U.S. Bellows, Inc. recently custom designed and fabricated five fabric expansion joints for a power system company in Texas. The expansion joints range in size from 30 to 62 in diameter and the rectangular expansion joints measure 81 x 18 and 136 x 54. They are designed to operate from 0.8 to 5 PSIG and in temperatures ranging from -40˚F to 400˚F. The products were fabricated using Neoprene and fiberglass fabric with carbon and stainless steel frames. A special paint system was applied per customer’s request. Additionally, the products were manufactured according to customer’s specific quality specifications.
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Tied Universal Expansion Joint for Chemical Company in Texas
U.S. Bellows, Inc., recently designed and manufactured a 71″ x 84 universal expansion joint for a chemical manufacturing facility in Texas. The 3,000 lb. expansion joint was fabricated in just two weeks and replaced an existing expansion joint. This product was designed for 40 water column vacuum at 750ºF. The bellows and internal sleeves were constructed from Hastelloy C-276 and all other components were fabricated using carbon steel. The joints were 100% x-rayed and 100% dye-penetrant tested. An air test was performed at 3 PSIG for the entire expansion joint assembly prior to shipping.
Tandem Rectangular Expansion Joint for Turbine Exhaust
The expansion joint weights more than 1,700 lbs. and is capable of +/- 1/4 axial movement and +/- 1/8 lateral movement. It is designed to operate under-designed pressures ranging from full vacuum to 15 psig at 250 degrees. The bellows and liner of the expansion joint are made of 304 stainless steel with a carbon steel flange and duct. To ensure quality, the product was 100% dye-penetrant tested prior to shipping.
42″ I.D. Rubber Expansion Joints for Power Plant in Texas
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U.S. Bellows, Inc. designed and fabricated a 42″ I.D. rubber expansion joint for a power plant in Texas. The expansion joint consists of a bellow formed by 1/8″ thick neoprene sheet and A36 carbon steel flanges coated with a special finish per customer’s request. To ensure quality, dye-pentrant testing was performed on the welds prior to shipping.
48″ Diameter Tied Universal Expansion Joints for an Oil and Gas Company in France
U.S. Bellows, Inc. recently designed and manufactured five tied universal expansion joints ranging in size from 30 to 48 for an oil and gas company in France. These expansion joints weigh between 2400 lb. and 3200 lb. and are fabricated from 304-321 SS bellows. They are designed for pressures ranging from 55 to 650 PSIG and 148°F to 300°F operating temperatures. To ensure quality, the joints were 100% X-Rayed, 100% dye-penetrant, and hydro-tested at 83 to 975 PSIG.
8″ Diameter Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints for a company in Ohio
U.S. Bellows, Inc. specially designed and fabricated two 770 lb. pressure balanced expansion joints for a company in Ohio. These expansion joints, designed for 450 PSIG and 1350 °F, will be used for wind tunnel testing of airplanes and engines. With an overall length of 70, these expansion joints consist of four 8 diameter bellows with 3 plies of Inco 625 Gr1 material, an 8 diameter Inco 800 HT elbow, four 74 A193 B8 tie rods, and four 2 thick A240 tp304H rings. To ensure quality, 100% x-ray and 100% dye-penetran tests were performed on the bellows. A pneumatic test at 550 PSIG was conducted on the entire assembly prior to shipping
57″ x 96″ Rectangular Seal Expansion Joints for a Chemical Refinery in TX
U.S. Bellows, Inc. recently fabricated four rectangular primary flexible seal joints for sliding flanged connections. Designed at 2 PSIG for 1350°F, the seal joints provide for one inch of axial movement to prevent damage to flange connections. EJMA Standards and B31.3 code were used in the design and fabrication of these joints. The purpose of the rectangular seal expansion joint is to prevent leakage to the outside of the Burney Windbox. The corners are double mitered to reduce stress. Inconel® 625LCF material was used in fabricating the bellows while A240 tp 310 material was used for the frame. An air test at 5 PSIG was implemented as well as dye-penetrant test to ensure product quality.
60″ Diameter Tied Refractory Lined Universal Expansion Joints for a Chemical Refinery in Texas
U.S. Bellows, Inc. recently fabricated 60 dia. refractory lined universal expansion joints for a carbon monoxide ducting system at a chemical refinery. The expansion joints are lined with a 3/4″ thick abrasion resistant refractory lining with hexagonal mesh reinforced anchor. A240 TP 304 material was used to fabricate the bellows and flanges and A240 TP 310 material was used for the spool. Designed for 2 PSIG, the joints were air tested at 5 PSIG to ensure quality performance. A dye-penetrant test was also implemented on the bellows’ long seam and attachment welds. These expansion joints were fabricated and designed per B31.3 and EJMA standards.
