GASKET SELECTION AND ASSEMBLY CRITERIA FOR INTERNAL SEALING MANWAYS AND HANDHOLES

摘要

Internal sealing manways, hand-holes, drum doors, etc. present very unique sealing and assembly challenges. Unlike other conventional gasketed connections, the majority of the gasket compression forces are developed during operation, and not during assembly. This creates several critical issues that must be understood and overcome in the original gasket selection process and the assembly itself. Even if considered and addressed in the original gasket selection and assembly process, these internal sealing manways will likely still require a post start-up retorque. The timing of the re-torque is of critical importance in ensuring worker safety and continued equipment reliability and uptime.