Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint
- Accepts axial, lateral and angular movements
- Eliminates Pressure Thrust
Applications
- Pressure balance are used when pressure thrust needs to be eliminated
- There are two types of PB, with an elbow requires a 90 degree turn in the piping system, and inline can be put in a straight piping system
Operating Range
- Full vacuum to 2000 psig depending on size
- Cryogenic to 1650°F+
- Sizes from 1” NPS to > 240” NPS
Materials
- 3XX Series Stainless Steel
- Nickel Alloys
- Carbon Steel
- Titanium
- Zirconium
FIT
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Bellows may be a attached or linked
to piping anges, pipe, or other typical industrial connections. -
End connections may conform to standards such as ASME B16.5, ASME B36.10, or customer designed.
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Fittings generally not the same at all locations: interface connections may be as noted above. Connections within the assembly are typically to pipe.
FORM
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At least Two circular metal bellows, each with 1 or more convolutions. Can have Four bellows.
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Typical dimensions of 2”ANSI NPS to 120” ID. Overall length may vary, typically within the range of 36” to 240”.
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Bellows may include reinforcement or controlling members.
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Convolutions maybe U shaped or toroidal.
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Additional accessories maybe incorporated such as load bearing restraints, movement limiters, protection devices.
FUNCTION
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Absorbs movement, primarily axial, but may include small amounts of lateral and/or angular movement.
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Use of controlling members, typically tie rods, is required to cancel the bellows pressure thrust forces on adjacent equipment/piping.
(some mes referred to as PA loads). -
Movement amplitude varies, typically within the range of 1/4” to 10”.
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Movement frequency may be extreme low cycle (1 per year), or high cyclic (such as vibration at 60 Hz)
