flange connection

Abstract

A flanged connection with a welded lip seal, with a membrane tube for receiving a pressure in a pressure space and with one longitudinal edge in the pressure chamber connected to the inner side of a first container part, a first welded lip which adjoins the other second longitudinal edge of the membrane tube and which in the installed state extends outward from the pressure space through a separating joint between the flanges of the two container parts, and a second welded lip which is connected with the second container part, the two welded lips abutting against each other at their mutually facing sides and being connected to each other at their front sides, the side of the first welded lip facing away from the second welded lip forming a sliding plane with the first container part, the membrane tube forming a connection angle alpha with the first welded lip at its second longitudinal edge in its cross section and the center of curvature point of the membrane tube in the cross section of the membrane tube lying on the side of the second longitudinal edge which in the installed state faces toward the interior of the container. The invention also relates to a pressure vessel with such a flanged connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flange connector having a welded lip seal as described in the preamble of claim 1, and a pressure vessel having such a flange connector. Background Technology

[0002] Welded lip seals are used to seal flange connections in a sealing manner, and in the process, allow for radial relative movement of the two flanges despite their different thermal expansion. They can be removed by cutting an easily accessible section of the seal.

[0003] Such a welded lip seal, particularly for pressure vessels, is known from patent publication DE4407728C1. This welded lip seal includes a membrane tube cut longitudinally along its side, the membrane tube having a flattened edge. The membrane tube extends approximately at the height of a flange connector within the pressure space, which connects two vessel sections to each other. One edge of the membrane tube is attached to the first vessel section via a welded connector. The flattened edge projects outward through a separation joint, where it is welded to the second vessel section.

[0004] The arrangement of the membrane tube within the container allows for a tight fit of the flange connections to the container wall, thus keeping the flange narrow. This results in minimal bending moments in the flange, allowing for a smaller flange to be implemented. Furthermore, it minimizes the structural space outside the container. The outwardly projecting edge of the membrane tube through the separation joint allows it to be welded from the outside and, if necessary, cut again.

[0005] Known embodiments are typically connected to the gas inlet mask of a tube bundle reactor. Further applications have emerged using a tube bundle reactor-aftercooler combination, according to EP1586370A2. There, the aftercooler is directly flanged to the tube bundle reactor with conventional flange connections. Due to the temperature difference between the reactor section and the aftercooler, different radial expansion occurs, through which conventional pressure seals can easily become leaky. The main problem of differential expansion occurs particularly in two-part vessels with large diameters. Here, the differential expansion between the two vessel sections has a particularly large impact under conditions of large temperature differences. Since the reactive gaseous products flow out from the reaction tubes, these products are often toxic or flammable, thus there is an urgent need for permanently sealing flange connections, but such applications have not yet been realized.

[0006] The reason why the device according to EP1586370A2 does not consider the flange connection according to DE4407728C1 is that the welded lip seal there is particularly suitable for use with the combination of the gas inlet mask and the central component of the tube bundle reactor. Here, the fastening seam is preferably located on the vessel shell. Therefore, the elastic portion of the welded lip seal extends mainly in the axial direction. Conversely, in the case of the tube bundle reactor-aftercooler combination according to EP1586370A2, minimizing the tube sheet distance between the two devices is of paramount importance in order to minimize the residence time of the reactant gas flowing out of the reaction tubes of the tube bundle reactor and thus avoid side reactions. The use of welded lip seals such as those known from DE4407728C1 conflicts with this because of their large axial dimensions.

[0007] In the case of the reactor according to WO2004 / 067164A1, a displacement element is specifically introduced for the gas inlet mask with reduced volume. Here, the welded lip seal is arranged outside the pressure space, i.e., outside the gas space formed by the displacement element. Apart from the displacement element, the height of the space available for installing the welded lip seal is far less restricted than in the pressure space between the displacement element and the tube sheet. The welded lip seal is shown in various single-part and multi-part embodiments. In the case of the multi-part embodiment, the edge of the flat-formed welded lip seal is replaced by a block-shaped connecting element that is guided through the separation joint and connected directly or indirectly to a second container portion on another block-shaped element outside the reactor via a sealing seam.

