High-pressure mud circuit

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HIGH-PRESSURE
MUD CIRCUIT

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GENERALITY

The high-pressure mud circuit is the

surface circuit connected to the well
head; it is used to circulate with the
well shut and when high pressure
ratings are rocorded.

Its main components are high-

pressure lines and valves through
which the mud flows in and out of
the well during blowout control.

The high-pressure circuit has an

extremely important function and
therefore all parts must be regularly
checked and maintained to ensure
full efficiency and functionality.

The high-pressure circuit includes:

 kill lines
 choke lines
 choke manifold
 flare lines
 high-pressure valves
 adjustable chokes

Note: All high-pressure circuit components must be protected from low temperatures by emptying them or by
replacing the mud with a suitable fluid, to avoid damages or obstructions due to freezing.

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4.1 KILL LINES

Generality

Kill lines connect mud pumps to the BOP-stack side outlets and are used to pump into the well
when circulation through the pipes is not possible.

There can be one or two and they can be either installed on the BOP stack through the drilling
spools or connected to the BOP lateral flange.

On the section connected to the BOP stack two valves are installed:

 manual valve
 remotely operated hydraulic valve

On high-depth installations, an additional kill line is installed (remote kill line) to allow
interventions with emergency pumps if the installation pumps (maximum working pressure 5000
psi) cannot be used.

Manual valves are usually positioned on the well side and are kept open, while hydraulic valves
are positioned on the external side and are kept closed.

This line must be installed directly in the kill lines and installed near the installation to easily
accessible with emergency pumps.

Installation and use (API RP 53)

a. All parts installed on the kill lines must be

field-tested after assembly at a pressure
equal to or higher than the installed BOP
stack pressure.
b. Inspections and pressure tests should be
carried out with the same frequency as the
BOP stack.
c. Their diameter must be large enough to
ensure adequate flowrate and avoid
excessive pressure losses. The
recommended minimum nominal diameter is
2".
d. As a further safety measure, a check valve
could be installed on the kill line behind the
two valves.
e. Kill lines must not be used as well-filling
lines, because this could cause erosion and
affect efficiency in case of emergency.

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4.2 CHOKE LINES

Generality

Choke lines are high-pressure lines which connect the BOP stack to the choke manifold and allow
the outgoing flow to be conveyed to the exit during blowout control. There can be either one or
two and they are inserted in the BOP stack through drilling spools or connected to the BOP lateral
flange.

If there are two lines, the upper line is regularly used, while the lower one is left for emergency
situations.

On the section connected to the BOP stack two valves are installed:

 manual valve
 remotely operated hydraulic valve

Manual valves are usually positioned on the well side and are kept open, while hydraulic valves
are positioned on the external side and are kept closed.

Installation and use(API RP 53)

a. They must be as straight as possible.

Bendings should be protected with lead
plugs to absorb hits and avoid erosion.
b. They must be secured to avoid excessive
vibrations.
c. Their diameter must be large enough to
avoid excessive erosion and pressure losses.
The recommended minimum nominal
diameter is 3" ( 4 inch normally).

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4.3 CHOKE MANIFOLD

Generality

The choke manifold is composed of

a group of valves and lines
connected to the well head through
the choke lines.

It is used, during blowout control, to

maintain the correct back pressure
adjusting the flow exiting the well
through an adjustable choke.

The choke manifold can be equipped

with a buffer chamber to convey
high-pressure exit flows to a single
line and to the connected discharge
line (flare line, ...).

The buffer chamber has a lower

working pressure value than all other
choke manifold areas. Such
difference should be kept into
account during pressure tests.

Lines to be used during blowout control:

Automatic choke Manual choke 1

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Manual choke 2 Direct line

Flare line

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Installation and use (API RP 53)

a. The choke manifold must have a working pressure equal to the BOP stack pressure. After
installation it has to be tested with the same frequency and procedure as the BOP stack.
b. It must be installed in an easily accessible place and preferably far from the installation
structures to ensure safety in any working condition.
c. Alternative lines must be provided to allow eroded, obstructed or malfunctioning parts to be
replaced without interrupting the blowout control operations.
d. The choke-manifold central-line (bleed line) diameter should be at least as large as the choke
line diameter to maintain the minimum back pressure and to allow large volumes of fluid to be
discharged when the BOP is closed.
e. Lines positioned after the chokes must be pressure tested during installation even if pressure
control is not required.
f. Proper pressure gauges must be installed to control casing and pipe pressure values. The Choke
manifold sensors communicate pressure values to the control panel.*
g. All the choke manifold valves, being subject to erosion due to the well flow, should be of the
full-opening type and designed to work with gas high pressure to resist formation fluids.
h. If a buffer chamber is being used, it has to be designed so that it allows isolating any broken
part and malfunctioning without interrupting blowout control procedures.

