EXPANSION JOINT FOR LARGE-SCALE INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM

For a large-scale international collaborative scientific research program (Darkside-20K) involving prestigious universities and research institutes, Belman has designed and manufactured a Universal Expansion Joint for installation in an underground laboratory in Italy. The Expansion Joint will be installed in the piping system carrying argon.

CLIENT ISSUE

The Darkside-20K project involves large volumes of liquid argon, which generates thermal movement as the piping lines cool down. Therefore, the client needed to accommodate axial, lateral and angular movement in combination. The client wanted four Expansion Joints and had specified Belman’s universal Expansion Joints UN2SU for its project. The initial order was for one Expansion Joint, which would be tested on the entire system being produced. Assuming the tests were successful, the client would then order the remaining parts. Due to Belman’s long track record of successfully assisting university and research centres on Expansion Joints, the client approached us with its specifications, requesting an Expansion Joint design suitable for the project’s requirements.

The impressive DarkSide-20k project*

The DarkSide-20K project is a large-scale international collaborative scientific research program aimed at detecting dark matter. While dark matter makes up most of the universe, it cannot be seen directly. Scientists believe it consists of tiny invisible particles, and the DarkSide-20K project seeks to detect these particles for the first time. The experiment uses a massive tank filled with ultra-cold liquid argon. If a dark matter particle collides with an argon atom, it produces a tiny flash of light. Highly sensitive instruments are designed to detect that tiny flash.

The detector is located deep underground in Italy at one of the world’s largest underground research laboratories, where the surrounding rock shields it from cosmic radiation and other disturbances. DarkSide-20k is built to be extremely sensitive, reducing unwanted signals to almost zero – less than one false signal over many years of operation. By carefully analysing the timing and the shaping of these tiny flashes of light inside the liquid argon, scientists can distinguish real particle interactions from normal background radiation. Because of this exceptional precision, DarkSide-20k will not only search for dark matter but can also detect neutrinos from exploding stars known as supernovas. If a supernova occurs anywhere in our galaxy, the detector could observe the burst of neutrinos it emits and even study the early stages of the explosion. In simple terms, DarkSide-20k is like an ultra-quiet, highly sensitive microphone listening for the faintest whispers from space, whether from dark matter or from distant exploding stars.
*= Source: https://www.lngs.infn.it/en/darkside

BELMAN SOLUTION

Universal Expansion Joint for international collaborative scientific research program (Darkside-20K)

Based on the client’s request and its detailed specifications, Belman designed and manufactured a custom-built Universal Expansion Joint. As the Expansion Joint will be installed in sensitive equipment operating with argon, both exceptional product quality and careful material selection were essential. As per client request, the Expansion Joint was manufactured entirely from 1.4307 (AISI 304L), including Bellows, flange and middle pipe, ensuring excellent toughness at low temperatures. The two Bellows, combined with the middle pipe, enable the Expansion Joint to absorb axial, lateral and angular movements in combination. The Expansion Joint is untied, as the client has implemented anchoring to control the piping system.

Special connection ends due to strict space limitations

To accommodate strict space limitations, the Expansion Joint was supplied with special connection ends – welding rings – rather than conventional flanges with bolt holes. These will be welded from the outside border directly to a plate by the client. Traditional flanged connections were not considered suitable, as sealing flange-to-flange joints at cryogenic temperatures can be complex. A standard welding end would have increased the overall length by at least 40 mm, whereas the custom welding rings require only 3 mm of additional space. This compact solution is feasible due to the system’s low operating pressure.

Why choose AISI 304L stainless steel for argon applications?

Because the Expansion Joints will be used in an application with argon as its medium and operating temperatures going down as low as -100°C, the Expansion Joints have been made entirely from 1.4307 (AISI 304L). This material has excellent toughness at low temperatures and is more cost-effective compared to higher alloyed grades. If chloride levels are low, 1.4307 (AISI 304L) is sufficient. Furthermore, because this material has a low carbon content, it has superior resistance to underground/soil environments. As the piping system/laboratory is underground, this makes perfect sense. For cryogenic applications (low temperatures), ‘L-materials’ (materials with a low carbon content) are often required, as the carbon can create internal restructures. These are not good for properties at low temperatures, as the material becomes brittle.

Belman – renowned for expert Expansion Joint solutions for research institutes and university projects

At Belman, we are continually inspired by the ingenuity behind some of the world’s most ambitious engineering projects. The ability of brilliant minds to push technological boundaries never ceases to impress us. Belman expertly and proudly supports prestigious universities and their shining talents within engineering, and we are pleased to contribute to remarkable research initiatives around the world. Belman has supplied Expansion Joints to numerous universities and research institutes in both Europe and outside European borders. As a trusted partner, Belman provides expert guidance and custom-engineered Expansion Joints for advanced research and development projects. With decades of engineering experience, we bring deep technical knowledge of Expansion Joint design to high-precision and demanding environments, whether the application involves hydrogen production, CO₂ capture pilot projects, space launch systems, spallation sources or other scientific endeavours. Through these collaborations, Belman continues to support cutting-edge engineering advancements and contributes to shaping the future of industrial technology. Among other commissions, we have had the privilege of supplying Expansion Joints for innovative projects at CERN, the University of Oxford, Cranfield University and the University of Bundeswehr Munich.