Fabric Expansion Joint for an Inlet Duct Application at a Gas Turbine Facility

U.S. Bellows fabricated this rectangular fabric expansion joint for an inlet duct application at a gas turbine facility. The unit is 143″ long x 61″ wide x 12″ face-to-face. The fabric belt is made from reinforced PTFE fiberglass and the frame and liner from 304 stainless steel. It is designed for an operating temperature ranging from -20°F to 600°F with a pressure of +/- 100″ water column, with 0.5″ of axial compression and 1″ of lateral deflection. A dye-penetrant examination was performed on all the structural frame welds prior to shipment.

Fabric expansion joints are used in a wide array of applications playing a crucial role in preventing damage to equipment, ensuring system reliability, and maintaining overall safety in industrial processes. Some examples of where they are used are:

• • Cement plants for ducts and exhaust systems associated with high temperature operations.

• • Mining industry for mineral and material handling including smelting.

• • HVAC systems for duct work to address any thermal movements or vibrations.

• • Marine and shipbuilding applications where exhaust systems, engine piping and other critical areas movement and vibrations must be managed.

• • Renewable energy facilities such a waste to energy or bioenergy plants in which the incineration operations are critical.

• • Paper and Pulp mills for ducting systems in drying and paper manufacturing processes.

• • Steel Mills for blast furnace systems and exhausting ducts

• • Chemical plants to handle dynamic forces associated with chemical reactions, temperature variations and corrosive environments.

• Power plants: Fossil Fuel and Nuclear plants to manage vibrations and thermal axial expansion that could stress components and fixed equipment.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 06252018