Fabric Expansion Joints for a Carbon Gas Application at an Oil and Gas Facility

Type:	Fabric Expansion Joint
Size:	20″ Diameter & 18″ Length
Material:	1-Ply PTFE Fabric Belt/Carbon Steel Framework
Design:	-20°F/+600°F with a +/- 20″ Water Column, and +/- 1″ of Axial Compression & Lateral Offset
Testing:	100% Dye-Penetrant

U.S Bellows fabricated these fabric expansion joints for a carbon gas application at an oil and gas facility in Louisiana. These units are 20″ in diameter and 18" in length. The 1-ply fabric belt is made from PTFE, and the framework is carbon steel. They are designed for an operating temperature of -20°F/+600°F with a +/- 20" water column and +/- 1" of axial compression and lateral offset. The welds of the units were dye penetrant tested prior to shipment.

US Bellows and its subsidiaries have served as leading global suppliers of carbon black worldwide. Material from these plants is made to exacting standards for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics, and numerous other specialty high-performance applications. Carbon black is produced from the thermal decomposition of heavy petroleum raw materials, such as coal tar, ethylene cracking tar, or FCC tar. It is widely utilized owing to its various beneficial characteristics, including surging tire tread wear and rolling resistance, effectively absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light and converting it into heat, improved thermal conductivity, and superior UV protection. Several processes, such as oil furnaces and thermal, are mainly used to manufacture carbon black. In addition to providing expansion joints, we have provided the following products from our portfolio of manufactured in our facility in Houston, Texas:

Constant Spring Hangers
Metallic Expansion Joints
Pipe Shoes, Guides, and Anchors
Insulated Supports
Paddle Blinds and Spacers
Pipe Hangers Hardware
Slide Bearing Plates
Instrument Supports
Variable Spring Hangers

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 08122017

Fabric Expansion Joint Designed for a High-Temperature Duct Application

Type:	Fabric Expansion Joints
Size:	67″ Long x 67″ Wide x 14″ Tall
Material:	3-Layer Fabric Belt with Kaowool Insulation 304 Stainless Steel Angle Flanges
Design	Operating Temp: 2012°F at +/- 100″ Water Column 1″ of Lateral Deflection
Testing:	100% Dye Penetrant Testing & Q.C. Inspection

Fabric pipe expansion joints are often used in ducts that carry hot gasses at low pressures. The major design parameters are the temperatures and flow rates of the gasses and the amount and abrasiveness of solids suspended in the gasses. This fabric expansion joint utilizes a bulky flexible material, also called an Insulation Pillow, to shield against high temperatures protecting the belting material. Refractory is also used in the construction of this joint but is designed so that it does not interfere with movement. Our experienced engineers know that every element of this expansion joint plays a role in its rating for certain temperatures and the number of hours of operation. View Fabric Expansion Joints Product Section.
Fabric expansion joints are key in the systems supporting power and refining plants focused around renewable carbon-neutral product offerings. We have worked with the new entrants in the marketplace but also helped our long-term clients transition their older fossil fuel-based assets to green technology. These plants include biochar from biomass processing, carbon black, clean hydrogen, styrene, and cement.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 03182020

Pressure Balanced Tee Universal Expansion Joint for a Boiler Feed Pump Turbine Exhaust

U.S. Bellows, Inc. custom-designed a pressure-balanced tee universal expansion joint for a boiler feed pump turbine exhaust within a power plant for a major electric utility provider in the midwest with its founding roots in the 1880s, almost 140 years ago. Today they serve over 1.7M customers in the US, focusing on electricity generation, electric power transmission, and electricity distribution.

The expansion joint is 96" in diameter and 288" OAL and is designed for 2" axial movement and 1/8" lateral movement at both 15 psig and Full vacuum (-14.7 psig) at 315 deg.F. The bellows, liner, and turning vanes are 304 stainless steel. The remainder of the assembly is fabricated from carbon steel. The expansion joint was dye penetrant examined, and a chemical cleaning of the interior surfaces was performed to remove any oil and grease. U.S. Bellows also conducted a stress analysis and a pneumatic test at 23 psig.

Our U.S. Bellows division is a member of the Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association – EJMA. EJMA is recognized as the world’s leading authority on the proper selection and application of metallic bellows-type expansion joints for safe and reliable piping and vessel installation. As a proud member, we design and manufacture our expansion joints to meet or exceed the guidelines and practices set forth by this association.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 03/02/2021

13 Foot Universal Expansion Joint Custom Designed with Incoloy Bellows and Manufactured in the USA for Service in a Chemical Plant

Usbellows universal expansion joint 150651v2

Type: Universal Expansion Joint

Size: 157″ Long x 28″ Diameter

Material: Incoloy 825 | 321 SS | 304 SS

Design: Operating Temp: 842°F a t 190 psig
Movement 8.875″ Lateral Deflection

Testing: Dye Penetrant Examined | 100% X-Rayed Bellows
Longitudinal Seams | PMI Examined | Hydro-tested

This 13′ long universal expansion joint was custom designed for a chemical plant that manufactures products such as amines, glycol, polyurethanes (isocyanates and polyol), butanols, polyethylene, and hydrogen peroxide. The bellows were fabricated from Incoloy 825, the welds and liner from 321 stainless steel, and the cover tie rods from 304 stainless steel. The 157″ long unit is 28″ in diameter. It is designed for an operating temperature of 842°F at 190 psig and 8.875″ of lateral deflection. Prior to shipment, the units were 100% dye penetrant tested, and the bellows longitudinal seams were 100% X-rayed, PMI examined, and hydro-tested.

