Sealing 4740 high pressure vessels, Other vessel head fittings, Gage block assemblies – Parr Instrument 4700 User Manual
Page 9: Pressure gages, Safety rupture discs, Coned pressure fittings, General purpose pressure vessels
 
General Purpose Pressure Vessels
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Sealing 4740 High Pressure Vessels
Closing operations for the 1.0 inch I.D., Series 4740 
high pressure vessels are similar to those described 
for larger vessels with flexible graphite gaskets, 
except on the 4740 Series the compression screws 
are carried in a screw cap instead of in a split ring. 
When closing a 4740, clamp the cylinder in a vise; 
check the graphite gasket to be sure that it fits prop-
erly in the head groove; set the head on the cylinder 
and add the compression ring. Check the screw cap 
to be sure that the six screws have been turned back 
so that they do not project through the cap, and then 
screw the cap onto the cylinder. Turn it down as far 
as it will go, then back it off about 1/8 turn. Now, 
tighten the screws with a torque wrench with an 
initial 10 ft-lbs using the criss-cross pattern described 
for larger vessels. After all have been tightened to 
10 ft-lbs, repeat the procedure, increasing the torque 
until all have been tightened to the recommended 15 
ft-lb limit.
OTHER VESSEL HEAD FITTINGS
Gage Block Assemblies
Parr gage block assemblies combine the function of 
an inlet valve, a pressure gage and a safety rupture 
disc in a compact assembly on a block which can 
be attached to the head of a pressure vessel with a 
single connecting tube. There is a threaded socket 
in the block for a gas connection with a pressure 
hose or tubing using a Type A coned pressure fitting. 
Coned pressure fittings are also used on the tube 
which connects the block to the pressure vessel. 
The valve in this assembly controls the flow of gas 
into the vessel and the gage shows the internal 
pressure when the valve is closed. Two styles are 
offered: The 4316 gage block assembly has a 3-1/2” 
dia. pressure gage and a Type A socket connector. 
This unit is normally used on smaller vessels where 
space is limited. 
The 4317 gage block assembly has a 4-1/2” dia. gage 
and a Type B connector. It is typically furnished on 
vessels one liter and larger.
Pressure Gages
Pressure gages display in both psi and bar in vari-
ous ranges for use on Parr gage block assemblies. 
The available ranges are shown in the gage block 
parts list. All of these gages have stainless steel 
cases with T316SS Bourdon tubes and ¼” NPT male 
connections. Gages constructed of Alloy 400 are 
available on special order.
Safety Rupture Discs
Detailed instructions for the safety rupture disc 
installed in Parr gage blocks and heads are provided 
in a separate Instruction Sheet No. 231M. The user 
should review these instructions carefully. Please 
note that the operating pressures in the vessel 
should not exceed 90% of the range of the pressure 
gage and rupture disc. Also note the warning that 
the discharge port from the rupture disc must always 
be directed away from all operating personnel. A 
compression fitting for use with 3/8” O.D. tubing is 
attached to the rupture disc body. It is recommend-
ed that tubing be attached to this connector to carry 
any discharge to a fume hood or safe area in the 
event of an over-pressure. The free or discharge end 
of any attached tubing must be anchored securely.
Coned Pressure Fittings
The coned pressure fittings used to connect gage 
blocks, pressure hoses and other detachable parts 
to Parr pressure vessels are illustrated below. These 
fittings have a sleeve with a left-handed thread 
which screws onto the end of a thick-walled tube 
plus a compression nut to complete the assembly. 
When screwed into a matching socket, these parts 
form a rigid joint which will remain tight over a wide 
temperature and pressure range, yet the joint can be 
made and broken repeatedly without destroying the 
sealing faces. No gasket is required.
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