When installing pipelines in various systems, such a device as a bellows expansion joint must be taken into account. We will talk about this important device in more detail in this article.
Product description
The bellows compensator is an extensible and flexible device within the limits of conditional deformation. Its purpose is quite extensive:
- Compensates for thermal expansion of piping as well as misalignment due to installation errors.
- Reduces vibration loads caused by running equipment.
- Increases the tightness of the pipeline.
The installation of bellows expansion joints is especially relevant in high-rise buildings. In this case, the installation of this product allows you to reduce the load in the interfloor horizontal pipeline bends. The specified device has the main working part, called the bellows. This is an elastic corrugated metal shell. She is capableshrink and stretch, bend or shift when the length changes, the alignment of the pipeline is disturbed (due to changes in temperature, pressure and other influences).
Dignity
The bellows expansion joint has the following advantages:
- Possibility of installation on various sections of the pipeline.
- Small size.
- Ability to work in any conditions, with a wide range of temperature and pressure.
Classification
Differences in the design of these devices are due to their purpose: to compensate for angular, longitudinal expansions, misalignment, vibration effects. Thus, the following types of considered devices are distinguished
- Axial (axial). They compensate for thermal expansion in the axial direction of the pipeline.
- Angular. Compensate for the displacement of the axes of the branch pipes. The bellows axis of this product is curved.
- Unloaded devices. They are designed to compensate for axial and shear displacements of the pipeline, which has a bend at a right angle, with temperature fluctuations in the environment. They unload structures from expansion forces.
- Universal bellows expansion joints. They have an internal screen, a shift and a rotary device. Such products consist of one or two bellows and connecting fittings. They compensate for axial, shear and angular displacements relative to the axis, and also prevent vibrationspipelines and equipment.
Material of production
Currently, the market provides a huge range of these products. These devices can be made from various materials:
1. Steel bellows expansion joints. They compensate for the large loads caused by the thermal expansion of the pipeline. They are made from high quality materials. In this case, several layers of thin stainless steel grades 08X18H10T and 10X17H13M2T are used. The chemical and mechanical properties of this material are checked by the input control at the manufacturing plant. This guarantees the quality of the steel from which the expansion joint is made. Layers of thin metal are formed into bellows by hydraulic pressing or rolling. The thinner they are, the longer the life of the product as a whole. This product is used in local and main pipelines.
2. Rubber compensators. They are made from special synthetic rubber with cord reinforcement. The service life of such a product is about 20 years. However, this device does not require repair and maintenance.
3. Fabric compensators. They are susceptible to displacements, mechanical loads, oscillations and vibrations in axial and transverse directions. They are used to compensate for deformations in a variety of gas pipelines.
