Floating flanges provide flexibility in piping systems, reducing vibration and allowing for movement. Two types exist: rigid pipe with movable flange connectors and flexible pipe with connectors. Materials vary based on fluid and pressure requirements. Flexible connections require planning and cannot be stretched beyond limits.
A floating flange is a connector that provides flexibility in piping systems, which reduces vibration and allows for movement. Pipes carrying hot or cold fluids can change shape due to expansion or contraction, causing stress on joints and fittings. Adding a floating flange allows sections of pipe to move separately from each other. The term “flange” refers to a connection point that can be connected to another pipe, either by bolting the flanges together or by screwing a flange into the next section.
There are two types of floating flange systems; rigid pipe with movable flange connectors on each end and flexible pipe with connectors. Rigid connectors are manufactured from steel tubing with a compression fitting containing a gasket at each end. At the connections, the gasket will fit at the end of the next section. When the flanges are tightened, the gasket compresses and stops leaks, but movement can still occur if necessary.
Another type of floating flange is a hose with loose or fixed flanges on each end. Loose flange systems do not weld or secure the flanges, allowing them to move or make connections to pipes that are not aligned properly. The rigid sections of the flange are welded or glued to maintain a constant angle of attack, but the hose can move as needed to align the connections.
Pipe materials can vary widely and it is important to have the correct material for the specific fluids being moved. Low pressure systems can use plastic pipes with screw connections to reduce weight and cost. Corrosive materials may require natural or artificial rubber based elastomers to reduce wear. Some elastomer-based floating flange systems use embedded wires or cables to allow for even higher pressures, while remaining flexible.
Flexibility can be achieved by the materials themselves, such as plastic tubing, or by adding flexible joints or using braided liners. Flexible couplings can be used with rigid pipe, with a gasketed fitting in the middle that can move to allow for mismatched connections. The braids are woven from steel or strong fibers that can resemble a fabric cover, allowing for higher pressures with flexibility.
The use of floating flange piping requires some planning, as these systems cannot be flexed or stretched beyond certain limits. If the misalignment is extreme, it may be advisable to make a custom hose connection, as a flexible connection can be overloaded and can fail. Small adjustments and vibration elimination are the two best uses for flexible connection devices.
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