Had a flange gasket blow on a 300 psi steam line yesterday

We were doing a pressure test on a new boiler install at the paper mill in Everett. Right at 280 psi, the gasket on the main steam outlet flange let go with a huge pop. Steam filled the room for about ten seconds before we could shut the main valve. We used a Victor torch to heat the bolts and a 1-inch impact to get the old flange apart. What's the best gasket material you guys use for high-pressure steam over 250 psi these days?

3 comments

3 Comments

mason8473mo ago

Honestly, that sounds pretty standard for a pressure test. Seen plenty of gaskets pop during a hydro or steam test, it's kind of the point to find the weak spots. Tbh, 280 psi isn't even that crazy high for a decent spiral-wound gasket. Were you guys using the old style cut sheet gasket or something?

xenawhite3mo ago

Maybe, but blowing a gasket at 280 still feels like a design flaw, doesn't it?

the_lucas2mo ago

I actually see it a bit differently @xenawhite. 280 psi really isn't that extreme for a lot of gasket materials, especially if the flanges were torqued right. Sounds like a material selection issue to me more than a design flaw, honestly.