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Function: More About Rubber Expansion Joint
Function: More About Rubber Expansion Joint
FUNCTION
Rubber Expansion Joint is flexible connector fabricated of natural or synthetic elastomers
with reinforcements to provide stress relief in piping systems due to thermal, mechanical
and other movements. It provides flexibility and concurrent movements, isolation of
vibration and noise, resistance to abrasion and chemical erosion. The other properties are:
a) Reduce Vibrations
b) Dampen sound transmission
c) Compensate Lateral, Axial, Torsional and Angular movements.
d) Light weight
e) Low movement forces
f) Reduce fatigue factor
g) Reduce Heat Loss
h) Corrosion, Erosion resistant
i) Acoustical Impedance
j) Greater shock resistance.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
WREN designed Expansion Joints
are flexible, reinforced elastomers
which are used in piping systems to
meet the following major needs:
1. To protect piping by absorbing any difference in
dimension due to temperature variation or line
movement.
2. To protect equipment such as supports & anchors,
pumps, valves, turbines, condensors & other line
equipment by reducing equipment vibration.
ACCESSORIES
A. Split Retaining Ring
All Rubber Expansion Joints are supplied with Split Retaining Ring. The Rings are
supplied to provide equal distribution of bolting stresses during fitment of the Expansion
Joint in the pipeline and assure a pressure tight seal. The Rings are made of flat steel and
galvanised with inner edges bevelled and are drilled to match respective drillings of the
Rubber Expansion Joints.
B. CONTROL UNITS
It is advisable to use Control Units with all Rubber Expansion Joints. The Control Unit
assembly, consisting of two or more the control rods alongwith stretcher plate are placed
across the Expansion Joints from flange to flange. This minimizes possible damage of the
Expansion Joint caused by excessive motion of the bolt line, due to failure of anchor or
equipment. It also absorbs static pressure thrust developed at the joint and limits the
extension and compression movements, if required, to prevent damage to the main
equipment without hampering its basic need. Inadequate support of pipelines, incorrect
anchoring, considerable temperature variations may cause many abnormal movements.
Such undesirable and destructive movements can effectively be encountered by using
control units.
Spherical & Conical washers may also be used with the control units to achieve greater
lateral movement, if required.
SPECIAL
Piping Stress Analysis for piping systems using our Expansion Joints can be provided by
us, if required, based an specified data.
TESTING
An Expansion Joint is assessed for every vital performance criterion:
The tests include:
1) Tensile strength
2) Elongation
3) Ageing properties
4) Shock absorption
5) Deflection
6) Resilience
7) Abrasion resistance
8) Heat built up
9) Life Cycle Test with load
10) Bonding strength
11) Ozone resistant test
12) Hydraulic stability test
13) Vacuum test
14) Hydraulic test
15) Stiffness test
16) Vibration test
17) Any other test as required by the customer
USERS
D.WREN Expansion Joints provide an inexpensive and efficient solution in a wide
range of applications :
Construction
Central heating and air conditioning, hot and cold water systems.
Chemical Industry
Fluids handling systems : acids, bases, hydrocarbons, emulsions, solutions, air, gas,
steam, water etc.
Power and Energy Production
Cooling systems, Pumping stations, Condenser Inlet & Outlet etc. for conventional and
nuclear power plants.
Petroleum Industry
Cooling systems and fuel handling, petroleum & by product, gas systems.
Naval Construction
Machine cooling systems, sanitary installations, fire extinguishing systems and fluids
handling systems.
Metallurgy
Blast furnace gas, compressed air and industrial water systems.
Water Treatment
Production and distribution of drinking water, waste water treatment & Pumping
installations.
Food Industry
Drinking water and other beverage handling systems.
Building
Central heating and air conditioning systems, hot and cold water distribution systems,
risers and gas connections.
Iron and Steel
Blast furnace gas systems, industrial water and compressed air systems.
Ship building
Cooling systems for machines, sanitary utilities, fire fighting systems and various loading
& unloading systems.
Railways
Used in ducting & engine cooling system
Process Industry
Process piping in paper & pulp, chemical, primary metal & petroleum refining plants.
More than 200,000 D.WREN Rubber Expansion Joints (ranging from sizes of 25 mm NB
3000 mm NB) are in use in Thermal Power Plants, Atomic Power Plants, Chemical
Plants, Steel Plants, Ships, Paper and Pulp Mills, Sewage disposals, Oil Refinery and
Pumping Stations – a total of more than 1000 projects, cumulatively valued at US $ 500
Billion throughout India, Asia & Europe – WITHOUT A SINGLE CASE OF FAILURE.
INSTALLATION
Piping sections where Expansion
Joints are accommodated should
be anchored properly to take care
of Stresses / Reaction forces due
to internal pressure.
An Expansion Joint must always
be installed between two
anchoring points (fixed supports)
If it is not possible to install
anchoring points (support
points),stabilizing devices must be
used.
In order to avoid pipe buckling,
guide collars must be provided
regularly along the pipe length.
A guide collar must also be
provided on either side of the
Expansion Joint.
Maximum service life depends
on careful and correct
installation.Transport Expansion
Joints to area of installation in
packed condition.
Flange face of companion
flanges in pipeline should be
smooth and without any sharp
edges. For large size of
Expansion Joints installed in
horizontal ducts, lifting lugs
welded t flanges should be used
to hoist joint in position. Joints
should only be fitted after all
work on the pipeline and flanges
has been complete and anchors
and supports have been
established. This is to avoid any
accidental damage due to
welding splatter or sharp objects
and to ensure that the joints are
not overstressed.
The bolts on the flanges must be
tightened evenly. Uneven
tightening may lead to hazardous
leakage. Faulty fitting may lead
to failure of the expansion joints.
STORAGE
Expansion Joints are to be stored in a cool, dry airy covered place suitably wrapped.
Should be stored on Platform / Racks..
Storage of Rubber Expansion Joints for longer period – Air Conditioned Storage is
recommended.
Should not come in contact with Acid, Alkali, Oil, Grease etc. (Irrespective of services in
which to be employed)
Should be stored vertically with integral flanges of the Rubber Expansion Joints in full
contact with rack/ flooring or parallel to rack floorings when stored in box.
The Expansion Joints should not be stored horizontally resting on the integral flange or
resting on side wall or at any angle.
To be handled with care while shifting to and from storage and to ensure no external
damage occurs.
Scores, scratches, indentation are to be strictly avoided specially on faces of the integral
flange and the inner tube.
Steel sections and accessories used alongwith the Expansion joints are to be protected
from corrosion effect. Periodical checks and adequate measures if needed should be
taken.
Steel sections and accessories should be handled properly to avoid any distortion during
handling.
Expansion joints in crate packed condition should be unloaded from transport by wire/
rope sling carefully and should be stored in clean and dry conditions and must be
protected against mechanical damage. Storage must be a covered area at a temperature 70
deg. C to 30 deg. C. Care should be taken that under no circumstances the insulation
layers of joints be allowed to get well.
Do not unpack the joints until ready for installation. Protective covers should not be
removed as long as possible.
Transport Supports – such as Metal / Wooden props / struts provided between flanges
should not be removed until the joints are in position in ductwork.