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Rubber Expansion Joints for an 8” Dia. Pipeline at a Saudi Arabian Oil Company

May 11, 2022

Ptp rubber expansion joint 171379

U.S. Bellows, Inc. provided rubber expansion joints for an 8″ pipeline. This single open arch rubber expansion joint is fabricated from EPDM rubber and the retaining rings are galvanized A36 carbon steel and powder coated orange. The expansion joints were designed for an operating pressure of 250 psig with a 30″ vacuum, 1.75″ compression, 0.88″ extension, and 1″ lateral offset. Rubber pipe expansion joints are often used to compensate for minor misalignment and offset. Each unit was hydro-tested at 250°F at 75 psig. An advantage of a rubber expansion joint (also called an elastomer joint) over the metallic is the ability to prevent the transmission of vibration and to do this without significant harm to the joint. They can be utilized for pump inlets and discharges solely to stop vibration and noise from the pump. They have an integrally flanged design where no gaskets are required. Metal reinforcing rings can also be added to help resist pressure and flexing during operation. Fabric reinforcement within the rubber can also be added for applications to take the load of fluid pressure. At U.S. Bellows, our engineers are professionally trained and qualified to both design and manufacture units specifically for your application per expansion joint manufacturing association (EJMA).

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Neoprene Expansion Joints for a Combined Cycle Power Plant

January 18, 2022

Neoprene Expansion Joints for a Combined Cycle Power Plant in Western Europe

These neoprene expansion joints were custom-designed for a gas turbine facility in Western Europe. Neoprene expansion joints are typically used in turbine inlets and turbine exhaust and can accommodate the full temperature of hot gas flows while absorbing the thermal expansion and reducing stresses in the system. Neoprene expansion joints can be lined with different materials such as metal, fiberglass, or PTFE for increased temperatures. These types of expansion joints can also absorb contraction in cryogenic lines and assist in reducing vibration. In addition to gas turbines, these units can be used in coal-fired plants, renewable energy plants such as Biofuels Green energy plants, geothermal plants, chemical and other types of power plants where high-pressure pulsations and turbulent flow conditions exist.

Some other end applications for these types of expansion joints include:

  • Engineered wood building products (such as OSB)
  • Building materials such as cement, concrete, and aggregates
  • Carbon blacks for industrial, automotive, and conductive coatings, pigments, tire components, mechanical/industrial rubber goods (including membrane roofing, automotive rubber parts)
  • Metal ore mining

The expansion joint is a conical design and is 42” x 36” and 12” face-to-face. The fabric belt is made from reinforced neoprene and the framework is made from stainless steel and incorporates the use of stainless steel bolting to prevent corrosion. Units can be supplied with several different bolting patterns and configurations to accommodate various operation/installation requirements or allow access for periodic maintenance. They are designed for an operating temperature range from-30-120°F with a +/- 100” water column and 1” of axial compression and 1.25” lateral deflection. A 100% dye-penetrant test was performed before shipment. US Bellows, a subsidiary of Piping Technology and Products, has a long history of providing neoprene and fabric type expansion joints to meet the parameters, temperatures, and flow rates of gases and can be designed to operate when there are abrasive solids that could be suspended in the gases. Due to our experienced staff, we offer the special ability to both assist in the design and development of expansion joints along with the ability to manufacture these units at our 450,000 Square feet facility to meet your specifications. Our expansion joint capability has been greatly expanded production and allowed us to meet customer expectations on the most demanding projects from refurbishments to replacements, to new innovative designs for emerging verticals such as waste-to-energy plants aimed at reducing carbon footprint. In the last 6 months, we shipped over 40% of our expansion joints in two weeks or less to meet customer timelines and deliverables.

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Rubber Expansion Joints for a 24″ Dia. Pipeline at an Offshore Production Facility

June 14, 2021

Rubber Expansion Joints for a 24" Dia. Pipeline at an Offshore Production Facility

U.S. Bellows provided rubber expansion joints for a 24” diameter pipeline at an offshore production facility. Used near rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors, rubber expansion joints provide a viable alternative when metal joints cannot be used. Expansion joints can be used in plants such as biofuels green energy that utilize trash/waste as feedstock help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The retaining rings are fabricated from A240-316 stainless steel. The expansion joints are 28-1/8” O.D. x 24” long. Each unit was hydro pressure tested and inspected prior to shipping overseas. U.S. Bellows can provide rubber expansion joints up to 144” in diameter or higher for custom applications. Rubber pipe expansion joints are often used to compensate for minor misalignment and offset. The design is chemical and abrasion resistant while limiting sediment buildup. They have an integrally flanged design where no gaskets are required and are designed to absorb noise, vibration, and shock. This single, wide arch, spool-type rubber expansion joint is used to accommodate thermal growth while relieving piping stress during operation. This is just one of many types of rubber expansion joints we can provide to meet your specifications. If needed, using stress analysis, our experienced expansion joint engineers can assist in the design and development of expansion joints for your application.

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