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Fabric Expansion Joint for an Inlet Duct Application at a Gas Turbine Facility

February 6, 2024

Fabric Expansion Joint for an Inlet Volute Duct Application at a Gas Turbine Facility

 Type:  Fabric Expansion Joint
 Size:  143″ long x 61″ wide x 12″ face-to-face
 Material:  PTFE Fiberglass Reinforced Fabric Belt & 304 Stainless Steel
 Design:  -20°F to 600°F , +/- 100″ water column, 0.5″ Axial & 1″ Lateral
 Testing:  Dye-Penetrant

U.S. Bellows fabricated this rectangular fabric expansion joint for an inlet duct application at a gas turbine facility. The unit is 143″ long x 61″ wide x 12″ face-to-face. The fabric belt is made from reinforced PTFE fiberglass and the frame and liner from 304 stainless steel. It is designed for an operating temperature ranging from -20°F to 600°F with a pressure of +/- 100″ water column, with 0.5″ of axial compression and 1″ of lateral deflection. A dye-penetrant examination was performed on all the structural frame welds prior to shipment.

Fabric expansion joints are used in a wide array of applications playing a crucial role in preventing damage to equipment, ensuring system reliability, and maintaining overall safety in industrial processes. Some examples of where they are used are:

    • Cement plants for ducts and exhaust systems associated with high temperature operations.

 

    • Mining industry for mineral and material handling including smelting.

 

    • HVAC systems for duct work to address any thermal movements or vibrations.

 

    • Marine and shipbuilding applications where exhaust systems, engine piping and other critical areas movement and vibrations must be managed.

 

    • Renewable energy facilities such a waste to energy or bioenergy plants in which the incineration operations are critical.

 

    • Paper and Pulp mills for ducting systems in drying and paper manufacturing processes.

 

    • Steel Mills for blast furnace systems and exhausting ducts

 

    • Chemical plants to handle dynamic forces associated with chemical reactions, temperature variations and corrosive environments.

 

  • Power plants: Fossil Fuel and Nuclear plants to manage vibrations and thermal axial expansion that could stress components and fixed equipment.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 06252018

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Rectangular Expansion Joints Custom Designed for an Air Fan Ducting Application in Texas

January 8, 2024

Usbellows rectangular expansion joint 166850

 

 Type:  Rectangular Expansion Joints
 Size:  37-3/8″ Wide | 65″ Long | 16″ FTF
 Material:  304 Stainless Steel | Carbon Steel
 Design:  250°F Operating Temperature @ 5 psig
 Testing:  100% Dye-Penetrant

U.S. Bellows custom-designed two of these rectangular expansion joints for an air fan ducting application at a chemical facility in Texas. They are 37-3/8″ wide, 65″ long, and 16″ face-to-face. The bellows and liner were fabricated from 304 stainless steel, with the rest of the components from carbon steel. The units are designed for an operating temperature of 250°F at 5 psig. The expansion joints were 100% dye-penetrant tested prior to shipment.

Rectangular expansion joints have many applications in which they are used. They can be used in blast furnaces in steel processing facilities, APH Air preheaters in refineries, and for ducting in large systems in many industries in petrochem, mining, LNG and steel mills. We have built over 400 such units over the last couple of years of varying metallurgy ranging from carbon steel to stainless to inconel. We currently have inconel units in production for a large LNG facility to meet the newly established FERC requirements around spillage, environmental considerations, and, most importantly, safety.

Manufacturing expansion joints involves a precise blend of scientific principles and manufacturing craftsmanship. Rectangular expansion joints present distinctive challenges, particularly in relation to edge welding requirements. Without the necessary expertise, there is a risk of encountering issues such as sugaring—a form of oxidation that arises when an inadequate amount of purging gas is utilized during welding.

It’s worth noting that circumferential welds in typical round expansion joints, which are both welded and formed simultaneously, do not face the same concerns. In contrast, rectangular expansion joints undergo a two-step process where they are first formed and then welded, introducing unique considerations.

