Extreme reliability in a compact design
TP-Products’ expertise in “NORSOK type” Compact Flanges is unique. TP has produced this type of compact flange since 1989. Our engineers have long experience in the design and development of compact flanges and were responsible for writing the product standard in NORSOK L-005 and have also participated in the ISO 27509 compact flange standardisation work.
The TPC Compact Flange (TPC CF) is designed to meet the functional and design requirements of Chapter 4 of NORSOK L-005. TPC Compact Flanges can be delivered from our product standard in pressure classes CL150 (PN20) to CL2500 (PN420) and in nominal pipe sizes ½“ to 48”.
Compact flanges are also available outside the product standard, both in terms of size and design pressure as follows:
- API pressure class 5kpsi for sizes up to 48"
- API pressure class 7,5kpsi for size up to 24”
- API pressure class 10kpsi for size up to 24”
- API pressure class 15kpsi for sizes up to 24"
- API pressure class 20kpsi upon request.
For further information see also Specials.
TPC Compact Flange
benefits
The TPC Compact flange is smaller, lighter and tighter comparing with ASME or API flanges. Due to the inhouse knowledge of compact flanges we are able to design compact flanges with wall thicknesses outside the range given in the standard and do we have swivel flanges in our portfolio. We can also deliver tailor made compact flanges designed for your load case with both IX or HX seal ring solution
100% Maintenance Free
The key functional property of the TPC Compact Flange, is that it is a static connection which means that there is no relative movement between the two flange halves when in service. Due to this static condition, a leak cannot develop over time. The static behaviour also makes the flange 100% maintenance free.
Easy, Fast & Cost Effective
The high reliability of TPC Compact Flanges allows for the use of mechanical connections in restricted areas. The use of flanged connections instead of welds, for instance towards equipment, makes maintenance and replacement a lot easier, faster and cheaper.
High Quality
Compact flanges use self-energised and pressure assisted seals; the performance of such seal rings is dependent on using materials of high quality and strength.
Working Principle
of the TPC Compact Flange
The TPC Compact Flange functions as a static connection, meaning the two flange halves do not move relative to each other in service. Because the connection remains static, no leaks can develop over time. Its static behaviour also makes the flange completely maintenance-free.
The flange face features a slightly convex bevel with its highest point—the heel—located next to the bore, and a small outer wedge around the flange’s outer diameter. Tightening or tensioning the flange bolting pulls the two connector halves together to form the NCF5.
When the seal ring is engaged, axial forces act on the taper of the metal seal ring and convert into sealing force. As pre-load increases, the bevel closes and the outer wedge achieves face-to-face contact, while most of the bolt pre-load transfers as compressive force between the flange faces at the heel.
The flange face design creates two independent seals. The first seal forms when seal seating stress is applied at the flange heel. At all allowable load levels, the flange also maintains contact along the outer circumference of the flange faces. The main seal is the seal ring, which relies on the elastic stored energy in the stressed ring. If any leakage occurs at the heel, internal pressure acts on the inner side of the seal ring and intensifies the sealing action.
The design prevents exposure to oxygen and other corrosive agents, protecting the flange faces, the stressed bolt length, and the seal ring from corrosion.
In the made-up position, the back face of the flange remains parallel to the flange face to prevent bolt bending in the assembled condition.
Wedge
Stud
Nut
IX Sealring
Weld Neck Flange
Heel
TPC Compact Flange
benefits vs ASME
comparison between 6″ 2500# ASME Weld Neck and TPC Compact Flange (full set of flanges incl. bolting)
Components
of the TPC Compact Flange
TPC Compact Flanges are available in all normally used flanged components in all nominal sizes and pressure classes; Weld Neck (WN), Swivel flange (SW), Integral Flange (IF), End Fitting (EF), Blind (BL), Paddle Blank (PB) and Paddle Spacer (PS), Orifice Spacer (OS), Rigid Interface (RI) and Reducing Threaded (RT).
hover images to see 2D
click images to see 2D
Rigid Interface
Paddle Spacer
Swivel Flange
Integral Flange
IX Seal Ring
suitable for standard
process piping applications
HX Seal Ring
subsea applications and other
demanding applications
(extreme temperature).