[0008] Different commercially available welded lip seals are described, for example, in the "Weld seal" section of the brochure by Kempchen (www.kempchen.de). The seals are optimized for sealing functionality via the welded lip or for radial expansion compensation. The radial movement path is limited to 5 mm depending on the torus wall thickness. A 2-3 mm cut loss occurs when the weld is cut. The welded lip can be cut up to 5 times. DN3000 is referred to as the maximum nominal width. Due to the short movement path under differential expansion conditions, the small maximum nominal width, and the limited number of possible separation cuts, this seal is not suitable for the applications presented here.

[0009] Such welded lip seals are also known from FR1352092 or EP1188970A2. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Here, the present invention aims to provide a remedy. Therefore, the present invention designs a flange connector according to general terminology such that it can be used in the longitudinal direction of a pressure vessel under confined space conditions between vessel portions and thereby absorb large relative movements transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel.

[0011] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a flange connector having the characteristic features of claim 1. The pressure vessel according to claim 8 is also the subject of this invention.

[0012] According to the method of the invention, two container parts of a pressure vessel can be connected in a relatively simple manner. In this case, even when there is a small space available in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel, a welded lip seal can be used to allow large relative movements transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel to occur relative to each other. In particular, the flange connector according to the invention is suitable for pressure vessels with a diameter greater than 6 m.

[0013] The present invention is based on the understanding that even when the height of the apex above the string is relatively low, the bending member has a large deformability in the direction of the string, that is, in the direction of the connecting line between its endpoints.

[0014] Since the connection angle α between the membrane tube and the first weld lip is not zero, and the center of curvature is located inside the container of the connector, the maximum longitudinal extension of the membrane tube's cross-section extends into the container, i.e., radially toward the container axis in the case of a cylindrical container, while the smaller longitudinal extension of the membrane tube's cross-section extends in the direction of the container axis. By appropriately selecting the connection angle α, the apex height of the membrane tube, and therefore the longitudinal extension of the membrane tube in the direction of the container axis, can be easily adapted to the corresponding requirements regarding the available distance between container sections in the direction of the container axis.

[0015] The membrane tube according to the invention refers to an annular tube having a cross-section of a curved membrane tube wall with a sector that can be described as having a sector angle ranging from 0° to 360°. Particularly preferred are sector angles ranging from approximately 120˚ to 210˚ or from 300˚ to 360˚. The cross-section of the membrane tube is preferably circular, but not limited thereto. Therefore, it can also be described as elliptical or other curved shapes. For example, a 360° bend can be achieved because the contour of the membrane tube does not follow a circle but is spiral.

[0016] Preferably, the membrane tube is connected to the first weld lip via a welded connector. The welded connector is an integrally joined connection and is therefore fluid-tight. It can be manufactured cost-effectively and can withstand high loads. However, other connection types, such as welded connections, are also conceivable for applications where they are more suitable.

[0017] In an advantageous further improvement of the invention, the membrane tube and the first weld lip are implemented as an integral curved portion. This solution avoids defects in the joint and the need for repair thereon. Furthermore, the mechanical quality of this transition from the membrane tube to the first weld lip is significantly improved.

[0018] Preferably, the membrane tube extends at least 180° in cross-section. This measure achieves the main degree of deformation of the membrane tube transverse to the container axis.

[0019] Advantageously, the membrane tube has a circular arc cross-section. This makes cost-effective manufacturing possible.

[0020] Preferably, the dimension of the connection angle α is in the range of 45˚ to 135˚, particularly preferably in the range of 60˚ to 120˚, and most preferably in the range of 70˚ to 100˚. Within these dimensional ranges of the connection angle α, good to very good deformability perpendicular to the container axis is achieved, wherein a relatively small dimension is present in the direction of the container axis.

