1. Expansion joints(compensators)
Expansion joints are commonly referred to as compensators. They consist of one or more bellows (an elastic component) as the main working body, as well as connectors at both ends, supports, flanges, conduits, and other accessories. Expansion joints are a flexible structures installed on vessel shells or pipelines to compensate for additional stresses caused by temperature differences and mechanical vibrations. By utilizing the effective expansion and contraction of the bellows, they compensate dimensional changes in pipelines, conduits, vessels and so on, which are caused by thermal expansion and contraction, or compensate for axial, lateral, and angular displacements of pipelines, conduits, vessels, etc. They can also be used for noise and vibration reduction and heating supply systems. In order to prevent deformation or damage to heating pipelines caused by thermal expansion or temperature stress when the heating pipelines are heated, compensators need to be installed on the pipelines to compensate for thermal expansion of the pipelines, thereby reducing the stress on the pipeline walls and the forces exerting on valves or support structures.
As expansion joints are elastic compensating components capable of free expansion and contraction, they have the advantages of reliable operation, good performance, and compact structure,and others.Hence they are widely used in departments such as chemical engineering, metallurgy,nuclear energy,and the like. There are various forms of expansion joints used on vessels, with the U-shaped expansion joint being the most widely used in terms of the shape of bellows, followed by Ω-shaped and C-shaped joints. As for expansion joints used on pipelines, they are classified according to structural compensation into universal expansion joint, pressure balanced expansion joint, hinged expansion joint, and gimbal expansion joint.
Main Item | Classification | Description |
Metal Expansion Joint | Elbow Expansion Joint | Bend the pipe into a U-shaped or other shape, also known as tension bends,are a type of expansion joint that utilizes the elastic deformation ability of the form to compensate. Its advantages are good strength, long service life, and on-site production.The disadvantages are space-consuming, high steel consumption, and high friction resistance. This type of expansion joint is widely used in various steam piping and long pipes. |
Bellows Expansion Joint
| A bellows expansion joint, crafted from metal bellows, enables axial expansion and contraction along the pipeline and permits slight bending. To prevent overextension, protective rods or rings are installed at each end, with guide supports on connected pipelines. Angular and lateral joints address rotational and lateral pipeline deformations. While offering space and material savings, standardization, and mass production benefits, they have a shorter lifespan. Primarily used in short, low-temperature, and pressure pipelines, advancements in production technology are broadening their applications, now supporting pressures up to 6.0 MPa. | |
Slip-Type Expansion Joint | The slip-type expansion joint features inner and outer sleeves that move axially. Sealed with a stuffing box, it maintains pipe alignment while compensating for axial expansion and rotation. With small dimensions and high compensation capacity, it suits hot water, steam, and grease applications. Thermal expansion is addressed by sliding the inner sleeve against the outer one. Equipped with a high-performance self-sealing dynamic seal, it accommodates pipeline movement while meeting sealing requirements. A specialized synthetic seal withstands high temperatures, corrosion, and aging, functioning in temperatures from -40 to 150 degrees Celsius, and up to 350 degrees Celsius in special cases. This design ensures axial movement while preventing medium leakage. | |
Non-metallic Expansion Joint | Rubber Expansion Joint | Composed of rubber and rubber-fiber composite materials, steel flanges, sleeves, and insulation materials, it is mainly used for flexible connections between various fans and ducts. Its functions include shock absorption, noise reduction, sealing, medium resistance, easy displacement and installation. It is an ideal accessory for shock absorption, noise reduction, smoke and dust removal in the field of environmental protection. |
Fabric Expansion Joint | The fabric expansion joint is mainly made of fiber fabric, rubber, and other high temperature resistant materials. It can compensate for the vibration and deformation of fans and ducts.Fabric expansion joints can compensate for axial, lateral, and angular products, with features such as no thrust, simplified support design, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, noise reduction, vibration reduction,and others.It is particularly suitable for hot blast pipes and smoke and dust pipeline of power plant.The non-metallic compensator's fiber fabric and insulation cotton itself have the functions of sound absorption and vibration isolation, therefore they can effectively reducing the noise and vibration of boiler, fan, and other systems. Simple structure, light weight, and easy maintenance. |
Super Austenitic Stainless Steel:254SMO,904L,AL6XN
Duplex Stainless Steel :2205 Dual phase steel (S31803)
Nickel Based Alloy Steel:INCOLOY800/800H/800HT/840/825,INCONEL600/601/690/625/X-750
Hastelloy Alloy C-276/C-22/X,MONEL400/K500
Pure Nickel:N4,N6(Ni200,Ni201)
Titanium Plate For Stamping:GR1,GR2,TA1,TA2
Austenitic Stainless Steel:SUS304,SUS304L,SUS316,SUS316L,SUS310S,SUS321,SUS316Ti
2. Non-metallic Expansion joints
Types and Applications of Non-Metallic Compensators:
Non-metallic compensators, crucial components in various industrial settings, can be broadly categorized into four types: straight cylindrical, compound, angular, and square non-metallic expansion joints.
