belman@belman.com
ENERGY SECTOR
EXPANSION JOINTS
Expansion Joints for the energy sector are used in a wide variety of applications. Through numerous projects across this sector, Belman has gained extensive experience with a wide range of installation purposes. The operating conditions in these applications can vary significantly, placing high demands on the Expansion Joints.
Applications:
- Geothermal power plants
- Nuclear power plants
- Fossil fuel power plants (Coal-, natural gas-, oil-fired etc.)
- Hydroelectric power plants
- Waste-to-Energy plants (WtE)
- Biomass-to-Energy plants (BtE)
- District heating
- Desalination and power plants
- Among others
Installation points:
- Cooling water lines
- Feed water systems
- Pumps
- Heat distribution pipelines
- Water distribution pipelines
- Mills and burners
- Pipe bridges
- Steam boilers, steam turbines and steam systems
- Gas pipelines
- Boiler ducts
- Turbines to condenser
Design range and scope of supply within energy sector Expansion Joints
The capability design range for Belman and power generation sector Expansion Joints are:
DIMENSIONS:
DN 50 – DN 3000
(Belman range is up to
DN 25 – 12.000)
PRESSURE:
-1 barg to 145 barg
From full vaccum up to more than 250 barg if required
TEMPERATURE:
-45°C to +800°C
(Belman range:
From -269°C to +1000°C)
MATERIALS:
All austenitic stainless steels including 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti), 1.4404 (AISI 316L), 1.4541 (AISI 321), 1.4406 (AISI 316LN), Duplux and Superduplex, Inconel 625, Incoloy 825, 1.4828 (AISI 309), 1.4878 (AISI 321H), 1.5415 (16Mo3), 1.4529 (AISI 904L), etc.
DESIGN CODES:
EN 13445, EN 13480, EN 14917
ASME VIII, div.I, ASME B31.3
ASME B31.1, EJMA, AD 2000
and others on request
TESTS:
Radiographic examination (X-ray), Helium leak testing, Pressure test, Air test, Dye penetrant test, Magnetic particle examination and many more
ENERGY SECTOR EXPANSION JOINTS
CASE STORY
State-of-the-art Expansion Joints engineered to eliminate coal dust emissions between mills and burners. Belman has designed, manufactured and supplied 41 sets of Refractory Lined Articulated Expansion Joints for installation on the pulverized fuel ducts of the boilers in a Polish Power Plant. The power plant was equipped with supercritical once-through pulverized fuel boiler for bituminous coal and an extraction-condensing turbo set in a closed cooling water system with wet cooling tower. The media in the fuel ducts is a mixture of air with pulverized coal dust, which lead to the requirement for the special insulation of the Expansion Joints. Due to the supercritical coal dust media the Expansion Joints were refractory lined.
CASE STORY
This giant Finger Type Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint are installed in the steam line of a Saudi Arabian Power and Desalination Plant. The Finger Type Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint is a 4-meter long DN 2500 Expansion Joint having a balancing Bellow of an amazing DN 3800. This giant Finger Type Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint, weighing in at 14 tons, is an Inline Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint with internal limiters (finger design) and designed according to EJMA. The Finger Type Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint absorbs large axial movements (+0/-190 mm) in the steam line and operates under -1/2,5 barg at +230°C. These rather demanding operating parameters dictate the requirements for the design and materials used.
REFERENCES
Vattenfall • Termo Petroleo • Ørsted (Dong Energy) • RWE • Irkutskenergo • STEAG • Endesa • Novosibirskenergo • ELCEN • Mosenergo • Drax Group • EnBW • Hofor • Tauron • BHEL • Ceylon Electricity Board • Rosatom • RWE Npower • Fortum • EDF • AEP Energy • E.ON • Inter RAO • Wien Energie • ENGIE • Enel •
Howden • Anlima Group • Uniper • Veitur • ENECO • Mitsuibishi Power • Stadtwerke Flensborg • Kraftanlagen • Kraftzer • Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) • Hamburger Energiewerke • NEM Energy • Bouygues Gruppe • Enefit • OKG AB • Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPES & DESIGN
The Expansion Joint types and designs applied in the energy sector cover both standard catalogue Expansion Joints as well as highly customised solutions designed for the exact application. However, Belman mainly sees the following types of Expansion Joints used within energy sector applications:
- Untied Expansion Joints
- Universal Expansion Joints
- Tied Expansion Joints
- Hinged Expansion Joints
- Gimbal Expansion Joints
- Pressure Balanced Expansion Joints
- Elbow Expansion Joints
- Ring Reinforced Expansion Joints
- Externally Pressurised Expansion Joints
- District Heating Expansion Joints
- One-step Expansion Joints
Custom Expansion Joint solutions for the energy sector
As Expansion Joints are used in a wide variety of applications and operate under a broad range of operating conditions and media compositions, the design, materials and features of the Expansion Joints vary from project to project. Belman is highly specialised in selecting, engineering and producing the optimal solution for the client and the specific application.
