Vector SPO Compact Flange

Save Weight, Space, Time and Money!

The Vector SPO Compact Flange has been used across the globe since 1989, offshore, onshore and subsea, offering significant weight and space savings over conventional flanges, leak-free joint integrity and therefore is the most effective environmentally friendly piping joint available today.Its double sealing action prevents hydrocarbon releases, addressing health and safety issues and concerns.

Typically weighing between 70 - 82% less than a conventional flange, the Vector SPO Compact Flange is designed using state-of-the-art finite element analysis and is in full accordance with ASME VIII, Div 2 provisions and with ANSI/ASME B31.3.

Product Description

Benefits:

Size & Weight

The Vector SPO Compact flange is up to 60% smaller and 80% lighter proven alternative to conventional ASME flanges.

Static connection

No relative flange movement of SPO components even under extreme loads.The only flange that meets the strict design requirements in DNV-OS-F201 and ISO 13628-7.

Fully flush bore

The faces have full contact at the internal bore. There is no discontinuity which can disturb the flow.

Suitable for HPHT applications

Suitable for high pressure (available up to 20,000psi) or extreme temperature requirements

 

More Benefits:

  • Corrosion/erosion prevention
    No corrosion/erosion problems on SPO® Compact Flange faces.
  • Superior sealing
    High integrity product, providing a 100% leak free connection protecting the environment. Often used in critical areas where conventional flanges are not accepted.
  • Easy, quick and reliable make-up
    Compact bolt tensioners & standard torque tools are available for easy make-up. Compact Flanges require less time to makeup than conventional flanges.
  • A wider range of pressure classes and sizes than any other flange standard
    Compact bolt tensioners & standard torque tools are available for easy make-up. Compact Flanges require less time to makeup than conventional flanges.
  • Swivel flanges available in all sizes and pressure classes
  • Special design available upon request
  • Reusable metal sealrings
  • Excellent load carrying capabilities
  • Available in all metal types

Technical Specifications

 

Compact through design

Highly reliable with a probability of leakage in the same range as a pipe-girth weld, the Vector SPO® Compact Flange has been subjected to an intensive, full-scale verification and testing programme. Finite element analysis and full-scale testing was used in pre-qualification for riser installations. There was close correlation between FEA and full-scale test results.

The full testing procedure comprised:

  • Multiple make-up, break-out and interchangeability
  • Combined external loading and hydrostatic pressure tests as well as high pressure gas tests
  • Pressure & temperature cycling tests
  • Fatigue test simulating 150 years of riser exposure
  • Extended fatigue test to failure
  • Fire tests according to API Specification 6FB
  • Burst tests

 

 

Three effective seals in sequence providing joint integrity and safety

  • The Vector SPO compact flange was developed by Steelproducts Offshore A/S, using extensive testing and finite element analysis.
  • First used for a workover riser in 1989 and subsequently for production and export risers. No operational leakage for more than 400.000 flange-years of operation, mainly thanks to the 100% static sealing conditions.
  • Engineered with additional capacity to accommodate external loads,valve neck configurations and standard make-up tools
  • Independently verified as a high quality, highly reliable connector with the mechanical strength of a girth weld
  • The Vector SPO compact flange has two independent seals in series together with an additional environmental seal.
  • Designed to be used in temperatures ranging from -200ºC to 720ºC
  • One sealring size for each nominal pipe size
  • Designed as a static connection, removing the disadvantages of the dynamics provided by conventional flanges like gasket relaxation, cyclic flange rotation, flange separation, bolt bending, non-uniform bolt load,...
  • The Vector SPO compact flange can be used as well for subsea applications

 

 


A true static connection

The flange’s static behavior under any design load condition ensures that neither dynamic, nor static loading, will degrade the seal performance or other characteristics within the capacity of the corresponding pipe. Furthermore, the bolted joint fatigue life exceeds the fatigue life of the adjoining welded pipe. This high performance is achieved through its unique design and full flange face contact. Due to the high preloading of the bolts, no adjustment or re-tightening is required in service. Indeed, the Vector SPO® Compact Flange has been successfully deployed in temperatures ranging from -200 °C to +720 °C with absolutely no need for bolt re-tightening.

FIGURE STATIC CONNECTION:  Dynamic loading does not have an impact on the Vector SPO® Compact Flange, however, on the ASME flange the bolting may loosen and the flange will start leaking (when bolting hasn’t been re-tightened within due time).