The Expansion Joints Blog

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.

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.

View a technical presentation on expansion joints right from your computer for free. We have a team of expert engineers on stand-by to answer any questions you may have during or after the presentation.

This Webinar is over, to view the recording, go to www.usbellows.com/webinars

U.S. Bellows, Inc. has more than 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing expansion joints, along with replacement and repair services. Listen to in-depth explanations on how to choose the type of expansion joint that will best suit your system. Learn about the bellows movements throughout the piping system due to thermal changes of mechanical motion. Increase your understanding of the different types of expansion joints and value-added services offered by U.S. Bellows.

We look forward to having you join us for this complimentary presentation.

New US Bellows Site

Would you like for U.S. Bellows to come out to your office to make a technical presentation on expansion joints? Contact us at +1-713-731-0030 or on e-mail at sales@usbellow.com to setup a time and date.