Flanges are used to connect pipes with each other, to valves, to fittings, and to specialty items such as strainers and pressure vessels. A cover plate can be connected to create a "blind flange". Flanges are joined by bolting, and sealing is often completed with the use of gaskets or other methods.
Usually, the flanges are threaded or welded, and you can connect the two flanges with the help of a gasket, which provides easy access to the piping system. These flanges include socket weld flanges, blind flanges, weld-decked flanges and slip-on flanges, etc. there are as many types available.
Flanges Provide Easy Maintenance A connection using flanges makes maintenance much easier. This is particularly true for rigid lines in continuous pipes and metal tubes. Flanges also afford easy disconnecting, reconnecting, and zero-clearance assembly for better maintenance of manifold, tube, and hose connections.
However, standard ball valves do not offer the fine control that may be necessary in throttling applications, but V ported ball variations are available for control purposes. The unrestricted bore in full bore ball valves make them ideal for hot tapping andpigging.
Being a quarter turn from fully open to fully closed, and having a relatively low operating torque, ball valves can be readily actuated for remote operation.