Notes: * Pipes pressure is transmitted to the pressure gauge (near the casing gauge) to allow comparing the two
values (SICP, SIDPP) during well control operations.

In installations with working pressure values above 5.000 psi, at least one of the manifold chokes
must be remotely operated.

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4.4 FLARE LINES

Flare lines are used to convey any

gas coming from the choke as far
from the well as possible .In case
of small quantities, the gas is
simply discharged, whereas in
case of large volumes it is burnt.

Such lines have to be as straight

as possible, avoiding bendings
and turns to reach the farthest
possible area (towards the wind
direction); they also have to be
anchored to the ground to prevent
them from moving because of
vibrations due to violent gas
flows.

After being installed, they have to

be field tested at a reasonably low
pressure value, high enough to
grant certainty of sealing.

4.5 HIGH-PRESSURE VALVES

Generality

High-pressure valves are usually

gate valves and are installed on
the high-pressure mud circuit to
control blowouts (kill lines, choke
lines and choke manifold).

Because of their particular

structure, these valves must be
kept either completely opened or
completely closed, to avoid
erosion due to the mud flow.

They can be either manual or

remotely operated by a hydraulic
actuator.

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"F" Type CAMERON high pressure valve

Generality

The "F" type CAMERON is a two-

way sealing full-passage gate valve.

The valve can be opened or closed by

rotating the stem which, having a fixed
axis and a threaded lower part, forces
the gate to move vertically.

Complete closure is obtained by

rotating the wheel clockwise as many
turns as are indicated on the wheel
label. Once closure has been
accomplished rotate 1/4 of a turn
counter-clockwise to unlock the gate
and leaving a gap between the stem and
the gate to allow the gate to
accommodate in the seat and facilitate
sealing.

The body is H2S service, while internal components can be:

 regular trim: non-resistant to H2S

 super-trim: in special steel , resistant to corrosion and H2S service.

Standard components can work with temperatures ranging between -30 °C and 120 °C, but special
components for lower and higher temperatures are available.

Notes: 1 - Valve opening and closing cannot be deduced from the stem position

2 - Sealing takes place by metal-to-metal contact between the gate and the sealing
ring installed on the retain plate.

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Components

Two types of CAMERON high-pressure valves are available:

 type "C" with rectangular cavity (more common)

 type "F" with cylindrical cavity (more recent, also called "FC" model)

All components have the same characteristics, with the exception of a connection sleeve (with a
gasket) between lateral outlet ends and the sealing unit.

The most important components are:

 body
 head
 sealing unit (gate and seat)
 stem

Forged-steel body with cylindrical or rectangular cavity

The cylindrical cavity facilitates a more even distribution of stress due to pressure than the
rectangular cavity; it has a better grease-storage capacity and lower manufacturing costs.

Head studded on the body

The external sealing between the flanges is

obtained with the provided ring gasket.

A greaser is installed on the flange for the

sealing unit lubrication.

The stem internal sealing is ensured by a gasket

accommodated in the head and kept in place by
a gland nut.

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Sealing unit

It is composed of a gate that slides vertically

between two guides where the stellite sealing
rings are positioned. The sealing between the
gate and the stellite rings is metal-to-metal
sealing, while between the rings and the body
valve the sealing is performed by two teflon
rings (self-lubricating hydrocarbon-resistant
material).

In the cilyndrical-cavity model the sealing unit

gruppo di tenuta is the same as in the
rectangular-cavity model, with the exception of
the sealing between the stellite ring and the
body which in the "FC" model does not take
place directly on the body but by a sealing
sleeve di tenuta. In this case it is not the body
valve which is more subject to sealing but the
easily replaceable sleeve.

Stem

The stem upper section is cylindrical, with a

connection for the wheel, while the lower
section is threaded to be screwed inside the gate.

Between the two sections there is a conical

annular protrusion which seals into a seat
provided inside the head (secondary sealing o
backseating) when the valve, in the closed
position, is subsequently unscrewed. This
allows the packing unit to be replaced in
emergency situations, when the valve is subject
to pressure.