Piping Technology and Products and its subsidiaries are the only global provider of engineered supports and expansion joints in the world. Our manufacturing facilities and processes are set up to support the manufacturing of different materials should the project need it. For this project, the client requested the bellows be made of a combination of Incoloy and stainless steel. We have the experience to work with an extraordinarily broad range of materials, including high-strength steel, a full range of stainless steel, super alloys, thermoplastics, and insulation isolation materials.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 07142020

Rubber Expansion Joints Designed for Water Cooling Loops at a Chemical Plant

Type:	Neoprene Expansion Joint
Size:	3×10, 6×10, 8×12, 10×14
Material:	Neoprene Twin Sphere Rubber Tubing with 304 SS Flanges & Covers
Design	Operating Temp: 225°F at 225 psig \| 1-3/8″ – 1-3/4″ of Lateral Offset
Testing:	Hydro-Tested \| PMI on all Rubber Joint Root-Rings

These neoprene expansion joints were custom-designed for water cooling loops at a chemical plant in Louisiana. They have a neoprene twin sphere rubber tubing with 304 stainless steel flanges and covers. U.S. Bellows fabricated five of each of the following dimensions: 3×10, 6×10, 8×12, and 10×14. They are designed for an operating temperature of 225°F at 225 psig and 1-3/8″ – 1-3/4″ of lateral offset. The units were hydro-tested and PMI on all rubber joint root-rings prior to shipment.

Besides chemical plants, other plants that utilize rubber expansion joints are air scrubber systems, sewage treatment, wastewater treatment, and water treatment plants. Combined cycle power plants also often utilize rubber spool-type expansion joints. No matter the application, our team of experienced engineers and designers can help to resolve your expansion joint needs. Please contact us via our 24×7 emergency service or send an email to info@pipingtech.com.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 06242020

81″ Diameter Pressure Balanced Tee Expansion Joints Custom Designed for a Chemical Plant

Type:	Pressure Balanced Tee Expansion Joints
Size:	352″ OAL \| 81″ Dia. \| 90″ Centerline to Bevel End
Material:	304 Stainless Steel \| CS
Design	392°F at 15 psig \| 6″ Axial Compression
Testing:	100% Dye Penetrant \| Air Soap and Bubble test

U.S. Bellows custom designed pressure balanced tee expansion joints for a chemical plant in Texas. The units are 352″ overall length, 81″ diameter, and 90″ center line to the bevel-end of the tee. All assemblies were completely fabricated from 304 stainless steel. They are designed for an operating temperature of 392°F at 15 psig, with 6″ of axial compression and 1.25″ of lateral deflection. The expansion joints were 100% dye penetrate tested and air soap and bubble tested prior to shipment.

We can also design and manufacture refractory lined expansion joints for these types that are able to expand and contract as conditions move from hot to cold. These units can be installed in refineries, power plants, and various green energy facilities where no other option is practical. Our team of engineers and manufacturing staff are ready and willing to assist in helping solve any design and/or manufacturing challenges. We can also refurbish existing units to help decrease the time operations are shut down. We assure you that our 24×7 web-based emergency and quick-turn-around service can help when you need it most.
View Expansion Joint Product Section.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 04192019

Hinged Expansion Joints Designed for a Steam Exhaust Application

Type:	Hinged Expansion Joints
Size:	42″ Long \| 16″ Nominal Pipe Size
Material:	316L Stainless Steel \| Carbon Steel
Design	400°F at 150 psig \| 4.25″ Lateral \| 1° Angular
Testing:	100% Dye Pen. \| Bellows Longitudinal Seams 100% X-rayed \| Hydro-Tested at 250 psig

U.S. Bellows custom-designed hinged universal expansion joint for a steam exhaust application at a chemical plant in Texas for one of the largest cracker installations in the USA to support the manufacture of mainly olefins and polypropylene. The units are 42″ long and have a nominal pipe size of 16″. The bellows are fabricated from 316L stainless steel. The flanges, pipe spool, and hardware are carbon steel. They are designed for an operating temperature of 400°F at 150 psig. They are capable of 4.25″ lateral deflection and 1° of angular movement. The expansion joints were 100% dye penetrant tested, the bellows longitudinal seams were 100% X-rayed, and a hydro-test at 250 psig was performed prior to shipment.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 02112020

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