Under what circumstances are expansion joints required at the pipe connections of graphite heat exchangers and towers?
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As the title suggests, under what circumstances are expansion joints required at graphite heat exchangers and tower nozzles? It’s unbelievable that the design institute didn’t know they needed to install expansion joints. I’m stunned.
For graphite heat exchangers, expansion joints made of polytetrafluoroethylene are generally used when there are large temperature differences or pressure differences. If the heat exchanger is a heater or reboiler, steam expansion joints also need to be installed at the corresponding steam inlets. Of course, for extra safety, it is best to install expansion joints at each pipe connection; this may increase costs initially, but from a safety perspective and in the long term, it is still necessary
As a supplementary note: when it comes to PTFE expansion joints, those from Sigle (which acquired Schnabel) are the best, but they are also relatively expensive. Last year they were on sale at a special price; I’m not sure what the situation is this year
OP, how is things going with this matter now?