Bolted Flanged Joints: New Methods and practices

Hydratight technical experts will be among specialists offering the latest insights on flanged, bolted joint developments at an international conference in March.

Bolted Flanged Joints, New Methods and Practices (The Castlegate, Newcastle, March 16-17) is an event organised by the Pressure Systems Group of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers that brings together engineers and academics to discuss new methods and practices in the design, selection, assembly and maintenance of safety critical joints in pressure systems. As a leader in its field, Hydratight was a natural choice to provide technical experts to speak at the event.

Delegates will also gain insights on the latest gasket materials, safe working practices, common errors and other essentials, including operations issues and leak management and avoidance.

Among the speakers will be Hydratight technical services leader Robert Noble, who will launch the two-day seminar with a talk comparing the management of welded and bolted joints and changing standards for the latter.

On the second day, Robert will present a paper on management of joints in pressurised systems, detailing the essential elements of such systems, from technology and practice to leak management and analysis methods.

Hydratight global engineering manager Tony Scrivens will present a paper on bolt tightening methods covering manual, torque wrench and bolt tensioning technologies. During this section speakers from other organisations will cover the factors that effect bolt-load measurement accuracy, bolt-load measurement for extended reliability in workplace settings, and an overview of the use of air-gap technology to measure loads.

The series of lectures is aimed at engineers working on pressure systems, subsea and topside pipeline specialists, pressure equipment health and safety officers and engineers in the process, petrochemical, powergen and oil and gas industries.