It is important to know that there is not a single expansion joint for all applications in pipe lines; there are various models to solve flexibility problems caused by thermal expansion. Expansion joints are designed to absorb axial, lateral or angular movements. Engineers specializing in pipeline lines use specialized software to perform flexibility analysis, comparing real data of forces and moments with the admissible data of different standards. One way to solve excessive forces and moments in flexibility analyzes is the installation of flexible expansion joints in the pipe line.
Remember to always analyze the process variables:
- Working pressure.
- Working temperature.
- Process fluid.
Typical pipe applications with exceeded stresses and forces, solved with different models of expansion joints, are shown below.
JEA-F Axial Expansion Joint// JEAT-F Axial Expansion Joint with Tensioners
Axial or axial expansion joints with tensioners are flexible accessories designed to absorb expansion in straight sections of pipes when they are subjected to temperature changes.
Design: The main element of an axial expansion joint is the bellows and its characteristics depend on the number of waves, its design and the material of manufacturing. For each application, the bellows meets the design parameters and is calculated according to the standards: EJMA and ASME SECTION VIII.
An axial expansion joint must always be installed between fixed points and a section of pipe suitably restricted by guides installed in accordance with the requirements of the EJMA standard, which only allow movement in compression or extension of the expansion joint, to avoid buckling of the joint. same.
We manufacture axial expansion joints to absorb movements of 25 mm, 38 mm and 50 mm of expansion. Tensioners are installed in the axial expansion joint, these will not limit the compression, they are installed for safety, in case a fixed point fails.
In the image you can see a distributor connected to a computer. In this case, the flexibility analyst placed an intermediate point and installed two axial expansion joints with tensioners, in each section of pipe, correctly guided to absorb the thermal expansion of the pipe and not cause high forces and tensions in the installed equipment.
JEUS-F Simple Universal Expansion Joint
The simple universal expansion joint with turnbuckles is a flexible accessory designed to absorb lateral movements in pipe lines, caused by thermal expansion, when subjected to temperature variations. This joint design is used to absorb lateral movements in one or two planes and can only absorb the axial thermal expansion of the intermediate tube. The typical installation of a simple universal expansion joint with turnbuckles is to install it in a 90°, coplanar or biplanar geometry. It must always have two or more tensioners, which contain the pressure reaction force generated by any flexible accessory under pressure; They are also restricted so that no axial movement reaches the joint.
Design: The simple universal expansion joint with turnbuckles is manufactured with two bellows. Its characteristics depend on the geometry and number of waves, thickness and manufacturing material. For each application, the bellows must tensionally comply with EJMA and ASME SECTION VIII standards.
We manufacture simple universal expansion joints with tensioners to absorb lateral movements of 50, 100 and 150 mm, with useful life cycles greater than 1000.
In the image you can see a distributor connected to a computer. In this case, the flexibility analyst installed a simple universal joint with tensioners in the intermediate pipe, to absorb the axial thermal expansion of the pipe, which connects the equipment and the distributor. In this way, the excess tension and force values in the pipe and in the equipment connections are reduced.
JEUB-F Hinge Universal Expansion Joint
While it is true that a bellows can absorb axial, lateral and angular movement, hinge expansion joints are flexible accessories designed to absorb only angular movements in the same plane in pipe lines, caused by expansion when subjected to temperature variations. Hinge expansion joints are calculated and manufactured with structures that resist and do not release the reaction force due to internal pressure. For the correct functioning of these joints, they must always work in pairs joined by an intermediate tube. Its length and the number of waves depend on the angular expansion capacity that needs to be absorbed in the pipe line. We manufacture hinge expansion joints to absorb movements of up to 10° with useful life cycles greater than 1000.
Design: The main element of a hinge expansion joint is the bellows and its characteristics depend on the number of waves, its design and the material of manufacturing. For each application, the bellows meets the design parameters and is calculated according to EJMA and ASME SECTION VIII standards.
In the image you can see a distributor connected to a computer. In this case, the flexibility analyst installed two hinge joints in the vertical, which absorb the axial thermal expansion of the pipe that connects the equipment and the distributor. In this way, the excess tension and force values in the pipeline and in the equipment connections are reduced. Each of the hinge expansion joints absorb coplanar angular motion and in pairs, the joints absorb lateral motion in the pipe line.
JEUC-F Universal Gimbal Expansion Joint
The universal cardan expansion joint is a flexible accessory designed to absorb lateral movements in pipe lines, caused by thermal expansion, when subjected to temperature variations. This joint design is used to absorb lateral movements, in one or two planes, and can only absorb the axial expansion of the intermediate tube. Typical mounting of this joint is in a piping system with 90°, coplanar or biplanar geometry. Its structure contains the pressure reaction force generated by any flexible accessory under pressure and so that no axial movement reaches the joint.
Design: The cardan expansion joints are made up of two bellows made of 300 series stainless steel, calculated under the standard EJMA and according to ASME SECTION VIII, joined by an intermediate tube and cardan structure at the ends of the joint.
In the image you can see a distributor connected to a computer. In this case the flexibility analyst installed a universal cardan joint in the vertical, these two joints absorb the axial thermal expansion of the pipe that connects the equipment and the distributor; In this way, the excess tension and force values in the pipeline and in the equipment connections are reduced. The cardan universal joint works together laterally, the two bellows have an angular movement and also absorb the axial thermal expansion of the intermediate tube. These expansion joints are the ideal solution for working on thermal expansion in two planes.