what is the use of spacer in piping

by Dr. Freeman McDermott III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

A spacer is a device used to create or maintain space between two objects. It is used to connect a jacking thrust ring to a pipe, for example, or to separate and stabilize multiple pipes in a conduit. Trenchless operators use a wide variety of devices during construction, and spacers are useful tools in pipe installation.

Spacer Rings, also known as piping spacers, are used between flanges to correct gaps or misalignment. Spacer rings are sometimes tapered and are almost always custom machined per very specific measurements.

Full Answer

What is a spacer used for?

A spacer is used to increase the distance between parts being fastened. Spacers are often a length of tube through which a fastener is inserted; a short spacer may therefore resemble a thick washer.

What pipe applications require pipe spacers?

The range of pipe applications that require pipe spacers is also very wide and includes steel pipe, concrete pipe, PVC pipe, polyethylene pipe, plastic pipe, welded joint pipe, mechanical joint pipe, restrained pipe, push-on pipe and more.

What is a ring spacer in plumbing?

Ring Spacer or Spacer Ring or Paddle Blank or Paddle Spacer Spacer Rings are made to match the pipe ID with the same thickness as the “single-blind” that it replaces. During the installation of spacers the flange and associated piping should be pulled together and a “the ring spacer” has to be installed to fill the gap.

What are spacers made out of?

Some spacers have a hexagonal profile combined with a plain hole. These are typically constructed from a relatively soft material such as nylon or brass.

What was the use of spacer in pipeline?

The spacer (a ring-shaped plate) is used when the line needs to be open and the spade (a solid circular shaped plate) is installed when the line needs to be blocked or closed. To change from one to the other, half the surrounding bolts need to be removed and the Spade or Spacer is swapped over.

What is spacer and blank?

Single/ Line Blind or Blank or Spacer Blind or Flange Spade or Paddle Blind. Single-blind is a positive shut-off device that is generally installed along with a valve so as to prevent accidental flow. In general, they fit inside the bolt circle of mating flanges.May 5, 2021

What is difference between spade and spacer?

The Spade or Spacer is fitted in the line between two flanges and is bolted in place. The Spacer is used when the line is required open and the Paddle Blind or Spade is installed when the line is required to be blocked or closed.

What is the purpose of spectacle blind?

Spectacle Blinds are simple safety devices that are installed between two pipe flanges. During normal operation, the open end is installed as a spacer to allow uninterrupted flow. To stop the flow in the pipeline, the blind end is rotated into place between the flanges.

What is blind in piping?

Single line blind or blank is installed adjacent to a valve to ensure positive shut-off. Their purpose is to prevent accidental flow through a pipeline to a vessel. With the exception of cast iron, plastic, or fiberglass services, they are not drilled with bolt holes, but fit inside the bolt circle of mating flanges.

What is a piping blank?

What is a line blank? A line blank can be viewed as an “isolation flange” inserted between two mating flanges to switch on or off the piping system after disassembling certain flange bolting.Sep 19, 2019

What is pipe flange spacer?

Flange SpacerPiping SpacerPipe Spacer. Spacer Rings, also known as piping spacers, are used between flanges to correct gaps or misalignment. Spacer rings are sometimes tapered and are almost always custom machined per very specific measurements. We can turn up to 84″ diameter rings in house.

What are the types of flange?

Here's a rundown of some of the most common and popular types of the flange and their uses:

Weld Neck Flanges. ...
Slip-on Flanges. ...
Threaded Flanges. ...
Blind Flanges. ...
Socket Weld Flanges. ...
Orifice Flanges.

What is slip blind?

Spectacle blind, spades, and spacers are also known as figure-8, paddle blank, Slip blind, and spacer. These are three different components that used in piping for positive isolation of the section of a line or equipment during maintenance and shutdown.

What is flange spade?

A flange spade,otherwise called steel”blanking spade”,”single-blind”,”blank” or “paddle blind”,is a metallic ring used to isolate a pipe,it is a blind plate with a handle.It has a same usage with the blind part of a spectacle blind flange.Jun 10, 2019

What is a paddle blind?

