How to Choose a Pipe Fitting for Your Oil & Gas Piping
When constructing piping, you can use many different fittings. These pipe fittings serve several purposes, such as connecting pipe sections and adding functionality to the line. There are numerous types of fittings available for an oil and gas pipeline. Before installing a new section of the pipeline, it’s essential to understand which fittings you need, their purpose, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Once you understand these details, choosing the correct fitting will be simple. Choose your pipe fitting based on its primary use, materials, how often you will need to access it for routine maintenance or other reasons, and cost-effectiveness. This article details everything you need to know about pipe fittings for oil and gas pipelines to choose the right one for your particular needs.
What Are Pipe Fittings?
Pipe fittings are the section of a pipe used to connect the ends of two separate pipe sections. Fittings may also be used to add functionality to a line by installing valves, pressure regulators, and other devices along the line. All of these components are considered pipe fittings.
Pipe fittings are made of either copper, steel, or stainless steel. Copper is typically used for natural gas lines, while steel is used for oil. Stainless steel is a good option for areas subject to highly corrosive chemicals. Each of these materials comes in different grades, each with its properties and characteristics.
Since fittings are designed to connect two separate pieces of pipe, fitting sizes are generally relative to the interior pipe diameter. The outside diameter of the fitting is often referred to as its “nominal” diameter. Fittings can also be referred to by their physical dimensions, such as whether they are “compact” or “standard” in length.
Slip-On and Flare Fittings
A slip-on fitting is a connection used with the smaller, thinner-wall pipe. This fitting is quick and easy to install using a coupling or “fitting wrench.” Slip-on fittings are often used to connect short sections of steel pipe to create a longer line. A flare fitting is designed for thicker walls. This fitting is used to join two pieces of pipe of the same diameter together. In a flare fitting, the pipe’s interior is expanded by the fitting, creating a more significant connection.
Threaded Fittings
A threaded flange fitting is used to join two pieces of pipe of different diameters together. Threaded fittings come in two main types: external and internal. External fittings are screwed into the outside of the pipe, while internal fittings are installed into the inside of the pipe. For oil and gas pipelines, internal fittings are more common.
Coating, Bending and Expansion Fittings
A coating fitting is used when one pipe must be installed within another. The inner pipe is installed first, and a coating is then applied to the ends of the inner pipe and the outside of the outer pipe, creating a seal between the two. A bending fitting is used to change the direction of a pipe that is already installed.
Bending fittings have a larger radius than the pipe itself and may be used to turn the pipeline in a tight radius. A bending fitting may be required if the pipeline must change direction within a certain distance. An expansion fitting is a type of fitting used to increase the pressure of a pipeline.
This fitting is used when a line cannot reach the required pressure due to distance limitations. While other fittings can be used for pressure regulation, expansion fittings are best for long-distance pipelines since they don’t reduce pressure throughout the entire line.
Contact Us for Pipe Flanges
Pipe fittings are an essential part of any piping system, and they are regularly used in oil and gas pipelines. The fittings come in many different types, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. When selecting your fittings, it’s important to consider the materials they come in, the amount of maintenance they require, and the amount they will cost. By understanding the various types of pipe fittings, you’ll be able to choose the right ones for your particular needs.
Contact Western of Texas today at (877) 246-2429 to get a consultation with our sales team.
How to Choose a Pipe Fitting for Your Oil & Gas Piping
When constructing piping, you can use many different fittings. These pipe fittings serve several purposes, such as connecting pipe sections and adding functionality to the line. There are numerous types of fittings available for an oil and gas pipeline. Before installing a new section of the pipeline, it’s essential to understand which fittings you need, their purpose, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Once you understand these details, choosing the correct fitting will be simple. Choose your pipe fitting based on its primary use, materials, how often you will need to access it for routine maintenance or other reasons, and cost-effectiveness. This article details everything you need to know about pipe fittings for oil and gas pipelines to choose the right one for your particular needs.
What Are Pipe Fittings?
Pipe fittings are the section of a pipe used to connect the ends of two separate pipe sections. Fittings may also be used to add functionality to a line by installing valves, pressure regulators, and other devices along the line. All of these components are considered pipe fittings.
Pipe fittings are made of either copper, steel, or stainless steel. Copper is typically used for natural gas lines, while steel is used for oil. Stainless steel is a good option for areas subject to highly corrosive chemicals. Each of these materials comes in different grades, each with its properties and characteristics.
Since fittings are designed to connect two separate pieces of pipe, fitting sizes are generally relative to the interior pipe diameter. The outside diameter of the fitting is often referred to as its “nominal” diameter. Fittings can also be referred to by their physical dimensions, such as whether they are “compact” or “standard” in length.
Slip-On and Flare Fittings
A slip-on fitting is a connection used with the smaller, thinner-wall pipe. This fitting is quick and easy to install using a coupling or “fitting wrench.” Slip-on fittings are often used to connect short sections of steel pipe to create a longer line. A flare fitting is designed for thicker walls. This fitting is used to join two pieces of pipe of the same diameter together. In a flare fitting, the pipe’s interior is expanded by the fitting, creating a more significant connection.
Threaded Fittings
A threaded flange fitting is used to join two pieces of pipe of different diameters together. Threaded fittings come in two main types: external and internal. External fittings are screwed into the outside of the pipe, while internal fittings are installed into the inside of the pipe. For oil and gas pipelines, internal fittings are more common.
Coating, Bending and Expansion Fittings
A coating fitting is used when one pipe must be installed within another. The inner pipe is installed first, and a coating is then applied to the ends of the inner pipe and the outside of the outer pipe, creating a seal between the two. A bending fitting is used to change the direction of a pipe that is already installed.
Bending fittings have a larger radius than the pipe itself and may be used to turn the pipeline in a tight radius. A bending fitting may be required if the pipeline must change direction within a certain distance. An expansion fitting is a type of fitting used to increase the pressure of a pipeline.
This fitting is used when a line cannot reach the required pressure due to distance limitations. While other fittings can be used for pressure regulation, expansion fittings are best for long-distance pipelines since they don’t reduce pressure throughout the entire line.
Contact Us for Pipe Flanges
Pipe fittings are an essential part of any piping system, and they are regularly used in oil and gas pipelines. The fittings come in many different types, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. When selecting your fittings, it’s important to consider the materials they come in, the amount of maintenance they require, and the amount they will cost. By understanding the various types of pipe fittings, you’ll be able to choose the right ones for your particular needs.
Contact Western of Texas today at (877) 246-2429 to get a consultation with our sales team.
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