[0021] The first longitudinal edge of the membrane tube is connected to the tube sheet in a fluid-tight manner at an angle β. Angle β is not particularly limited. The preferred angle range is the same as the angle range of angle α.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, another longitudinally cut membrane tube is adjacent to the first longitudinal edge. In this way, while maintaining longitudinal extension along the container axis, the deformation transverse to the container axis can be doubled.

[0023] In the container according to the invention, the container portions have different temperatures, and the first longitudinal edge is preferably connected to the smaller container portion in the pressure region. Therefore, the second longitudinal edge is connected to the hotter container portion via a first weld lip and a second weld lip connected thereto. For this purpose, the second longitudinal edge moves outward compared to the first longitudinal edge, resulting in tension being applied to the membrane tube and a reduction in the longitudinal expansion of the membrane tube in the axial direction of the container. Therefore, there is no risk of the membrane tube hitting one of the container portions during relative movement between the container portions and resulting in an uncontrolled load condition.

[0024] Advantageously, at least one spacer is arranged between at least one weld lip and a flange positioned opposite it. This measure creates space for the membrane tube in a simple manner.

[0025] Here, the sliding plane is preferably formed between the first welding lip and the spacer. Therefore, the position of the sliding plane can vary within the separation joint and can be placed in the most advantageous position under the corresponding conditions.

[0026] In a preferred further improvement of the invention, the weld lip is arranged eccentrically to the central plane between the flanges in the longitudinal direction of the container, and the membrane tube is bent toward the side with the maximum distance between the weld lip and the flanges. These measures further reduce the space requirement of the membrane tube in the axial direction of the container, as the distance between the container sections can be reduced to the height of the apex of the membrane tube. Attached Figure Description

[0027] For illustrative purposes, the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figures 1 to 7 Embodiments of a pressure vessel according to the invention are shown in partial cross-sectional views, the pressure vessel having, according to the invention, between two tube sheets ( Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 7 Or between the tube sheet and the gas inlet mask ( Figure 6 Flange connectors. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 The flange connector 1, shown in cross-section, connects the first container portion 2 and the second container portion 3, both of which include tube sheets. The first container portion 2 is defined by a first flange 4, which is located in an extension of the first tube sheet 5. A flange hole 6 is located at the radial end of the tube sheet 5. A first container wall 7 abuts the first tube sheet 5. A plurality of tubes 8 are guided through the tube sheet 5 and fluid-tightly connected to the tube sheet. Similarly, the second container portion 3 is defined in its extension by a second flange 9 and a second tube sheet 10. A flange hole 11 aligned with the flange hole 6 is provided at the radial end of the tube sheet 10. Fastening devices, not shown, are guided through flange holes 6 and 11 and connect flanges 4 and 9. The second tube sheet 10 abuts the second container wall 12. A plurality of tubes 13 are guided through the tube sheet 10 and fluid-tightly connected to the tube sheet. A spacer 14 is located between flanges 4 and 9.

[0030] Figure 1The exemplary embodiments shown can be used, for example, in a tube bundle reactor with a directly connected quencher for the preparation of acrolein, in which the reaction gases are guided through the reactor from top to bottom. Such a composition is shown, for example, in EP1586370A2. In this case, tube sheet 10 forms the lower tube sheet of the tube bundle reactor as a second container portion 3, and tube sheet 5 forms the upper tube sheet of the tube bundle heat exchanger designed as a quencher as a first container portion 2. With this container combination, the tube bundle reactor experiences significantly higher temperatures during operation due to the exothermic gas-phase reactions occurring in these reactors than the quencher directly connected to it. This causes tube sheet 10 to undergo a length expansion, particularly in the radial direction, greater than that of tube sheet 5, which is connected to the quencher.