A Paddle Blind is basically the solid half of a Spectacle Blind. A Paddle Blind is often made from one solid metal disc and will usually have a thin length of metal attached to one end to be used as a handle. A finished assembly will resemble the shape of a paddle, hence the name.

What is slip on flange?

Slip on flanges are a popular type of pipe flange designed to accept pipe into the bore/center of the flange for welding around both the Outer Diameter (OD) of the pipe and on the interior side of the connection.

What is a spacer in a bolt?

A spacer is typically a simple length of tubing which increases the distance between parts and allows a bolt to pass through the center . A spacer is used to increase the distance between parts being fastened. Spacers are often a length of tube through which a fastener is inserted; a short spacer may therefore resemble a thick washer.

What is a washer spacer?

Washers are sometimes used as small spacer s. Spacers are similar to standoffs, but standoffs include a threaded shaft or hole, enabling them to be fitted without an additional fastener. These definitions are not always strictly applied and it is possible to find threaded standoffs referred to as spacers in many catalogs.

What are PCB spacers made of?

They may be referred to as PCB Spacers. Common materials for such spacers are brass, stainless steel, nylon polyoxymethylene (POM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ceramics.

Mixed Material Joints

ASME B16.48 specifies that should either the two flanges or the line blank in a flanged line blank assembly not have the same pressure-temperature rating, the rating of the assembled joint at any temperature shall be the lower of the flange or line blank rating at that temperature.

Handle

The handle or web (tie bar) may be integral or attached to the line blank or spacer. The web and its attachment shall be capable of supporting the weight of the blank or spacer in all orientations without permanent deformation to the web.

Materials of Construction

As they are normally manufactured from plates, piping materials for plates are used :

Paddle Blanks

When spectacle blinds become too heavy, pair of paddle blank and paddle spacer is used instead. A paddle blank is similar to the solid end of a figure-8 blank. It has a plain radial handle. It is generally used in conjunction with a paddle spacer in large sizes.

Paddle Spacer

Paddle spacer is used at the place of paddle blind when line is to be put into service. It serves to fill the gap between flanges due to paddle blank. Ring spacer replaces single blind, with same thickness as blind. Thick single blinds or rigid piping systems normally require ring spacers.

Jack Screw Flanges

Jack Screw Flange is required for larger size blinds. Jack screw help in spreading the flanges and replacing the spacer/blind or turning of spectacle blind.

What is a spacer in a piping system?

Spectacle blind and Spacers are a pressure-retaining device used in the piping/pipeline industry to temporarily or permanently blind (shut) or isolate part of the piping or pipeline system.

What is a ring spacer?

Ring Spacer or Spacer Ring or Paddle Blank or Paddle Spacer. Spacer Rings are made to match the pipe ID with the same thickness as the “single-blind” that it replaces. During the installation of spacers the flange and associated piping should be pulled together and a “the ring spacer” has to be installed to fill the gap.

Where are spade handle and spacers visible?

In installed position the handles of spade and spacers are visible from outside. The common handle configurations are provided below in Fig. 5

What are pipe spacers made of?

Pipe spacers are made from numerous types of materials including various types of rubber and plastics such as polyurethane, polyethylene and PVC, just to name a few. There are also various types of metallic pipe spacers, the most common of which are carbon steel and stainless steel. Pipe spacers are utilized in a variety ...

Can polyurethane spacers be adjusted?

In addition, the mechanical properties of polyurethane spacers can be adjusted through chemistry – which creates numerous opportunities to solve problems with performance characteristics unequaled in any other material.

Spectacle blinds

Spectacle Blinds are generally applied to permanently separating pipesystems, or just to connect with each other. A Spectacle Blind is a steel plate cut into two discs of a certain thickness. The two discs are attached to each other by section of steel similar to the nose piece of a pair of glasses.

Spades and Ring Spacers

Spades and Ring Spacers are basically the same as Spectacle Blinds, except that both are not attached to each other.

Surfaces - Dimensions - Material

The sealing surfaces of a Spectacle Blind, Spade or Ring Spacer are usually conducted in accordance with the Face Finish from the flange. The diameter always is slightly larger than the Raised Face of a flange; by a correct assembly, the bolts are just not touched by the Blind or Spacer.

Receiving Helpdesk