Straight Cylindrical Non-Metallic Expansion Joints offer a simple yet effective solution for absorbing thermal displacement and reducing stress in piping systems.
Compound Non-Metallic Expansion Joints are designed to handle more complex displacement patterns, often found in curved or irregularly shaped pipelines.
Angular Non-Metallic Expansion Joints are specifically engineered to accommodate angular movements, making them ideal for applications where piping systems experience changes in direction.
Square Non-Metallic Expansion Joints are suitable for square-shaped ducts and piping, providing efficient thermal displacement compensation.
Among these types, Rectangular Non-Metallic Compensators play a vital role in power plant flue ducts. Their primary function is to absorb thermal displacement and/or shock absorption, ensuring smooth and efficient operation of the flue system. Rectangular compensators come in various connection types, including flange connections and nozzle connections, allowing for flexibility in installation and integration into existing systems.
Compensating segment length(h/m)
| 100 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 350 | 400 | 450 | 500 | 550 | 600 | 650 | 700 | 800 | 900 | |
Compensation volume(nm)
| Axial displacement (x/m) | -30 | -50 | -75 | -85 | -105 | -125 | -130 | -140 | -165 | -175 | -195 | -205 | -225 | -240 |
+15 | +20 | +30 | +36 | +45 | +45 | +50 | +55 | +58 | +62 | +66 | +70 | +74 | +80 | ||
Lateral displacement (y/m) | ±10 | ±15 | ±25 | ±30 | ±45 | ±50 | ±60 | ±68 | ±7o | ±73 | ±75 | ±80 | ±85 | ±90 | |
Working Temperature (t°C) | a=100-200,b=200-300,c=300-450,d=450-500,e=500-600,f=600-700,g=700-1000 | ||||||||||||||
Working pressure P(Kpa) | ±10~±300,if the user requires, the pressure beyond the range, can be designed separately. | ||||||||||||||
Flow rate | a——b | v=8——15 | |||||||||||||
c——d | v=8——20 |
Gas turbine exhaust duct
Desulfurization system
Flue ducts and exhaust systems of various industries
Coal-fired boilers, circulating sulfurized bed boilers
Flue ducts of waste heat boilers
3. Fiber fabric compensators / expansion joints
Fabric compensators (fiber fabric compensators)/expansion joints have the following features:
Purpose: They can compensate for axial and angular displacement, with characteristics such as no thrust, simplified support design, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, noise reduction, and vibration isolation, making them particularly suitable for hot air ducts and flue ducts.
Parameters table for circular non-metallic compensators/expansion joints:
Circular product specifications | Dw | D1 | D2 | D3 | b | d | Number of bolt holes(n) |
mm | |||||||
Φ108 | 108 | 200 | 164 | 110 | 10 | 14 | 4 |
Φ159 | 159 | 251 | 215 | 161 | 8 | ||
Φ219 | 219 | 311 | 275 | 221 | |||
Φ273 | 273 | 365 | 330 | 275 | 12 | ||
Φ325 | 325 | 427 | 385 | 327 | |||
Φ377 | 377 | 479 | 435 | 379 | |||
Φ426 | 426 | 528 | 490 | 428 | |||
Φ480 | 480 | 595 | 540 | 483 | 12 | 18 | |
Φ530 | 530 | 645 | 600 | 533 | |||
Φ630 | 630 | 745 | 700 | 633 | |||
Φ720 | 720 | 843 | 800 | 723 | 16 | ||
Φ820 | 820 | 943 | 900 | 823 | 20 | ||
Φ920 | 920 | 1043 | 1000 | 923 | |||
Φ1020 | 1020 | 1153 | 1100 | 1023 | 14 | 22 | |
Φ1120 | 1120 | 1253 | 1200 | t123 | |||
Φ1220 | 1220 | 1353 | 1300 | 1223 | |||
Φ1320 | 1320 | 1453 | 1400 | 1323 | 24 | ||
Φ1420 | 1420 | 1553 | 1500 | 1423 | 16 | 28 | |
Φ1820 | 1820 | 1963 | 1910 | 1823 | 26 | ||
Φ2020 | 2020 | 2163 | 2110 | 2023 | 32 | ||
Φ2220 | 2220 | 2363 | 2310 | 2223 | 18 | 36 | |
Φ2420 | 2420 | 2563 | 2510 | 2423 | 40 | ||
Φ2820 | 2820 | 2983 | 2915 | 2823 | 20 | 32 | 44 |
Φ3220 | 3220 | 3383 | 3315 | 3223 | 22 | 52 | |
Φ3620 | 3620 | 3783 | 3715 | 3623 | 56 |