3,212 lb. Tied Universal Joint for an Oil Piping System Application
U.S. Bellows, Inc. custom designed and manufactured a 5″ nominal diameter and 60″ long universal expansion joint for an oil piping system application in Nevada. This expansion joint consists of high strength Inconel® 625LCF bellows and A105 flanges. The expansion joint is designed for 1400 PSIG and 120°F per B 31.3 and the latest revision of EJMA standards. It is also designed to allow 4 1/2″ of lateral movement during operation. A 100% dye-penetrant and hydro-test at 2100 PSIG were preformed prior to shipment to ensure quality.
Immediate Refurbishment of a 3″ O.A.L Single Bellow with Flanges for a Marine Vessel in Texas
U.S. Bellows, Inc. recently refurbished a 3″ O.A.L. single bellow with flanges for a marine vessel in Texas. Within a two day span, the replacement bellow was fabricated, welded to the existing 5/8″ flanges, and shipped to the marine vessel to resume operation. The replacement bellow, fabricated from 321 stainless steel, is designed for 150 PSIG and 800° F with 0.66″ of axial movement. To ensure quality, a 100% dye-penetrant test and a soap leak test was performed prior to delivery.
78″ x 39″ Rectangular Fabric Expansion Joint for a Power Company in Texas
U.S. Bellows, Inc. custom designed and fabricated a 315 lb. 78 x 39 multi-layer fabric expansion joint for a power company in Texas. This fabric expansion joint will be mounted inside a turbine enclosure and allows for a 15,000 cfm air flow through the enclosure. It is designed for 27 1/2 W.C. and 930°F with 0.27 axial and ± 0.12 lateral movements. The expansion joint is equipped with a stainless steel frame and a 6 thick insulated pillow which is enclosed in a stainless steel woven wire mesh.
U.S. Bellows, Inc. Custom Designs and Fabricates a 60 dia. Double Hinged Refractory Lined Expansion Joint for a Chemical Refinery in Michigan
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Expansion joint assembly during fabrication
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Expansion joint assembly ready for shipment
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U.S. Bellows, Inc. specially designed and manufactured a double hinged refractory lined expansion joint for a chemical refinery in Michigan. This expansion joint with an overall length of 40′-0″ has a 4″ thick refractory lining installed per UOP specifications. It also consists of testable two plies SB-443/Inco 625LCF bellows, 5/8″ thick, A516-70 mitered elbows, 5/8″ thick, A516-70 spool, A240-304 liners, A516-70 hinges, A193, GR 7 tie rods, and A516-70 lugs.
This expansion joint is designed for 50 PSIG and 1440°F with 3″ of lateral movement per B31.3 and EJMA standards. To ensure quality, 100% X-Ray and 100% dye-penetration tests were performed on the bellows after forming. A pneumatic test at 75 PSIG was conducted on the expansion joint assembly prior to shipping.
55″ O.D. Refractory Lined Universal Gimbal Expansion Joints with Slotted Hinges for a Refinery in Joliet
U.S. Bellows, Inc. specially designed and manufactured two 55″ O.D. refractory lined universal gimbal expansion joints for a refinery in Joliet. These expansion joints are equipped with slotted hinges with an overall length of 163″ and 286″ respectively. The 163″ O.A.L. expansion joint, designed for 60 PSIG and 1020°F, will be used at the reactor standpipe of the refinery. The 286″ O.A.L. expansion joint will be used for the regenerator standpipe of the refinery and it is designed for 57 PSIG and 1300°F. Both expansion joints consist of an A516 Gr70 pipe, two SB-443 two-ply bellows, and a slotted hinge.
To ensure quality, 100% dye-penetration, 100% x-ray and pressure tests were performed on the bellows. Pneumatic and vacuum tests were also conducted on the expansion joints and between bellows dry plies prior to shipping.
55″ O.D. Universal Gimbal Expansion Joints with Floating Rings for a Refinery
U.S. Bellows, Inc. custom designed and manufactured a 55 O.D. universal gimbal expansion joint with floating rings for the FCC overhead vapor line at the refinery. This expansion joint has an overall length of 310 and is fabricated from A387 Gr 11 CI2 spool and Inconel® 625 LCF bellows. It is designed for 50 PSIG and 1075°F with 13 of lateral movement.
To ensure quality, 100% dye-penetration, 100% x-ray and pressure tests were performed on the bellows. Pneumatic tests were also conducted on the expansion joint and between bellows dry plies at 55 and 15 PSIG, respectively, prior to shipping.
