What are flange valves?

Flange valves are valves that connect to pipelines through circular discs with bolt holes known as flanges that allow strong attachment.

Their distinctive flanged designs, combined with their ability to manage flow effectively and many other benefits like maintaining a secure connection, made them essential for industrial applications.

As a professional manufacturer with decades of experience producing high-quality flange valves, we know the complexity of this equipment and can help you understand it better.

So, read on to learn why they are crucial in the process industries.

Understanding the Flange End Valve and Flange Valve Connections

Flange end valves, or valves with flanged ends, are identified through their unique connecting method to pipelines.

This includes flanges, or circular flat discs, on each end with central holes, gaskets, and bolt slots.

Therefore, this connection allows the valve to be tightly attached between pipe flanges.

While controlling the flow of fluids or gases is one of the roles of any valve, one of the flange valve’s main importance lies in this special connection type.

This is because flange valve attachment offer various benefits, including:

• Further preventing leakage.
• Easy installation, removal, or maintenance.
• Helps spread loads evenly to prevent valve deformation.
• Strong seals under difficult industrial conditions (high pressure and temperature)
• And much more

Applications Benefiting from Integral Flange Valves

Flange valves are any valves with flanges as their connection method.

An integral flange valve is one of the special types since the flanges are already integrated into the body. 

Their reliable connected valve body and flange design made them often used in high-pressure (typically 150 lb–2500 lb or greater) and temperature conditions (usually from 100°F to 850°F or higher).

These made them commonly used, particularly our forged integral flange valves for numerous purposes like: 

Power Generation

The integral flange valve design provides a more leakproof structure compared to other types, like welded flange designs.

This is because the integral flange valve prevents separate gasketed joints that can be a possible leakage path.

This is critical for both upstream and downstream operations when exposed to high pressures and temperatures.

Oil and Gas Industry

Their integral flange design contributes to their strength and capacity to handle higher pressures and harsh environments.

Therefore, they are also designed to control the flow of natural gas and crude oil through pipelines, refineries, and processing plants, making them essential in this industry.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Processing

Like CLDG’s Integral flanged valves, these types of flange valves are mainly available in corrosion-resistant materials while also enabling accurate flow control to improve safety and process accuracy.

This allows for effective handling of corrosive and toxic substances in chemical and pharmaceutical productions.

Valve With Flanges Common Problem: Bolted Flange Leakage

Flange valves are used in demanding applications, although studies including Walczak et al. have shown that leaks are still common due to fast changes in system heating and cooling.

This causes the metal parts (flange and bolts) to expand and contract at various speeds or amounts, affecting the gasket’s tightness too and possibly causing leaks.

So, R. Walczak and other researchers recommend using high-quality materials for flange connections that fulfill international or national requirements to combat these issues.

Fortunately, CLDG’s expertise allowed us to deliver high-quality forged integral flanged ends for handling these usual problems with unique features such as:

• Excellent gasket material (including SS304+Grap).
• Following several standards (e.g., API 602 and ASME B16.34).
• Compliance with high-pressure classes (150 to 2500 pounds)
• Reliable materials that can withstand high pressure and temperatures (for example, A105N, F11, and F316).

Flange Valve: Key Takeaways

Flange valves are distinguished by their unique flanged ends on both sides, which can be linked to the pipe’s flanges.

Their special connecting method provides various benefits, such as ensuring durability, ease of maintenance, and reduced leaks in industrial systems.

CLDG’s 20+ years of experience and advanced manufacturing process enabled us to easily manufacture valves with optimal durability, efficiency, and more.
Speak with our engineers now to discuss and customize the ideal flange valve solution that meets your application needs!