Blind flanges on pipelines around the globe could be costing millions in unnecessary downtime, according to Celeros Flow Technology.
The firm’s Carla Connolly says: “Blind flanges are often fitted on pressure vessels and pipelines because they provide lower cost on capital investment at the initial construction phase. It may not be until later in the life of an installation that the reality of the continuing overhead associated with opening such a flange is realised. In some cases, companies may not even be aware that their pipeline access system is contributing to higher operational costs.”
The cumulative downtime caused by blind flanges could be causing inefficiencies and driving up costs in industries as disparate as oil and gas exploration, chemical processing, water treatment and power generation. According to Connolly, this is an area that companies would do well to address if they want to maintain their competitive edge.
The group says it has come up with a simple solution – the flanged GD Bandlock™2 Closure.
“Our flanged Bandlock™2 Closures can be fitted to new or existing installations as a simple and direct replacement for the blind flange. This makes them ideal for installations where the operational overhead for opening an existing blind flange is found to be uneconomical over the life of the installation.”
GD Bandlock™ 2 Closures provide horizontal or vertical access to any pressure vessel in seconds. Compared with other quick-opening closures they can be operated safely at remarkable speed. Any size of unit can be opened or closed in less than a minute, with no special tools required.
The tried and tested locking band mechanism which gives the range its name is a duplex stainless steel conical thrust locking band fitted between the closure door and hub. It is designed to transmit the pressure load uniformly around the full 360° circumference of the hub. These innovative access solutions are complemented by full lifecycle support, including seal refurbishment / replacement, and technical advice on how to maximize performance.
