Usbellows logo.png

By using an in-line pressure balanced expansion joint.

In line pressure balanced expansion joint diagram
In-line pressure balanced expansion joint diagram

When there is an axial movement, the in-line bellows will start compressing and the balancing bellows will extend and vice versa. Both bellows will be moving.

In line pressure balanced expansion joint diagram
In-line pressure balanced expansion joint diagram

Regarding the operating temperature, we design metal pipe expansion joints up to 2000° F with refractory and 1000° F to 1500° F without refractory.

92501c1
Metallic Expansion Joint

Toroidals  can be used but not often. Most exchanges use normal thin-wall expansion joints or thick-wall expansion joints fabricated from flanged and flued heads.

72 inch thick wall expansion joint for a sulfuric acid plant
72″ inch thick wall pipe expansion joint

The weight of the units is self-supporting but the additional weight of the piping, elbows etc. in the field will not be supported by the expansion joint.

55 inch double gimbal expansion joint for a reactor overhead line
Gimbal pipe expansion joint

Yes, this is one of the expansion joint functions

No, it is the total of the spring rates of all three bellows.

36 pressure balanced elbow expansion joints
36″ Pressure Balanced Elbow Pipe Expansion Joint

 

The number of expansion joints used in a pipe depends on the length of the pipe, the pressure, the temperature, and the size. Upon knowing these design conditions, we can inform you of the number of expansion joints the pipeline requires.

An expansion joint is used to absorb dimensional changes, such as those caused by thermal expansion or contraction of a pipeline, duct, or vessel.

113108v2a1
High Temperature Fabric Expansion Joint Designed for an Exhaust Duct

The expansion joint used for fuel oil and fuel gas applications depends on the movement and design conditions of the particular application within the plant.

100875b1
Fabric Expansion Joints

The spring rate is equal to the spring rate of both flow bellows plus the spring rate of the balancing bellows.

Pic 001 1
Elbow Pressure Balanced Pipe Expansion Joint

Expansion joints are needed to absorb thermal movement when piping flexibility will not solve the problem.

110901a1
92″ Double Hinged Reinforced Expansion Joint for Water Service

Expansion joints are required anywhere throughout the plant where thermal expansion must be absorbed. One example where expansion joints may be used in a power plant would be on piping running to power turbines or condensers.

112276a1
Tied Universal Expansion Joints for a Power Plant in Texas

Using expansion joints in piping depends upon the configuration of the piping where you will place the expansion joint to absorb thermal expansion or contraction.

Number2
Fabric Expansion Joint Used in a Piping System