Hi,

I am new to PVElite and I have a doubt on the flange calc on its gasket seating.

I have found "Min. Gasket Contact Width (Brownell Young) [Not an ASME Calc] [Nmin]" just below the bolting information. I wonder what is it trying to mean that it is 'not an ASME calc'? Is this a mandatory requirement whereby the calculated min width shall be used for gasket selection in actual fabrication?

Thank you,
yl0525

As per my understanding of Gaskets, ASME has no mandatory rules for gasket width if you are desiging a Non-Standard flange as per Appendix 2. There you can find a table which shows recommended values based on diameter. As a guide line you can use them. if you are desigin flange for a heat exhanger as per Appendix 2 and TEMA has also to comply then do note that as per TEMA you need to fulfill the miniumum required width as tabulted in TEMA based on serivce type (R, C, B) and diameter.

Brownel young has given a formula which determines the minimum gasket width to withstand internal pressure without leakge and gasket being blown out.The width required is formulated based on formulas.

As a designer I would prefer to comply atleast what brown young forumaltions give. and if TEMA is there then obviously maximum of (Brownel young and TEMA) and then its upto the designer to go for Appendix 2 widths which are quite larger in comparsion with TEMA.

I would also request other experts in this regard to comment. What I have written is based no my epxerience and study. There may be other factors I am not sure about which other member of this dicussion may elaborate.