Maintenance

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The valve must be thoroughly lubricated during

assembly, and a regular lubrication is
recommended to ensure good functioning and
protection of internal components which are
subject to wear. The head is equipped with a
greaser for both stem and internal cavity
lubrication by injecting CAMERON grease
through the provided greaser.

The same type of grease can be used to

lubricate the bearings inside the cup: grease can
be injected through the two greasers installed on
the stem cup until it flows out of the peephole.

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Stem gasket replacement (valve under pressure)

Carry out backseating sealing (secondary sealing)

1. Close the valve completely.

2. Unscrew the cup 4 complete turns.
3. Rotate the wheel clockwise to stroke end and tighten.*
4. Test the backseating sealing:*
. remove greaser top from the head
. insert a cylindrical pin;
. tighten the greaser top and release pressure:
if pressure decreases rapidly, this means the secondary sealing is working ;
if pressure value does not change (continuous flow), this means the secondary
sealing is not working; repeat the procedure from step 1 on.

Sealing unit removal

5. Remove the wheel, unscrew and remove the cup.*

6. Pull out the pin which holds the stem to its adapter, remove the stem adapter and the
bearings.
7. Unscrew e remove the gland nut.
8. Pull out the stem sealing gasket by pumping some grease through the greaser.

Insert the new sealing unit

9. Accurately clean valve internal parts and apply a thin coat of grease on the stem, inside the
head and on the new gasket.
10. Re-install the gasket using the gland nut to fix it into place.*
11. Unscrew the gland nut to lubricate the stem and put back into place the gland nut.
12. Re-install the bearings, the stem adapter and the stem pin.
13. Put the cup back into place and screw it in.
14. Insert the wheel : three complete left-hand turns to create a distance from the sealing
surface.
15. Lubricate the cavity by using the head greaser.

Notes

step 3: sealing is performed by the annular protrusion on the stem fitting in the head conical seat.

step 4: in valves with 10000 psi working pressure or more, besides the greaser check valve a second check
valve is installed and screwed inside the lubrication duct. Testing is required for this valve, too.

step 5: if the cup does not come off easily, do not insist because it might pull up the gland nut annulling
sealing on the conical surface between the stem and the head.

step 10: make sure that the seal is positioned with the teflon side down.

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Gate and sealing plates replacement

1. Turn the wheel to the left to open the valves.*

2. Release pressure.
3. Remove the head nuts.
4. Turn the wheel to the right (closing) to lift the body head.
5. If the above steps are carried out without any trouble, pull off the head; in case of
difficulties:

. Insert two or more nuts between the head flange and the body valve, then turn the wheel to
the right to lift the head from the body.
. Hld up the cover and turn the wheel to the right until the stem is released from the gate.
. Lft the head.

6. Pull out the gate.

7. Inspect the packing unit and replace any damaged component.
8. Assemble the gate and the sealing plates and lubricate all surfaces with a thin layer of
grease .
9. Insert the sealing unit into the body cavity and push it until the gate has reached the bottom
of the valve.*
10. Fill the gap between the two plates above the gate with grease.
11. Remove the ring and inspect its seat.
12. Lay a thin layer of grease on the ring and its seat.
13. Insert the sealing ring between the head flange and the body
14. Position the head unit on the body valve.*
15. Turn the wheel to the left (opening) until the head reaches the base and the gate is lifted
from the bottom.
16. Insert head nuts and tighten to lock.

Notes

Step 1: If the valve is working, isolate it from pressure lines.

Step 9: Sealing plates must not stick out of the body valve upper part.

Step 14: For valves with a working pressure up to 5.000 psi, the two centering pins installed on the body must
line up with their respective seats in the head lower part. For valves with a working pressure ranging
10/15/20.000 psi, make sure the greaser is correctly positioned.

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"F" type CAMERON HIGH-PRESSURE VALVES with hydraulic control

"F" type CAMERON valves with hydraulic

control are installed in the kill and choke lines
and are usually kept closed.

They are operated by a hydraulic actuator,

their working pressure is 1500 psi (in
emergency conditions they can stand up to
3000 psi).

Opening and closing connections inside the

cylinder are positioned at such a distance from
the cylinder end that the piston can reach the
outlet hole before getting to stroke end. This
reduces impact thus preventing valves from
being struck.

The valve is equipped with a wheel to be

manually closed in case of emergency or to be
locked in the closing position.

