Technologies and Innovation Archives - Page 2 of 2

Flange safety shields: what are they and why are they important?

In a piping system, joints and threaded fittings in flanges form, rather than sockets or expansion joints are obviously a daily occurrence.

Flanges

Within a piping system, the flange is therefore a mechanical part intended to provide a non-permanent connection between two pipes. They are points where pressure, heat, vibrations are particularly strong and above all they are structurally weak points, because they are contact points between different connections.

They are points that cannot be welded to increase their resistance, as they must allow disconnection between pipes for scheduled or accidental maintenance.

Why cover the flanges

Because they are “weak points“, in a piping system it is important to cover the flanges so that operators can work safely.

Flanged couplings crossed by chemically aggressive products or any potentially harmful product are a source of risk to the safety of personnel. In the event of failure, the liquid flowing inside can be projected from the flange coupling in a wide radius and with high kinetic energy (a phenomenon known as “Jet Fire“).

For this reason, flange couplings must be provided with adequate protection against such events.

How to cover the flanges?

There are two ways to cover the flanges properly by using: metal flange safety shields or fabric flange safety shields.

Metal flange safety shields are realized with different types of stainless steel, depending on the fluid flowing through the pipes, so that in the event of a leak the flange safety shield will tend to contain the fluid inside, letting it to drip to the ground, in this way the pressure is eliminated .

In particular, New Componit metal flange safety shields are made of Stainless Steel 304, Stainless Steel 316 L and Stainless Steel 310.

Metal flange safety shields are very strong, have a very high durability, but have the drawback that they do not contain heat.

Textile flange safety shields, on the other hand, are designed with special technical fabrics, depending on the type of fluid that is conveyed in the pipes and the temperature that can be reached. Among the materials that can be used there are fibreglass and PVC.

Compared to their metal counterparts, textile flange safety shields have the advantage to be heat-insulating. This is important in all situations where the fluids flowing inside the pipes are particularly hot, because it allows the operator to work without the fear to get burned.

Furthermore, since they are “custom-made“, the textile flange safety shields can be used where traditional metal insulation cannot be, for example: because there is no space for its installation or because of the conformation of the system itself, so the flange is in a “difficult” place or has been designed in a particular way.

Are you looking for a supplier to secure your flanges?

New Componit is a company that has been working in the field of fabric joints and industrial fabric insulation since 1986. Our experience in designing custom-made solutions for all our customers can guarantee a solution to any problem about safety and heat dispersion in plants.

Want to improve comfort and performance in your plant with a tailored solution?

Request Your Free TIPCHECK Audit Now

Sales Engineer
Coordinates the development of the Textile Products division, focusing on the analysis of new sectors to approach and the commercial and marketing strategies to implement.

25 May 2021

The noise reduction in industrial plants: when removable insulation can help you

In industrial plants, noise reduction is necessary. In companies with equipment continuously in operation, the constant production of noise is almost unavoidable.

The most common sources of noise are:

Compressors;
Turbines;
Fans;
Power units;
Pipes;
Engines.

The problem is not to avoid the production of noise, which is possible, in part, through an excellent plant design, but how to reduce it as much as possible.

The health of workers passes also through a good sound absorption

A prolonged exposure to significant noise levels can cause negative health effects, such as a permanent decrease in hearing capacity; it is therefore necessary, also in accordance with the law, to reduce the exposure of workers to this source of risk.

In particular, the limit value is 87 db (A), but already from 80 db (A) the employer is forced to take actions and reduce the level of risk.

How to reduce noise in industrial plants placed in narrow or complex spaces?

The company has the duty to reduce the noise to which the worker is exposed during his work. To do this it is necessary to intervene with skilled technicians who find the frequencies to be cut down and use proper materials to “block” them.

However, in case of narrow spaces due to complicated shapes or difficult position of equipment, the traditional insulation cannot be neither placed nor removed easily.

Removable acoustic (or thermo-acoustic) insulation can solve this problem in an extremely effective way. Since it is custom-made, it can be installed on every equipment and since it is easy to install and remove, it allows the worker (link) to intervene safely.

Do you need to reduce the noise of your systems and you don’t know how to do it?

New Componit has 35 years of experience in consulting and designing solutions for acoustic, thermal and thermo-acoustic control.

Our removable insulation jackets can provide for the shortcomings of traditional insulation, by giving you more flexibility and safety.

We offer customized solutions safe and certified. Thanks to our skilled technicians, you will quickly have system analysis, customized design and constant support.