Mounting device for a flat seal of a flange connection

A method for mounting a flat seal in a flange connection comprising two flanges, the method comprising:

• a) inserting the flat seal into a groove of a first of the two flanges, wherein an outer edge of the flat seal adjoins an outer edge of the groove;
• b) selecting a mounting device having a clamping jaw and a tapering nose at an end of the clamping jaw, wherein a thickness of the clamping jaw of the mounting device is selected to be smaller than a thickness of the flat seal;
• c) pressing the clamping jaw of the mounting device against an inside of the first flange, wherein the nose of the clamping jaw is positioned over the outer edge of the flat seal and opposite the groove of the first flange;
• d) fastening, by a fastener thereof, the mounting device to the first flange arranged outside of a clearance for the flange connection, whereby the flat seal is fixed in the groove of the first flange;
• e) pressing a second of the two flanges against the first flange, wherein the second flange is distanced from the flat seal by the clamping jaw;
• f) releasing the fastener of the mounting device and removing the clamping jaw from the clearance between the two flanges, wherein the flat seal remains held in its position in the groove of the first flange;
• and
• g) generating a contact pressure and deforming the flat seal in the flange connection.

An arrangement, comprising:

• a first flange with a groove for a flat seal;
• and
• a mounting device with a clamping jaw having a nose arranged in a clearance of the flange, wherein the clamping jaw tapers at a free end thereof to the nose for holding the flat seal,
• wherein the nose and the groove together form a restricted guidance for the flat seal,
• wherein the tapering comprises a rounded contour, and
• wherein the free end of the clamping jaw comprises a thinnest portion of the clamping jaw.