The valve is equipped with two secondary

sealings: an upper sealing, analogous to the
manual valve, and a lower sealing on the
balancing stem.

A balancing stem passes through the packing unit provided in the lower part of the valve. The
stem function is:

 to balance the displaced volume during the working stem stroke to avoid pressure increases (or
decreases) inside the valve;

 indicate valve open/closed positioning (the valve is closed when the stem sticks out)

For this reason the balancing stem has a conical annular protrusion for metal-to-metal sealing
which allows the sealing unit to be replaced under pressure.

Note: The wheel does not allow manual opening of the valve: the valve must be hydraulically opened.

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4.6 ADJUSTABLE CHOKES

Chokes are valves with an

adjustable hole to control the
fluid flow coming from the well.
They can be either manually
operated (shutter cock) or
remotely hydraulically operated
(automatic control).

Their main function is to provide

back pressure to balance the well
pressure to allow blowouts to be
controlled.

Manual chokes are usually kept

as reserve chokes, while during
blowout control operations
automatic chokes are
preferably
used since they can certainly provide greater safety and functionality (they can be remotely
controlled).

They are made of highly resistant materials (carbide, tungsten, stellite, ceramic...) to resist the
abrasion created by the passage of high-speed and high-pressure fluids.

The opening can be adjusted through a cone-shaped element (shutter or needle ) which fits the
hole (seat) allowing the flow to be adjusted.

A ring nut graduated in 64ths of an inch, positioned on the needle, allows the manual-choke
opening measure to be read. The ring-nut zero point has to be matched beforehand with the
closing position.

To prevent damages, adjustable chokes should not be tested like normal valves during tests.

Note: Back pressure is caused by pressure losses inside the choke; these pressure losses, during circulation,
create the same effect as that of static pressure without circulation.

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CAMERON CHOKE (Drilling choke)

Two models of CAMERON choke are available:

Automatic choke: The choke can be manually operated through a wheel which directly controls
the opening adjustment

Manual choke:

The choke is equipped with a

control panel which allows
choke-adjustment remote
operations. It is hydraulically
operated and its position can be
read on the provided pneumatic
indicator.

Note: SAIPEM generally adopts

CAMERON automatic
chokes with the exception of
some SWACO models.

Parts

Body

Composed of two flanged connections with a

90 degrees joint for fluid passage.

Hydraulic piston

Composed of a cylinder (opening/closing

chamber) and of an internal piston. Hydraulic
connections are at the cylinder ends.

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Shutter

It is actuated by the piston and locked on the

stem, near the seat, allowing the choke
adjustment.

Seat

Accommodated inside the body, in the outlet.

Downstream, the wear sleeve is installed.

Position indicator

Pneumatic device acting on the stem; it allows

the shutter position to be read and visualised
on the control panel.

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Note: All components are H2S service and can stand temperatures ranging between -30 °C and 120 °C; on
request high-temperature spare parts are available. The seat and the shutter are in tungsten carbide to be
resistant to erosion and have symmetric-profile interchangeable ends which grant a longer service life.

Positive seal

Initially, the CAMERON choke would not allow sealing in static conditions ("non positive seal"),
but it has subsequently been modified in order to provide total sealing also in static conditions.
("positive seal") :

 an annular protrusion has been

designed inside the seat; the
front part of this protrusion
supports the shutter;

 The shutter ends have been

blunted (45 degrees) to obtain
the same inclination as the
protrusion inside the seat.

The total sealing is therefore

granted by the metal-to-metal
sealing between the protrusion and
the shutter end.

Note: If a "non positive seal" has been installed in the choke manifold, during blowout control operations the
valve behind it must be closed to read the stabilised pressure values. Subsequent to the said
modifications, the seat internal diameter is 1/4" smaller: the puller to be used to remove it must be
smaller than the one used for previous model.

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The valve is hydraulically operated through a pneumatically-operated 125 psi hydraulic pump.

The hydraulic control creates a 47.400 Kg force that can control all the working pressure values
the valve is designed for. Working pressure values range between 5.000 and 20.000 psi, and the
valve dimensions are:

-nominal diameter 3 1/16" and 4 1/16"

-seat internal diameter (hole diameter) = 1 3/4" for "positive seal" models
= 2" for "non-positive seal" models

Ather dimensions can be supplied on request.