[0031] The flange connection is sealed by a welded lip seal 15 formed by a longitudinally cut, curved membrane tube 16 having a semi-circular cross-section and a first welded lip 17. The membrane tube 16 functions as an expansion compensator acting radially to the container axis. Here, the first longitudinal edge 18 of the membrane tube 16 is fluid-tightly secured to the interior of the first container portion, preferably by means of... Figure 1 The welded connection shown is fastened to the tube sheet 5. This first weld is also referred to as the fastening joint. The second longitudinal edge 19 of the membrane tube 16 is connected to the first weld lip 17 at an angle α other than zero, where a connection is established by a weld. In the cross-section of the membrane tube 16, the center of curvature 20 of the diaphragm tube 16 is located on the side of the second longitudinal edge facing the interior of the container in the installed state.

[0032] In the installed state, the first weld lip 17 extends radially outward through the separation joint 21 between flanges 4 and 9. Here, the first weld lip 17 forms a sliding plane 22 on the side facing the first container portion. On the side of the first weld lip 17 facing the second container 3, the first weld lip abuts against the second weld lip 23 and is preferably fluid-tightly secured to the second weld lip by a radially outward front weld connector 24. This second weld is also referred to as a sealing joint. The second weld lip 23 is connected to the spacer 14 and to the tube sheet 10 of the second container portion 3. During operation, the tube sheet 10 expands more than the tube sheet 5. The tube sheet 10 can move freely radially outward along the sliding plane 22. During this process, the membrane tube 16 is elastically pulled apart in the radial direction, and in this state, the sealing tightness of the flange connector 1 is also ensured. Since more free space is created, for example, through the inclined surface 25 on the outer side of the flange, accessibility to the front weld connector 24 is improved. By radially orienting the membrane tube 16, the volume between the intermediate spaces 26 is minimized. Here, the tube sheet distance 27 between the tube sheets 5 and 10 is chosen to be so large that a specified minimum distance 28 from the membrane tube 16 to the nearest tube sheet, i.e., to the tube sheet 10, is adhered.

[0033] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A variation of the exemplary embodiment. Here, only the substantial differences are discussed. Here, the weld lip seal 15 is implemented as an integral curved portion together with the functional areas of the membrane tube 16 and the first weld lip 17. In this case, the connection angle α is defined by the tangent at the turning point 29 and the normal axis of the container. Here, a plate in the form of an annular fan can be used as raw material, in which case the portion corresponding to the bend of the membrane tube 16 is manufactured by progressive bending in a bending machine with approximately spherical rollers. It can also be manufactured using a press. This method requires a higher initial investment cost. However, it has the advantage of avoiding weld defects at the transition from the membrane tube 16 to the first weld lip 17, and therefore the mechanical quality of the transition is significantly better than that of a weld. In this case, the first weld lip 17 is supported on a separate weld lip support 30, which is fluid-tightly connected to the flange 5. As a further measure to reduce the tube sheet distance 27, a recess 31 is provided on the tube sheet on the convex side of the membrane tube 16, into which the membrane tube 16 extends a short distance. The membrane tube 16 is arranged such that it is adhered to the spacer 14 at a specified minimum distance 32 in the radial direction. For monitoring the sealing performance of the weld lip seal 15, an external test channel 33 is drilled in the first flange 4. An internal test channel 34 intersecting the external test channel 33 forms a connection to the gas space on the pressure-reverse side. A suitable connector 35 is provided at the inlet of the external test channel 33, to which a pressure gauge and / or gas analyzer can be connected.

