Do steam pipeline standards recommend the installation of expansion joints?
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Are expansion joints recommended for installation in steam pipelines according to the standards? I read in a document that expansion joints are not recommended for steam pipes, as they are considered prone to failure. It is best to use the flexibility of the pipe itself to absorb displacement. What do you all think?
That’s right; expansion joints are prone to damage, so U-shaped bends are the best choice.
The scouring and corrosion in the steam pipelines are quite severe; indeed, expansion joints are prone to damage
Expansion joints are suitable for low-pressure, low-flow steam; for medium and high-pressure steam, thrust bends such as gate type and π type can be used.
The problem with expansion joints is that there are so many details to pay attention to in their design and installation; the slightest carelessness can lead to problems. Moreover, it has no advantages over rotary compensators in terms of maintenance, lifespan, cost, and other aspects. Therefore, nowadays, in addition to traditional natural compensation, rotary compensators are often used for compensation.
Senior, what is the application range of expansion joint compensators?
Expansion joint compensators are used at the connections of equipment in steam pipelines; the pipes try to utilize their own bending shape to compensate for expansion, and inverted U-shaped compensators are commonly used for this purpose.
U-shaped bends require a large amount of installation space and consume plenty of material. Expansion joint technology should be quite mature by now, right?