Maintenance

Shutter replacement

1. Set the choke in the open position.

2. Unscrew and remove the hydraulic actuator by using the provided key.
3. Unscrew the shutter locking nut on the rod at the shutter end.
4. Pull out the shutter from its seat, hooking it from outside using the provided puller.
5. Inspect the shutter. If the end is worn out, turn it (if the other end is in good condition) or
replace it.5
6. Re-install the shutter.
7. Tighten the locking nut.
8. Re-install the actuator and tighten with the provided key.

The choke does not need to be removed from the choke manifold for components replacement: to
carry out replacement operations isolate it by closing the valves before and after the choke itself.

Note 5: Seat and shutter blunt ends allow these components to be used for a longer period, since either end
can be used.

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Seat and wear ring replacement

1. Unscrew and remove the hydraulic actuator by using the provided key.
2. Insert the provided puller in the seat leaning the puller plate agaist the valve body.*
3. Connect the 20.000 psi pump to the puller hydraulic connection.
4. Pressurise until the seat comes off.
5. Release pressure and remove the puller.
6. Check the wear sleeve condition after the seat and replace it if necessary.
7. Inspect the seat. If it is worn out, turn it (if the other end is in good condition) or replace it.
8. Insert the seat into place.*
9. Re-install the actuator and tighten it by using the provided key.

Notes

Step 2: there are two pullers: one for the "positive seal" model and one for the "non-positive seal" one.
Step 8: put the seat into place by using a hammer, inserting a layer of ductile material to prevent damages.

Cameron control panel

The panel allows automatic chokes

adjustment and blowout-control
pressure regulation. It is installed
on the rig floor and is connected to
the choke through:

 a hydraulic circuit to accomplish

the automatic choke opening and
closure
 a pneumatic circuit to see the
choke position.

The panel is completely pneumatic

(with the exception of the electric
stoke counter) and its functioning
depends on the installation air
circuit.

A pneumatic pump supplies the hydraulic pressure (300 psi) required for the choke opening and
closing operations.

Note: If no air is available, the pump can be manually operated through a lever positioned on the panel.

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Transmitter J2

It turns the mud real pressure into a

pneumatic signal ranging between 0
and 30 psi which can be transmitted
by low-pressure lines to pressure
gauges to read pressures.

High-pressure lines are thus

excluded and pressure values are
directly transmitted to the panel
pressure gauges.

Different types of transmitter are

available: they mainly differ in the
pressure ranges they must transmit.

To be correctly installed, the

transmitter has to be positioned
vertically.

The panel is equipped with the

following instruments:

1. Pipes pressure gauge

2. Casing pressure gauge

3. Chokes selector

4. Choke position indicator

5. Choke position adjuster

6. MAASP indicator

7. Safety unit switch

8. Pump stroke counter

Note: Pressure values are transmitted to

the panel by J2 transmitters that
turn high pressure values into
low-pressure pneumatic signals.
Pressure gauges have a ± 0.25 %
accuracy.

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1. Pipes pressure gauge

It tells the stand pipe pressure value through a transmitter

positioned on the rig floor manifold.

2. Casing pressure gauge

It tells the choke pressure value through a transmitter

positioned on the choke manifold.

3. Chokes selector

The panel is designed for remote control of two chokes

previously selected through the selector itself.

4. Choke position indicator

It tells the piston position with respect to the seat.

5. Choke adjuster

It is a lever that actuates the selected choke. Three different

positions can be selected: opening, closing and holding.
The selection of opening and closing positions cause a
movement which open or close the automatic choke. When
the holding position is selected, the choke remains in its
current position.

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6. MAASP Indicator

This pressure value, set by means of the provided knob,

does not affect the choke opening or closing until the choke
pressure reaches it.

At that moment, the safety unit will slowly open the choke
until its pressure stabilises around the defined value
(MAASP).

7. Safety unit switch

It actuates the automatic device to keep the casing pressure

at the defined value. The unit proves particularly useful
during initial blowout-control operations when shoe
fracturing has to be prevented. It must be deactivated once
the influx has penetrated the shoe because the casing
pressure value might become higher than the MAASP
value without altering the below shoe pressure value.

8. Pump stroke counter

It is composed of a pump-stroke indicator and of a selector

that defines the stroke number at which the acoustic alarm
must be activated (buzzer). It also includes:

 push-button (alarm-off) to deactivate the acoustic alarm

 switch (off-P1-P3) to activate the stroke counter and to
select the pump to be monitored
 push-button (reset) to set the stroke counter to zero.

The switch (on-off) must be in the "on" position when the counter is being set to zero by using the
reset button.