[0034] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 Other possible embodiments. Here, the first longitudinal edge 18 of the membrane tube 16 is fluid-tightly fastened to the inside of the first container section, which is fastened to the tube sheet 5. The second longitudinal edge 19 of the membrane tube 16 is fastened to the intermediate block 36. Here, the radially outward weld lip 17 is an integral part of the intermediate block 36. The intermediate block 36 is supported on the weld lip support 30 and forms a sliding plane 22 on the surface in contact with it. On the side facing the second container, the first weld lip 17 abuts against the second weld lip 23 and is connected to the second weld lip via the front weld connector 24. The second weld lip 23 is connected to the spacer 14, and the spacer is connected to the support 37, which in turn is connected to the tube sheet 10 of the second container section 3. The radial relative movement of the two flanges 4 and 9 is facilitated by the sliding material coating 38 in the separation joint 21. The container trial operation is possible under pressure even if no weld has formed, by means of the conventional seal 39 located in the groove. The recess 31 on the tube sheet side allows for a further reduction in distance 27, which is opposite to the convex side of the membrane tube.

[0035] Figure 4 One embodiment is shown in which the membrane tube 16 is fluid-tightly connected at its first longitudinal edge 18 to a first intermediate block 36.1, which in turn is connected to a first spacer 14.1, and the first spacer is finally connected to a tube sheet 5, wherein all connections are fluid-tight. For simplicity, the presentation of other container features such as container walls or flange details is omitted below. The membrane tube 16 extends radially inward from its first longitudinal edge 18 and is again guided back to the flange side with the same curvature to reach the outside, where it is connected at its second longitudinal edge 19 to a second intermediate block 36.2 at an angle α that is not equal to zero. Here, the radially outward welded lip 17 is an integral part of the second intermediate block 36.2. In the cross-section of the membrane tube 16, the center point of curvature 20 of the membrane tube is located on one side of the second longitudinal edge, which faces the interior of the container in the installed state. This other design is similar to Figure 1 The design is similar. On the side of the first weld lip 17 facing the second container, the first weld lip abuts against and is fluid-tightly fastened to the second weld lip 23. In this case, the second weld lip 23 is an integral part of the second spacer 14.2. The sliding plane 22 of the weld lip seal is formed by the contact surfaces of the first intermediate block 36.1 and the second intermediate block 36.2. The embodiment of the membrane tube with a nearly perfectly circular cross-section has the advantage of minimizing radial inward extension if desired for design reasons. With the same flexible perimeter of the membrane tube with a semi-circular cross-section, the membrane tube diameter can be reduced by this embodiment. Furthermore, the tube sheet distance can be further reduced by recesses 31 on one or both tube sheets. This embodiment also provides the advantage that the functional components 36.1, 16, and 36.2 can be prefabricated outside the container by means of welds 18 and 19 and subsequently connected to the container without having to fabricate the sensitive membrane tube 16.

[0036] Figure 5An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the recessed side of the membrane tube 16 points toward the pressure side of the intermediate space 26 between the two tube sheets 5 and 10. Here, the first longitudinal edge 18 of the membrane tube 16 is also fluid-tightly secured to the inside of the first container portion, which is secured to the tube sheet 5. The second longitudinal edge 19 of the membrane tube 16 is secured to the intermediate block 36. Due to the special arrangement of the membrane tube, the connection angle α from the membrane tube to the intermediate block is greater than 90°. Therefore, the connection angle β from the membrane tube to the tube sheet is greater than 180°. Here, the radially outward weld lip 17 is an integral part of the intermediate block 36. The intermediate block 36 is supported on a weld lip support 30, which functions as a spacer. On the contact surface with the weld lip support 30, the intermediate block 36 forms a sliding plane 22. On the side facing the second container, the first weld lip 17 abuts against the second weld lip 23 and is connected to it via a front weld connector 24. The second welding lip 23 is an integral part of the spacer 14, which is connected to the tube sheet 10 of the second container section 3. A recess 31 on one side of the tube sheet, opposite the convex side of the membrane tube, allows for a further reduction in distance 27.

