scope:

2.1 SCOPE OF ANALYSIS PROJECT

The sizes of interest are shown in Table 2.1. The ANSI(7) sizes are adopted by API 6D. The API sizes refer to those in 6A.

Table 2.2 shows the materials and gasket types of interest. As can be seen, there are a large number of sizes and combinations of materials and gaskets.

One very important point is that this work, and the previous research projects which preceeded it, are based on the fire test procedure in API RP 6F. Whether or not API RP 6F adequately defines a "true" fire is totally outside the scope of this project. The test simulates a closed condition with no flow through the connection. If there were flow through the connector, the heat transfer response would likely be different. Also, the external loads from dead weight, piping system thermal expansion, wind, etc., could significantly affect a joint's performance in a fire. These effects could be included in the design procedures reported herein, but they are not in the scope of this project.