EXPANSION JOINTS WITH
LOW SPRING RATES
FOR SUGAR PLANT TURBINE

For a sugar plant, Belman designed and manufactured four Double Tied Expansion Joints for installation on the turbine exhaust/outlet. The Expansion Joints were specially engineered with low spring rates to minimize the forces transferred to the sensitive turbine. A tie rods system was incorporated into the design to function as axial movement limiters.

 

CLIENT ISSUE

For new and modified piping at the sugar plant’s turbine, the client required four Double Tied Expansion Joints for the turbine exhaust/outlet. Due to project-specific requirements, the client was looking for an experienced Expansion Joint manufacturer capable of designing and manufacturing customised Expansion Joints in accordance with their specifications. A key requirement was also that the supplier had the engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities to design and manufacture the Expansion Joints in accordance with ASME B31.3, and therefore the client turned to Belman.

 

BELMAN SOLUTION

Expansion Joints with low spring rates for sugar plant turbine

As specified by the client, Belman designed and manufactured four Tied Expansion Joints in accordance with ASME B31.3, each featuring two Bellows. A middle pipe between the Bellows provides the flexibility required to absorb the specified movements while ensuring that the Expansion Joints fit the available space in the piping system. Tie rods are incorporated into the design to function as axial movement limiters.

The overall length of the Expansion Joints is adapted to the available space in the piping system while ensuring low spring rates. This minimizes the forces transferred to the existing piping system and connected equipment. As steam turbines are particularly sensitive to external loads, the Expansion Joints were specially engineered with the lowest possible spring rate to minimize the transferal of loads to the turbine – thereby protecting the turbine and supporting safe and reliable operation.

To protect the Expansion Joints against corrosion, a protective primer was applied to the carbon steel parts.

 

Tie rod system functions as axial movement limiters

The Expansion Joints are designed to absorb axial and lateral movements in combination. To ensure correct movement absorption and prevent the Bellows from being exposed to movements outside their design parameters, a tie rod system was incorporated into the design. To provide balanced movement accommodation, both the 2,000 mm and 1,700 mm-long Expansion Joints were equipped with three tie rods each. These provide stability against unintended angular movements while allowing the Expansion Joints to accommodate the calculated axial and lateral movements.

With this design, the tie rods function as axial movement limiters, preventing the Expansion Joints from extending beyond their specified overall lengths under pressure (1,700 mm and 2,000 mm respectively) while still allowing the required axial movement to be absorbed. Spherical washers incorporated into the tie rod system allow the required lateral movement to occur freely and without restriction.

The lugs keep the tie rods correctly positioned, preventing them from hanging or moving unintentionally. This provides additional stability and ensures that the tie rod system functions as intended.

 

Wooden transport bars protect the Expansion Joint during transport and handling

To ensure safe transportation, handling and installation, long Expansion Joints are fitted with temporary wooden transport bars. These wooden bars help stabilize the Expansion Joint, maintain its position and protect it against unwanted movement or damage during transit and handling.

The wooden transport bars are temporary protective measures and must be removed as specified after installation. Once removed, the Expansion Joint is free to accommodate the movements and operating conditions for which it was designed.

 

Expansion Joints sent by sea transport

Sea freight from Denmark to the Philippines provided the most cost-efficient transportation solution for the client. Belman regularly ships Expansion Joints by sea to installation sites around the world. To protect the Expansion Joints throughout the journey, they are packed in robust wooden export boxes designed for the demands of international transportation. The packaging helps protect the Expansion Joints against damage during handling, lifting, storage and transportation, while the components are securely supported and restrained inside the boxes.

For international shipments, solid-wood packaging is typically ISPM 15 compliant, meaning that the wood has undergone an approved phytosanitary treatment to reduce the risk of spreading wood-boring pests between countries.

 

Belman – expertise in Expansion Joints for sugar plants

Since 1994, Belman has supplied engineered Expansion Joint solutions for demanding applications worldwide. With decades of experience, Belman supports sugar plants with Expansion Joint solutions designed to accommodate movements in piping systems at sugar plants. Each solution is engineered according to the specific operating conditions. By combining proven design principles with advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise, Belman delivers robust, efficient and long-lasting Expansion Joint solutions that contribute to the safe and reliable operation of sugar plants. Belman has supplied numerous Gimbal Expansion Joints, Tied Expansion Joints and Untied Expansion Joints, among many others, for sugar plants in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.