydrostaticforce
Largemomentarm
Reducedstiffness
Reducedsealingreliability
Loadtransferthroughgasket

SPOCompactFlange

Smallhydrostaticforce
Smallmomentarm
Increasedstiffness
Increasedsealingreliability
Loadtransferthroughflangefaces

Figure7:ComparisonSPOCompactflangevsANSIflange.
6CL2500WN(relativetoscale)

SPOCompactFlangeDesigner'sManualDoc.no.:A10601Rev.no.:3Page|30

Section2:

Installationandassemblyprocedure

Section3:

Flangedimensions

Section4:

SealRing/Groovedimensions

Section5:

WeightsEachFlange

Section6:

LengthofStudbolts

Section7:

BoltWeights

Section8:

AssemblyWeights

Section9:

Comparison

Section10:

PressureTemperatureRatings