A recent guide on the proper installation, usage, and maintenance of carbon steel flanges has been released, emphasizing critical steps to ensure safe and reliable operation, particularly in valve and pipeline systems. The recommendations focus on minimizing risks such as leakage and damage to sealing surfaces, ensuring long-term durability and optimal performance of carbon steel flanges.
2. Pre-Use Pipeline and Valve Cleaning: Before using carbon steel flanges, especially in valve systems, it is essential to clean the pipeline and valve body to remove any iron filings, debris, or other contaminants. This step helps prevent any foreign materials from entering the internal chamber of the valve, which could potentially impair its operation and sealing efficiency.
3. Safety Precautions During Maintenance: Carbon steel flanges often retain residual medium and pressure even when the valve is closed. Prior to performing maintenance on carbon steel flanges, always close the shut-off valve upstream of the flange, and release all internal pressure from the valve body. For electric or pneumatic carbon steel flanges, it is essential to disconnect the power supply and air source to ensure safe operation during maintenance.
4. Sealing Material Considerations: Soft-seal carbon steel flanges typically use PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) as a sealing material, while hard-seal ball valves have metal weld-overlay sealing surfaces. During disassembly for cleaning, special care must be taken to avoid damaging the sealing rings, which could result in leakage.