MATERIALS
Expansion Joints for energy sector applications are made from many different steel and alloy materials. Stainless steel, heat resistant steels and high-alloy steel types are generally used for both the Bellow(s), inner sleeve, flanges, middle pipe and welding ends. In some situations flanges, pipes and other components can be made from carbon steel such as 1.0038, 1.0425 etc., and protected with a special coating system. Belman can, among other materials design and manufacture Expansion Joints for the energy sector from:
- All austenitic stainless steels (i.e. 1.4541, 1.4571, 1.4404, etc. )
- 1.4406 (AISI 316LN)
- Duplex and Superduplex
- Inconel 625 (2.4856)
- Incoloy 825 (2.4858)
- 1.4828 (AISI 309)
- 1.4878 ((AISI 321 H)
- 1.5415 (16Mo3)
- 1.4529 (AISI 904L)
ADVANTAGES
- The correct Expansion Joint solution for the application
- Customised in all kinds of materials, even special alloys
- Cost-efficient solution for any applications
- Manufacturer experienced in Expansion Joints for the energy sector
PRODUCT
BROCHURE
GET THE
CATALOGUE
QUALITY & TESTS
Belman is known for high quality products and therefore our quality control is a fundamental part of our business. All processes during production designed by the Belman quality engineers, is strictly follow and implement according our procedures and instructions and carefully inspected by Belman quality inspectors. All checks and inspections are done according to the strict prevailing Belman quality control procedures which is part of the Belman ISO 9001 quality management system approved by DNV.
ITP & Test
Inspection test Plan generated by the quality management system makes sure that each step of manufacturing has the appropriate inspection points such as Hold and Witness points.
Based on manufacturing code, project specification, application, media, and eventual ship classification rules Belman performs a large variety of quality tests including destructive, non-destructive testing and proof testing. All tests can be witnessed by the 3rd part based on the customer and classification requirements.
- Destructive test: such as life cycle test and burst test to validate the design, i.e., vessels and offshore platforms
- Non-destructive test such as Visual testing, dye penetrant test, Radiography examination, Magnetic testing, ultrasonic testing, hardness testing and PMI for all applications
- Proof tests: leak test with air, leak test with helium and formier gas, hydrostatic pressure test for all application
EXPANSION JOINTS FOR
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
Belman is highly experienced in the design and manufacture of Expansion Joints for nuclear power plants. The nuclear power industry demands thorough and accurate project documentation. This requires not only a careful study of project specifications, but often a deep knowledge of local standards and regulations, as well as design verification, testing and supporting documentation. Due to these stringent conditions the ability to deliver the required documentation is an important consideration when selecting an Expansion Joint vendor. Belman is well known for its fully documented solutions, supporting even small-scale projects with extensive documentation. This ensures Belman’s continued selection as Expansion Joint supplier to the nuclear industry. As an experienced supplier to the nuclear power industry, Belman has been successfully operating both directly and through EPC contractors for more than a decade, with a series of significant projects in its reference list.
Penetration seals
in segments
Metallic Expansion Joints can function as Penetration Seals when specifically designed for that purpose. Belman specializes in customized Expansion Joint solutions and always tailors the design to suit the specific application and client requirements. To ease installation, Belman designs and manufactures customised Penetration Seals that can be delivered in segmented sections.
In segments for easy installation
Penetration Seals can be supplied in segmented designs to simplify on-site installation. This is particularly beneficial for retrofit projects or in confined spaces where installing a one-piece unit would be impractical. Segmented Penetration Seals allow easier handling, positioning, and mounting around existing piping without extensive dismantling. Once assembled, the segments provide the same airtight performance, structural integrity, and movement absorption as a one-piece solution. This flexible installation approach reduces downtime, minimizes on-site modifications, and ensures a reliable and efficient installation under challenging conditions.
DISTRICT HEATING
EXPANSION JOINTS
District Heating Expansion Joints and One Step Expansion Joints are specially developed for district heating piping systems and power plants. Both types are specifically developed for district heating applications and are suitable for ground-surface and underground pipeline systems. Belman offers both standard as well as customised solutions. Depending on the application, Expansion Joints for District Heating can be divided into two main categories:
- District Heating Expansion Joints for multiple use
- One-step Expansion Joints
District heating pipelines are mainly exposed to thermal expansions caused by temperature fluctuations as a result of system start-up or specific operating conditions. District Heating Expansion Joints are available with special features, such as:
- Pre-stressing
- Remote leakage monitoring
- Insulation
RUBBER
EXPANSION JOINTS
In the energy sector, Rubber Expansion Joints are widely used alongside Metallic Expansion Joints and Fabric Expansion Joints. To offer a complete product range to the energy sector, Belman also designs and supplies a wide range of Rubber Expansion Joints. As Belman’s core competence is the design and manufacturing of Metallic Expansion Joints, we have formed close partnerships with experienced and skilled manufacturers of Rubber Expansion Joints. With suitable solutions available at Belman, clients therefore derive the same benefits from our Rubber Bellows as from our Metallic Bellows. Belman has a long and proven track record.
The Rubber Expansion Joint
A Rubber Expansion Joint is a flexible unit that is manufactured from natural or synthetic elastomers or fluoroplastics and, if necessary, reinforcement of the Bellow (steel, nylon or aramid) is added. Rubber Bellows are an ideal solution for pipe systems to absorb movements, vibrations, and to reduce noise, resulting in a long service life of the pipework and connected equipment.
WE HAVE ENGINEERED
EXPANSION JOINTS SINCE 1994
This enables us to find you the optimum solution to your piping system.