Note: The choke adjustment speed has to be set during installation to avoid water hammering phenomenon
in case of sudden closures.

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4.7 FLANGE AND RING GASKETS

Flange

Connections between the high-pressure mud-circuit components are carried out by flanges with
ring gaskets (or ring joints)

Two types of flange are generally used:

 6B
 6BX

In both types sealing is obtained by

ring gaskets and flanges are
coupled through tightening of a set
of bolts. For each type a proper
gasket ring is provided, according
to the following table:

Note: Flanges with threaded ends can stand up to 5.000 psi; above this value connections have to be flanged
or clamped.

6B Flange

Sealing takes place through the ring

gasket only (not between the flange
ends).

Bolt tightening causes a reaction in

the ring gasket without putting the
flange coupling surfaces in contact.

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6BX Flange

Bolt tightening affects the flange protruding

surface. For this reason 6BX connection
flanges must have a protruding surface to
allow contact and sealing.

Contact between the flange ends prevents

vibrations from acting on the ring gasket
affecting sealing, but the bolts loosening is
more difficult.

The ring gasket seats are designed on the flange ends with an RMS (Raffined Measuring Surface)
finishing degree of:

32 RMS for the 6B model 63 RMS for the 6BX model

The seat inclination is 23 degrees for both models. The ring gasket seats can be coated with
corrosion-proof materials.

The flange internal diameter is of the utmost importance since tools might be sent in through the
flange. In the 6BX flange the internal diameter coincides with the flange nominal diameter.

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API RP 53 Table

Note: API regulations recommend that the minimum internal diameter should coincide with the valve nominal
diameter minus 1/32".

Ring gaskets

The ring gaskets are inserted into their seats on the flange matching surfaces to ensure sealing.

They are compressed by the flange bolt torque until they are deformed creating metal-to-metal
sealing.

The ring gaskets usually selected are:

 type R

 type RX

 type BX

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Type R

The R-type ring gaskets have an oval or

octagonal section and are used for 6B flanges
with a 5000 psi maximum working pressure.

Sealing between ring and seat is obtained

through compression and thrust with
subsequent ring deformation. After
tightening, the flange ends are not in contact
but separated by a gap which depends on their
dimensions.

The R type cannot be energised and it undergoes permanent deformation. This means that if the
coupling internal pressure increases substantially, it causes a decrease of the bolts force and
subsequent loss of sealing.

Shocks, vibrations and temperature changes can alter the ring compression force with subsequent
losses.

Type RX

The RX-type ring gaskets have a non-

symmetrical octagonal section and are used
for 6B flanges with a 5000 psi maximum
working pressure. The RX seat being like the
R one, the two types are interchangeable.

Thanks to the RX-ring dimensioning, internal

pressure contributes to the ring sealing.

It is made of a particular material which

allows a certain elastic deformation so that its
energisation can compensate:

 slight variations of the flange position,

 uneven bolt tightening
 temperature changes

After tightening, the flange ends are not in contact, and the gap between them varies according to
flange type.

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Type BX

The BX-type ring gaskets have a symmetrical

octagonal section and are used for 6BX flanges
with a 5000 psi working pressure and higher.

The BX ring gaskets are energised sealing

rings; internal pressure contributes to sealing.

RX and BX types have a small balancing hole

between the upper and the lower part to balance
the two sealing flange-end pressure values.

API RP 53 regulations recommend that R, RX

and BX ring-gaskets should never be re-used, but in practice the R types is used more than once.

Maintenance

Flanges represent a sort of interruption in the installation structure and are indeed weak points
where losses might occur; it is therefore of the utmost importance to keep to the given
recommendations for the following operations:

 transportation and handling

during transportation and handling operations, flanges have to be protected with suitable
covers.

Note: The flange most delicate point is the ring-gasket seat; in case of 6BX flanges, as sealing occurs
between the flange ends, the contact surface should be also adequately protected.

 assembly

- inspect the seats to detect any notches or damages;

- clean the seats and the ring gaskets; do not use steel brushes to avoid notches;
- lubricate with a thin layer of oil, do not apply grease on matching surfaces;
- join the surfaces by the provided torque.

 use

- occasionally check the bolt torque especially if R-type rings are being used, since these might
be loosened by vibrations or temperature changes;
- suitable spare ring gaskets for the installed flange should always be kept in stock

Note: it is usually recommended that to improve sealing ring gaskets should not be covered with teflon,
rubber or any other material.

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