GE Energy
Gas Engines
Exhaust System Installation Guidelines
1. Allow for thermal expansion of the exhaust pipe
beyond the Waukesha* flex. The Waukesha exhaust
flex (when supplied) will accommodate engine
thermal expansion but cannot tolerate movement
imposed by external thermal growth. Insulated pipes
will run hotter and consequently expand more.
COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION
Steel 0.00065 in/in/100°F
Stainless steel 0.00099 in/in/100°F
EXAMPLE: 10 ft. of steel pipe on a L7042G with an
exhaust temperature of 1060°F will expand based on
60°F ambient. (0.00065 in/in/100°F) (10 ft) (12 in/ft)
(1060°-60°/100 ) = .78 in.
2. Remember that a flex connection has “spring
constants” (lateral, axial, radial, torsional) that should
be considered when engineering the exhaust system.
Transmission of forces to the engine exhaust system
(engine exhaust flange) must be nil. (Any specific load
or bending moment limits shown on an engine’s
installation drawing must not be exceeded.)
AXIAL
RADIAL
Exhaust System Installation Guidelines
Intake/Exhaust Systems
3. Design the exhaust system so it will not impose
torsional forces on the exhaust flex connection.
4. The exhaust flex connection should be designed to
allow for flexing caused by engine operation,
acceleration, deceleration, starting and stopping. The
Waukesha exhaust flex (when supplied) will
accommodate engine vibrations with a solidly
mounted unit, but cannot tolerate the additional
forces/displacement imposed by mounting on spring
isolators. Additional flex capabilities will be required
when the unit is mounted on isolators.
5. Consider expected life. Cyclic flexing can lead to
premature failure by causing fatigue breakage.
6. Utilize a combination of fixed supports, rollers and
flex connections to provide a well designed exhaust
system. See sketches for additional concepts.
7. Provide water traps/drains to prevent exhaust
condensation and/or rain from reaching the engine.
This is especially true on long pipe runs. Use rain
caps where applicable. Slope piping away from
engine.
LATERAL
TORSIONAL
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Gas Engines Intake/Exhaust Systems
8. The minimum requirements for the design of the convergence of the two exhaust streams to produce
exhaust system should be to contain explosions that proper flow and restriction balance. Convergence
could be encountered during the operation of the angle from the center of symmetry must not exceed
engine. Waukesha recommends the use of carbon 45 degrees. The outlet area of the y-connection must
steel schedule 20 pipe as a minimum. Stainless steel be equal to or greater than the sum of the two inlet
schedule 10 pipe is preferred because of its greater areas.
strength properties at elevated temperatures.
11. Size piping and silencer so that exhaust system back
Waukesha does not recommend using double walled
pressure, as measured at the engine outlet flange, is
piping or slip joints on engine exhausts.
less than that indicated in the specifications page in
9. Utilize smooth transition to final pipe size when a the tech data book.
transition in size is required. Waukesha recommends
12. Provide clearance to permit use of a chain hoist for
a diverging angle of 15 degrees for low pressure drop
removal of heavy components.
(see sketches for straight and elbowed transitions).
13. For other exhaust system parameters see chapter
10. Engines with two exhaust outlets combined into one
seven, (Exhaust System) of the “Waukesha
(such as 12VAT25GL engine) must have a
Installation Manual” (Form 1091.
symmetrical design up to and including the point of

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Gas Engines Intake/Exhaust Systems

EXHAUST OUTLET FLANGE (125#)

(SEE INSTALLATION DRAWING
FOR FLANGE SIZE)

TYPICAL
WAUKESHA
EXHAUST + 0.0 + 0.0
FLEX
EXHAUS EXHAUST SYSTEM MUST
T + 0.0 SUPPORT ITS OWN WEIGHT
+ 0.0 AND THERMAL EXPANSION
+ 0.0
BEYOND THIS POINT SEE NOTE 3

+ 0.0

EXHAUST OUTLET FLANGE TYPICAL EXHAUST SYSTEM EXAMPLE:

*MAXIMUM DISTORTION DUE TO CUSTOMERS PIPING OTHER SYSTEMS UTILIZING LONGER PIPE RUNS, HEAT SEE
RECOVERY EQUIPMENT. CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ETC. NOTE 11
CAN BE ENGINEERED USING SIMILAR CONCEPTS.

SEE NOTE 3

DRAIN
(SEE
NOTE 7)

ADDITION FLEX
(SEE NOTE 4)
ADDITION FLEX
(SEE NOTE 4)

NORMAL PROFILE WITH SPRING ISOLATORS LOW PROFILE WITH SPRING ISOLATORS
1
5
LEGEND
GROWTH (CHANGE IN LENGTH) SEE NOTE 1

DIRECTION OF GROWTH
(GROWTH NOT ALLOWED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION)
SEE
NOTE 9 FIXED (RIGID) PIPE MOUNTS
ROLLER

STRAIGHT ELBOWED FLEX CONN. MUST ACCOMMODATE ALLBETWEEN RIGID

TRANSITION TRANSITION MOUNTS

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Gas Engines Intake/Exhaust Systems

DUAL OUTLET (SIDE VIEW) DUAL OUTLET (TOP VIEW)

SEE NOTE 10
45MAX

SEE NOTE 11

The dual outlets shown below violate the symmetry requirement or have a converging
angle which exceeds 45 potentially causing high or unbalanced restriction.

DUAL OUTLET WITH UNEQUAL DUAL OUTLET INTO HEADER

LENGTH LEGS WITH SIDE DISCHARGE

BRANCH INTO MAIN LINE DUAL OUTLET INTO A TEE

*Trademark of General Electric Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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