[0037] exist Figure 6 The diagram shows a flange connection 1 between the tube sheet 5, which is part of the first container section 2, and the gas inlet mask 40, which is part of the second container section 3. The gas inlet mask 40 essentially consists of a curved bottom 41, a block flange 42, a conical displacement member 43, a connecting device 44, and a gas inlet (not shown). Gas that has entered through the gas inlet flows into the intermediate space 26 between the tube sheet 5 and the displacement member 43, and from there flows out into the reaction tube 8. In the case of explosive gases, the aim is to minimize the volume of the intermediate space 26 to limit the potential effects of an explosion. In this case, a significant differential expansion also occurs between the hot tube sheet 5 of the tube bundle reactor and the gas inlet mask 40 with the block flange 42, through which the relatively cooler reaction gas flows. These differential expansions are compensated by a welded lip seal 15, whose membrane tube 16 is welded to the displacement member 43 at its first longitudinal edge 18. In this case, the membrane tube 16 is first welded to an intermediate plate 45, which is then welded to the displacement member 43. The reason for arranging this intermediate plate 45 is that the gas inlet mask 40 represents a pressure vessel. Once the inspection agency has given its final approval, replacement of this pressure vessel is no longer permitted. If a complete or partial replacement of the membrane tube 16 is required, only the weld of the intermediate plate, which is not functionally part of the actual pressure vessel, is cut open.

[0038] The connection between the welded lip seal and the flange is performed similarly to the exemplary embodiment described above. A first welded lip 17 is used, which is connected to a second welded lip 23 via a front welded connector 24. Here, the second welded lip 23 is also an integral part of the spacer 14.

[0039] Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment with particularly large radial compensation capability and short tube sheet distance is shown. Here, the expansion element consists of a double-wave membrane tube 46, the protrusions of which both protrude into recesses 31 of the relatively positioned tube sheet. Here, the first longitudinal edge 18 of the first membrane tube 16 abuts against the second membrane tube 47, which is fluid-tightly connected to the tube sheet 5. The remaining functional parts are derived from the description in the above figures. When the additional space requirement in the radial direction is only secondary to the expansion aspect, it is suitable for membrane tubes divided into multiple sections in the radial direction. Basically, embodiments with more than two membrane tube sections are possible, but these are not shown further here.

[0040] The radially outer end of the membrane tube is preferably connected to the flange that undergoes greater expansion during operation than the other flange. Similarly, connection to a flange undergoing less expansion is also possible. However, in this process, the membrane tube is compressed, and sufficient axial movement space must be provided for the membrane tube at the tube sheet.

[0041] from Figures 1 to 7 As can be clearly seen from the exemplary embodiments shown, the position of the membrane tube can be different. To this end, the position of the membrane tube is first determined, and then its diameter and wall thickness, as a function of this, are determined. The calculations are based on the maximum expected temperature difference between tube sheets 5 and 10, and the maximum expected differential expansion corresponding to the material properties. For compensation of the differential expansion between tube sheets 5 and 10, an elastic embodiment is preferably desired, which can be achieved by a membrane tube 16 with a preferred large diameter and preferred small wall thickness. This contrasts with the requirement for sufficient strength regarding the gas pressure in the intermediate space 26, which can be achieved by a membrane tube with a preferred small diameter and preferred large wall thickness. In addition, fatigue strength and the minimum distance 27 from the membrane tube 16 to the adjacent tube sheet must be considered. Therefore, the dimensions of the membrane tube are determined through optimized calculations taking into account all peripheral conditions.

[0042] In all embodiments, the welded lip seal is preferably made of a continuous component. However, in cases with very large flange diameters, or when the welded lip seal is to be replaced, it may also be prefabricated as multiple transportable annular segments. At the assembly location, these segments are then joined to form a complete ring, and subsequently installed in a container.

[0043] Within the scope of this invention, the various features of the exemplary embodiments shown can be combined with each other in different ways.

