Flange with alternate bolts is allowed or not ?

[PP007]

we have polymer plant, in certain condition plant upsets resulting product discharge line reducer ( flanged one 10" x 8" ) getting plug & need to clean the reducers till the plant get normal. in this condition to minimize the reducer flange opening & box up activity, can we keep the flanges on alternate bolts so that opening & box up can be done faster. Line pressure is around 9 kg/cm2 &product is polymer granules with dissolved hydrocarbon.

What standards & recommended practice says ? or any other bolt arrangement which can be done faster.

 

[mk3223]

IMO, it's to save the Maintenance time and effort in expense of the operation safety. Is it acceptable by the Plant Operation or Management?

This alternative won't be present in the industrial Standard or Code. And, I don't believe you want to take responsibility for this recommendation.

 

[LittleInch]

The standards and recommended practice is quote clear. ALL the bolts are required all the time.

Now what else you can use is some sort of hub clamp or other quick release coupling. Like this.

https://goo.gl/images/PnnV5r

You can often find them with a hinge and a single bolt depending on line size and pressure rating.

Taking bolts out is potentially very dangerous and you could be prosecuted if it harms anyone.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[garciaf]

please could you give more information about this, plase do a scheme.
For security the best is all bolts, with their adequeate torque, according studbolt diameter.
I saw I connection that maybe can be usuful for my that is the camlock flange connection, [gall thomson]. This connection is used in marine terminal when your are connecting to a tanker manifold, in order to minimize the time.
that why I asking you for a scheme in order to see how it is.

 

[PP007]

Thanks to all of you for giving guidanace