Orifice flanges are specialized flanges designed for use with orifice meters to measure the flow rate of fluids in piping systems. They provide a means of installing orifice plates or other flow measurement devices directly into the pipeline while also providing access for maintenance or replacement. Orifice flanges are commonly used in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical processing, and water treatment.
Orifice flanges consist of a standard flange with additional features to accommodate the installation of an orifice plate or flow measurement device. They typically have smaller bore or tapped holes on one side of the flange where the orifice plate is installed. The orifice plate is positioned between the two flanges, creating a constriction in the flow path that allows for accurate measurement of fluid flow rate.
Orifice flanges can have either a raised face (RF) or ring-type joint (RTJ) facing to provide a sealing surface for gaskets. The flanges are available in various pressure ratings, sizes, materials, and facing configurations to suit different application requirements.