[0044] List of reference numerals 1. Flange connector 2 First Container Part 3. Second container section 4 First flange 5 First Tube Sheet 6. Flange hole in the first flange 7 First container wall 8 Tubes in the first tube sheet 9 Second flange 10 Second Tube Sheet 11. Flange hole in the second flange 12 Second container wall 14 Spacers 14.1 First spacer 14.2 Second spacer 15 Welded lip seals 16 membrane tubes 17 First welding lip edge 18. The first longitudinal edge of the membrane tube 19. The second longitudinal edge of the membrane tube 20. Center point of curvature 21 Separation joint 22 Sliding plane 23 Second welding lip edge 24 Front welded connectors 25. Inclined surface on the flange side 26 Intermediate Space 27 Tube sheet distance 28. Minimum distance from the membrane tube to the adjacent tube sheet 29 Turning Point 30 Welded lip support 31. Depression 32 Minimum distance to the spacer 33 External Testing Channels 34 Internal Testing Channel 35 Connectors to the test channel 36 intermediate blocks 36.1 First intermediate block 36.2 Second intermediate block 37 Support components 38 Sliding Material Coating 39. Seals 40 Gases Entering the Mask 41. Curved bottom 42 flanges 43 Displacement components 44 Connecting device 45 Intermediate Plate 46 Dual-wavelength diaphragm tube 47. Other membrane tubes α Angle between the membrane tube and the first welding lip The connection angle between the β membrane tube and the first container.

Claims

1. A flange connector (1) for two container portions (2, 3) of a pressure vessel, having a welded lip seal (15), having A longitudinally cut membrane tube (16) is designed to receive pressure present in the pressure space of the pressure vessel, and a first longitudinal edge (18) of the membrane tube in the pressure space is fluid-tightly connected to the inside of a first container section (2) in the container section. A first weld lip (17) is fluid-tightly abutted to another second longitudinal edge (19) of the membrane tube (16) and extends outward from the pressure space in the installed state through a separation joint (21) between the flanges (4, 9) of the two container portions (2, 3), and the flange connector has The second welding lip (23) is capable of being fluid-tightly connected to the second container portion (3) within the container portion. in, The two weld lips (17, 23) abut against each other on their facing surfaces and are fluid-tightly connected to each other at their front sides. The surface of the first welding lip (17) facing away from the second welding lip (23) forms a sliding plane (22) relative to the first container portion (2). Its features are, In the cross-section of the membrane tube (16), -The membrane tube (16) forms a connection angle α, which is different from zero, with the first welding lip (17) at its second longitudinal edge (19), and - The curvature center point (20) of the membrane tube (16) is located on the side of the second longitudinal edge (19) facing the inside of the container in the installed state.

2. The flange connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane tube (16) is connected to the first welding lip (17) via a welding connector.

3. The flange connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane tube (16) and the first welding lip (17) are formed as a single piece as a curved portion.

4. The flange connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane tube (16) extends more than 180˚ in the cross-section.

5. The flange connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the membrane tube (16) is a circular arc cross-section.

6. The flange connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The size of the connection angle α is in the range of 45˚ to 135˚.

7. The flange connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The magnitude of the connection angle α is in the range of 60˚ to 120˚.

8. The flange connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The magnitude of the connection angle α is in the range of 70˚ to 100˚.

9. The flange connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first longitudinal edge (18) is adjacent to another longitudinally cut membrane tube (47).

10. A pressure vessel having at least two container portions (2, 3), each container portion including a flange (4, 9), wherein, The flanges (4, 9) are positioned opposite each other in the pressure space of the pressure vessel and are connected to each other by flange connectors (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The pressure vessel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The container portions (2, 3) have different temperatures, and the first longitudinal edge (18) in the pressure space is connected to the colder container portion.

12. The pressure vessel according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, At least one spacer (14, 14.1, 14.2) is arranged between at least one welding lip (17, 23) and the flange positioned opposite thereto.

13. The pressure vessel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The sliding plane (22) is formed between the first welding lip (17) and the spacer (14.1).

14. The pressure vessel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The weld lips (17, 23) are arranged outside the center relative to the central plane between the flanges along the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel, and the membrane tube (16) bends toward the side with a greater distance between the weld lips (17, 23) and the flanges (4, 9).

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