The Expansion Joints Blog

A total of three rectangular fabric expansion joints and six round fabric expansion joints were custom designed for an offshore oil extraction and natural gas project. The rectangular joints are 56″ x 81″ I.D. x 25″ O.A.L. and the round joints are 105″ dia. x 24″ O.A.L. 309 stainless steel was used for the duct, 310 for the liners, 316 for the covers, 321 for the studs, 309 for the flanges. The fabric belt was a three layer belt with an inner layer of glass cloth, a layer of KO wool and an outside layer of reinforced PTFE. The expansion joints were designed for 1 psig at a temperature of 1100°F. The rectangular joints were designed for 2″ axial compression, a 1″ extension, and a 1″ lateral offset. The round joints were designed for 4″ axial compression, a 1″ extension, and a 0.5″ lateral offset. All welds were dye penetrant examined.

B31.1 Operations and Maintenance

According to ASME B31.1 Chapter VII Par. 140 a program shall be established for the assessment and documentation of the condition of all CPS (Covered Piping Systems) in power plants.

CPS Systems are defined in Chapter 1 Par 100.2, as systems on which condition assessments are to be conducted. This includes the following systems as a minimum.

NPS 4 and larger main steam, hot reheat steam, cold reheat steam, and boiler feedwater piping.

NPS 4 and larger systems that operate above 750°E (400°C or above 1,025 psi (7,100 kPa)

Other systems may be included as CPS by an Operating Company, based on their judgment. Appendix V of the code is titled ‘Recommended Practice for Operation, Maintenance, and Modification of Power Piping Systems’. This addendum is non-mandatory; however many  Power Industry operating companies’ insurance carriers are now invoking Appendix V with increasing frequency, and this is affecting conditions of their agreements with the operating companies.

Piping Technology and Products Inc. (PT&P) has for some time been performing surveys and assessments in accordance with part H of Par. 140, that requires hot and cold walk-down readings and assessment of pipe supports, operated within the creep regime of the pipe.    These assessments are helpful in identifying, sagging lines, deformation of supports, and damage caused by upset conditions, and/or incidents, attributable to operational malfunctions, dynamic/thermal or hydraulic events.

PT&P has been performing this service for many power generation companies. Preparation of documentation, retrieval and compilation of files for a CPS assessment, has just been completed for a major U.S power generation company. Ten large power plants were involved, and the original predominantly high-energy pipe support drawings, all engineered and designed by PT&P, were retrieved from PT&P archives dating back ten years.

Please feel free to contact us at david.baker@pipingtech.com and we will be happy to answer any of your technical questions about our survey capabilities, as well as any other engineering or field services that your organization may need.

U.S. Bellows 101: Expansion Joint  Basics Webinar

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012 / Time: 10:00 am CST

* Live Webinars are approved for 1 PDH credit for TX P.E.’s

This presentation will briefly touch on the basics of fabric expansion joints; however, is mainly focused on the various designs, material details, and applications. Learn how fabric expansion joints are engineered and fabricated for various applications and the many factors that influence those designs. View the abundance of materials used, including Fluoroplastic and Fluoroelastomer, and their respective capabilities. Take a journey through a Fossil Fired Power Plant and see exactly where fabric expansion joints are required.

U.S. Bellows, Inc., a division of PT&P, has more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing expansion joints, along with replacement and repair services.

Step 1: Fill out a simple registration form at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/933316046

Step 2: Mark the date and time on your calendar: Thursday – February 23, 2012 – 10:00 am CST

Step 3: The day of the Webinar, check your email and follow the link to join.

This rectangular fabric expansion joint is designed for high air circulation flow for an air cooling loop duct in a power plant. It measures 81″ L x 18″ W x 16″ face-to-face, and is fabricated with stainless steel angle, frame ends and internal liner. The fabric belt material is reinforced silicone fabric cloth, which can withstand temperatures up to 550°F. This expansion joint is rated for axial movement of +/- 1″ with a 1/2″ lateral offset. A dye penetrant test on all welds was conducted prior to a quality assurance inspection prior to shipment.

Do you know how to specify a U.S. Bellows expansion Joint?

Use our model number key to find out the:

- diameter
- overall length
- expansion joint type
- expansion joint material
- design pressure
- flange/weld ends material
- liner material
- cover material
- tie-rods material

This expansion joint is 10" diameter, 15" overall length, universal type (meaning two bellows), 321 SS (stainless steel) bellows, 150 psig, 321 SS flange and weld ends, 321 SS liner, carbon steel cover and 304 SS tie rods.

Need assistance? Write us at news@usbellows.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-787-5914

These externally pressurized expansion joints are 16″ in diameter and 60-1/4″ face-to-face. The bellows are fabricated from 304 stainless steel, and the rest of the expansion joint is fabricated from carbon steel. They are custom designed for 8″ axial movement and 150 psig at 176°F, with a spring rate of 2,152 lb./in. Each expansion joint was hydro-tested, radiographic tested, and dye penetrant tested prior to shipment.

Openings between the floor of the furnace and the pipe penetration openings can cause heat energy loss in certain types of furnace applications. A penetration bag type seal is now available to prevent energy loss through the pipe penetrations during the expansion and contraction movement of the pipe through the furnace floor. The use of a furnace seal bag permits movements of the pipe through the furnace floor while providing an airtight closure to prevent heat loss.

A furnace seal bag works similar to a fabric expansion joint. The bag consists of multiple layers of flexible flame and heat resistant, impervious fabric designed to operate from start up to high temperature design conditions. The bag contracts and expands with varying furnace temperatures. The seal bag allows thermal expansion and prevents the loss of heat through the furnace floor which conserves energy and reduces the cost of energy.  Vew Full Article

To get your copy, fill out the request form. A number of improvements have been implemented based on valuable feedback from our customers and engineers.

- all new photographs
- a brand new section on past projects
- more expansion joint data tables

You can now download the expansion joint data tables from our online catalog.

We perform dye penetrant testing on all bellows longitudinal seam welds before and after forming the bellows. The test is performed to insure there are no weld defects such as surface cracking or weld discontinuities. The weld surface is thoroughly cleaned and a red penetrant dye is applied to the surface of the weld and allowed to soak for a period of time. The dye is then removed and a white powder is sprayed on the weld surface that performs a blotting action. An indication of the dye with a white background characterizes the weld surface discontinuities of the bellows longitudinal seam weld. This testing before and after the bellows forming process ensures a sound quality bellows seam weld.

Procedure for Dye Penetrant Testing

Examples of Dye Penetrant Testing

If you would like a chance to win, simply attend one of our Webinars. If you want more chances to win or even win more than once, attend as many Webinars as we offer.

Register for the next Webinar

• During the live presentation, attendees will be selected at random to receive a free PT&P Nalgene Water Bottle.
• Open to U.S. and Canada Shipping only. Must be present the entire length of the Webinar to be eligible.
• To receive the prize, you must be able to provide a valid mailing address within 24 hours after your name is announced.
• Webinars are approved for 1 PDH credit hour for Texas Professional Engineers. After attending the live Webinar, email your request to enews@pipingtech.com.