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Orifice Flange Explained (ASME B16.36)

Orifice flanges are the equivalent as weld neck flanges or slip on flanges. The differences are that these flanges have additional machining and have radial and tapped holes. This serves as the purpose of meter connections, which helps as jackscrews to provide for the detachment of flanges at the time of replacement of the orifice plate. Orifice flanges are generally used with orifice meters for better performance. This makes easy to measure the flow rates of oil, gas, and other fluids that have been conveyed in a pipeline. The standard assembly of orifice flanges involves gaskets, nuts, bolts, plugs, plates, a pair of flanges, and jacking screws. Jacking screws make removal of the primary flow element easier. When there is a requirement to connect a flow nozzle or an orifice plate, then ASME B16.36 orifice flanges are used instead of standard pipe flanges. Orifice flanges are available in different faces, such as RTJ (Ring Type Joint) facings and Raised Faces. The ASME B16.36 orifice flanges are the same as weld neck flanges.
Orifice flanges of ASME B16.36 are commonly manufactured by using various materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, and many other suitable materials. Orifice flanges are also available in different ASTM forged grades, such as ASTM A350, ASTM A694, ASTM A105, and ASTM 182. These Flanges are also accessible in many dimensions, in socket weld, weld neck shape, and threaded type. These Flanges are widely used in many industrial applications by making them as per the demands of industries.

Purpose of an Orifice Flanges:

  • These Flanges are extensively used, including orifice meters, to estimate the flow rate of fluid or gases passing through the pipe
  • An orifice plate calculates the flow of the inner fluid or gas. Iis fitted between two orifice flanges which is connected to the pipe.
  • The orifice plate has tiny holes in the structure. There are two pressure tap holes that are drilled in each flange and help to estimate the pressure produced inside the pipe.
  • A ‘jack screw’ is fitted between the two flanges, which permits to separate the flanges during the inspection or maintenance process.

Uses of an Orifice Flange

Orifice flanges are popularly used in many industrial sectors in different applications. Heavy and light chemicals, paper industry, nuclear industry, and petrochemical industry are using these Flanges widely. These Flanges are perfectly suitable to use in sewage treatment, water treatment and distribution, power generation, and many more operations. Due to excellent performance and suitability, Orifice flanges are also ideal for applications in oil production and refining plants and gas processing and transmission.

Orifice flanges have numerous features and specifications, which are making them perfect for any application. The ASME B16.36 standard covers flanges that are associated with those segments which are covered in standard ASME B16.5. These two standards have the only difference is that the ASME B16.36 Orifice Flange has orifice pressure differential attachments. This makes these Flanges unique from all the Flanges and also makes them able to make operation easier. These Flanges are available with all essential specifications for any industrial purpose.

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Orifice Flange Explained (ASME B16.36)

by Piping Mart time to read: 2 min