Pipe fittings are essential components in piping systems, used to connect, control, and direct the flow of fluids. Here are some of their main applications:
- Connection and Change of Pipeline Direction
- Elbows: They are used to change the direction of the pipeline. For example, in the water supply system of a building, 90 - degree elbows are often used to connect the horizontal and vertical pipelines, enabling the water to flow to different floors and rooms. In industrial pipelines, elbows can also help the pipeline bypass obstacles or adapt to the layout of the equipment.
- Tees and Crosses: Tees are used to divide or combine the flow of fluids. In a fire - fighting water supply system, tees are used to connect the main pipeline with the branch pipelines, so that the water can be supplied to each fire - fighting nozzle. Crosses, on the other hand, allow the connection of four pipelines, which is often seen in complex piping systems such as chemical plants, enabling the flow of different media to be distributed and combined as needed.
- Control of Fluid Flow
- Valves: They are important pipe fittings for controlling the flow of fluids. Globe valves are often used in small - diameter pipelines to precisely control the flow rate and pressure of fluids. Gate valves are suitable for large - diameter pipelines and are used to completely open or close the pipeline. In the oil and gas industry, ball valves are widely used because of their good sealing performance and fast opening and closing speed, which can quickly cut off the flow of oil and gas in case of emergencies.
- Flowmeters: They are used to measure the flow rate of fluids. In water supply and drainage systems, water meters are a type of flowmeter that measures the amount of water used. In industrial production, various types of flowmeters, such as turbine flowmeters and electromagnetic flowmeters, are used to monitor and control the flow of raw materials and products to ensure the normal operation of the production process.
- Pipeline Support and Fixing
- Flanges: They are used to connect pipelines and equipment. In power plants, flanges are used to connect the boiler pipelines with the turbines and other equipment. The connection of flanges is convenient for installation and maintenance, and can also ensure the sealing performance of the pipeline.
- Pipe Hangers and Supports: They are used to support and fix the pipeline. In high - rise buildings, pipe hangers are used to suspend the water supply and drainage pipelines to prevent the pipelines from sagging and ensure their stability. In industrial plants, pipe supports are used to bear the weight of the pipeline and the medium in it, and to reduce the vibration and displacement of the pipeline.
