Determination of Gasket Stress Levels During Thermal Transients

Abstract

The leakage of bolted flange joints at high temperature or during transient thermal shock is a well recognised problem. However, the present pressure vessel design codes do not address the effects of temperature on the integrity of the bolted joint, other than material properties. A research project currently being conducted at Ecole Polytechnique is intended to provide designers with an analytic approach for establishing the effects of thermal loading on the joint sealing ability. This paper is the fourth to be published as part of this research project. The presented analysis method enables the determination of the temperature response of the joint components to a transition in internal fluid temperature. Using this data, the worst case operating scenario may be selected and calculations performed to determine the impact of the temperature transition on the gasket stress levels. The presented analytical method is verified by comparison to finite element analysis and experimental measurement.