Seal ring types
TPC Compact Flange
TP-Products produces high quality metal seal rings for compact flanges. The seals available are of type IX for standard process piping applications and type HX for subsea applications and other demanding applications such as extreme temperature. The seal type for compact flanges are self-energised and pressure assisted; the performance of such seal rings is dependent on using materials of high quality and strength. The deformation controlled functionality demands that strict dimensional tolerances are met, something our machine shop has 25 years of experience in achieving.
The seal rings are available with coatings selected to suit the functionality of sealing for compact flanges. For subsea use, we will recommend our silver coated seals which is a very robust solution giving an extremely good and everlasting sealing performance. For topside applications, we recommend using MoS2 based dry film coatings. The seal rings used in TPC Compact Flanges are designed to be high reliability metal to metal seals and the use of PTFE type coatings is not recommended.
TPC Compact Flange
applications
TPC Compact Flanges can be used in any application where other types of pipe connectors traditionally have been used. In addition, TPC Compact Flanges can be used in areas where welded connections are normally required. The high reliability of TPC Compact Flanges allows for the use of mechanical connections in restricted areas. The use of flanged connections instead of welds, for instance, towards equipment, makes equipment maintenance and replacement a lot easier, faster, and cheaper.
Due to the static behavior of «NORSOK type» compact flanges and the high reliability, the TPC Compact Flange can be used in critical dynamic applications such as in dynamic offshore riser systems. The static condition also gives very good fatigue resistance, which will always make the flange better than the adjoining weld. TPC Compact Flanges are superior to other connectors also in extremely low temperatures and in extremely high temperatures.
Due to the flange’s compact design with low weight and small diameter, module and skid designers can design more compact modules/skids, which is beneficial in many ways. One important example is the offshore lifting of modules either to a platform or to a subsea location, where weight and space are crucial to keep installation costs down.
Impact Of External Forces
TPC Compact Flange
Impact of forces on asme flange
exaggerated animation to illustrate effect
Impact of forces on tp compact flange
fully static connection
Custom Designs
TP-Products can supply tailor-made compact flange designs for a wide range of applications outside the area of NORSOK L-005 / ISO 27509 flanges. This includes, first of all, subsea applications, but also applications for use in high-pressure, high-temperature systems designed to API 17 TR8.
TPC Compact Flanges are available, designed for extreme low temperatures utilizing austenitic stainless steel bolting and for extreme high temperatures utilizing nickel alloy bolting.
Compact flange designs can be supplied to meet the client’s special requirements in terms of space and weight limitations, load-carrying capacity for static and dynamic loads, as well as for special installation requirements, such as in diver-assisted assemblies.
Flanges suitable for “spec brake” locations are available. This may include connections between two pressure classes and/or two nominal pipe sizes (enlarging and reducing flanges).
Additional Services
TP-Products can offer many services associated with our products. For equipment manufacturers who will produce their equipment with an end connection of either compact flange or clamp connector type, TP-Products can supply machining drawings as well as calculations, including non-linear Finite Element Analysis, to specified codes and standards.
Our experienced engineering team can assist in finding the best technical solution for a certain application, and together with pricing and delivery information, guide the client to the best total solution.
In our test facilities, we can perform the required pressure testing of any pressure components we deliver.
Other services we offer include training in the assembly of compact flanges and clamp connectors, and also on-site supervision.
Seal Integrity Testing
of the TPC Compact Flange
TPC Compact Flanges can be delivered with a test port for seal integrity testing. Two types of test ports are available: back seal test ports and inter seal test ports. In the case of a back seal test port, an additional O-ring is introduced outside the seal ring so that the seal ring can be reverse tested. In the case of an inter seal test port, testing is performed between two of the flange seals.
Engineering
The engineering team at TP-Products has extensive experience in the design and development of pipe connectors for different applications. Our technical manager, Sjur Lassesen, joined SteelProducts Offshore (SPO) in 1998 and has since then headed the development of the compact flange concept into what it is today: a versatile and unique high-integrity, high-capacity connector with a reliability that no other pipe connector can provide.
Design calculations, analysis, and documentation can be performed according to all applicable codes and standards, such as ASME VIII div.2, API 6A/17D, API 17 TR8, ISO 13628-7, EN-13445-3, and DNV OS-F101 & F201.
Flanges and connectors for subsea use, made from duplex materials, will be designed to meet DNV-RP-F112 to demonstrate the required HISC resistance.
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TPC Compact Flange
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