We conduct thorough in-house testing for all our expansion joints, encompassing a comprehensive range of assessments:

  • Burst Testing
  • Dye Penetration testing
  • Fatigue/Cycle Testing
  • Hydrostatic testing
  • Helium Leak testing
  • Ultrasonic Testing
  • Radiography Testing
  • PMI Testing
  • Pneumatic Testing
  • Magnetic Particle Testing
  • Leak Detection Testing.

Rectangular expansion joints represent a subset of the assessments conducted for typical round expansion joints. Specifically, for rectangular expansion joints, we perform leak, hydro, and pneumatic testing.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 07222019

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

November 7, 2023

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

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Fabric Expansion Joint Designed for a High-Temperature Duct Application

August 8, 2023

Usbellows fabric expansion joint 170218

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

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

July 11, 2023

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

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

June 6, 2023

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

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

May 9, 2023

Ptp rubber expansion joint 152915 (1)

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

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

February 7, 2023

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

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Hinged Expansion Joints Designed for a Steam Exhaust Application

January 10, 2023

Usbellows hinged expansion joints 159045

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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Single Flanged Expansion Joints for a Leading Manufacturer & Designer of Transformers & Power Supplies for an Industrial Applications Company

November 8, 2022

U.s. bellows custom designed single fanged expansion joints for a leading manufacturer & designer of transformers & power supplies for an industrial applications company

Type: Single Flanged Expansion Joint
Size: 5″ Length | 6″ ID | 11″ O.D.
Material: ASTM A240-316 Stainless Steel
Design 200°F | 150 psig | 7,942 lb/in. Lateral Spring Rate
0.625 ” Axial Travel | 803 lb/in. Axial Spring Rate
0.125″ Lateral Offset | 225 psig Test Pressure
Testing: 100% Dye-Penetrant | Air, Soap, & Bubble

These units were sold to a company that manufactures customized power conversion solutions used in power supplies, transformers, inductors and capacitors for industrial and military applications. Expansion joints are used in a wide range of industries from automotive, food processing, biofuels, and wastewater treatment plants. This expansion joint is simply a bellows element with flanged end connections. Regardless of accessories, such as liners and covers, it will deflect in any direction or plane. It is the least expensive type of metal expansion joint but requires that the piping be controlled or guided as to the specified direction of the movements required. This type of expansion joint should not be expected to control the movement of the pipe. If the piping analysis shows that the expansion joint must accept axial compression, then the piping must be guided and constrained so that only that movement will occur. This expansion joint will not resist any deflection other than the resistance of the bellows, which is a function of the spring rate times the deflection amount. It is incapable of resisting the pressure thrust along its axis, which is the product of the pressure times the effective, or cross-sectional, area of the bellows. Large diameter units, even with low pressures, can generate very large axial pressure thrust forces, which must be contained by main and directional anchors. Otherwise, the expansion joint will exceed its designed function.

Piping Technology and its subsidiaries, in this case, US Bellows, prides itself on its long-standing relationships with ALL its customers. We have worked with this client for over 10 years with our first project in the early 2000s. We have been their vendor of choice for almost every expansion joint since then. We believe we must be strategic partners with our clients to understand their technical, delivery, and commercial needs to best move forward. This is where we are different than other key players as we have “in-house” technical and manufacturing expertise in our plant located in Houston, Texas to address customer queries or updates in real-time. An example of what our customers say:

“Thank you very much for the excellent work you and your associates at USB provided on my expansion joint order. Although we agreed to 10-day rush delivery, your shop responded to my project schedule and delivered 14 bellows assemblies in only 7 days from my order. This quick delivery helped us avert a scheduling conflict on a very critical project. I would be glad to recommend U.S. Bellows to anyone in need of a quality product with on-time or better delivery. 2022”

*Designed in accordance with the Standards of the Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association, 10th E, and welding per ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section IX.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 08252020

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