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Pipe Expansion and Support
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All pipes will be installed at ambient temperature. Pipes carrying hot fluids such as water or steam operate at
higher temperatures.
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It follows that they expand, especially in length, with an increase from ambient to working temperatures. This
will create stress upon certain areas within the distribution system, such as pipe joints, which, in the extreme,
could fracture. The amount of the expansion is readily calculated using Equation 10.4.1, or read from an
appropriate chart such as Figure 10.4.1.
Equation 10.4.1
Where:
L
-3
Example 10.4.1
A 30 m length of carbon steel pipe is to be used to transport steam at 4 bar g (152C). If the pipe is installed at
10C, determine the expansion using Equation 10.4.1.
Alternatively, the chart in Figure 10.4.1 can be used for finding the approximate expansion of a variety of steel
pipe lengths - see Example 10.4.2 for explanation of use.
Example 10.4.2
Using Figure 10.4.1. Find the approximate expansion from 15C, of 100 metres of carbon steel pipework used
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Fig. 10.4.1 A chart showing the expansion in various steel pipe lengths at various temperature
differences
Pipework flexibility
The pipework system must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate the movements of the components as they
expand. In many cases the flexibility of the pipework system, due to the length of the pipe and number of
bends and supports, means that no undue stresses are imposed. In other installations, however, it will be
necessary to incorporate some means of achieving this required flexibility.
An example on a typical steam system is the discharge of condensate from a steam mains drain trap into the
condensate return line that runs along the steam line (Figure 10.4.2). Here, the difference between the
expansions of the two pipework systems must be taken into account. The steam main will be operating at a
higher temperature than that of the condensate main, and the two connection points will move relative to each
other during system warm-up.
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between two flanges. When the pipework is fully installed and anchored at both ends, the spacer is removed
and the joint pulled up tight (see Figure 10.4.3).
Fig. 10.4.4 Diagram of pipeline with fixed point, variable anchor point and expansion fitting
The fixed or 'anchor' points 'A' provide a datum position from which expansion takes place.
The sliding support points 'B' allow free movement for expansion of the pipework, while keeping the pipeline
in alignment.
The expansion device at point 'C' is to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the pipe.
Expansion fittings
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The expansion fitting ('C' Figure 10.4.4) is one method of accommodating expansion. These fittings are
placed within a line, and are designed to accommodate the expansion, without the total length of the line
changing. They are commonly called expansion bellows, due to the bellows construction of the expansion
sleeve.
Other expansion fittings can be made from the pipework itself. This can be a cheaper way to solve the
problem, but more space is needed to accommodate the pipe.
Full loop
This is simply one complete turn of the pipe and, on steam pipework, should preferably be fitted in a horizontal
rather than a vertical position to prevent condensate accumulating on the upstream side.
The downstream side passes below the upstream side and great care must be taken that it is not fitted the
wrong way round, as condensate can accumulate in the bottom. When full loops are to be fitted in a confined
space, care must be taken to specify that wrong-handed loops are not supplied.
The full loop does not produce a force in opposition to the expanding pipework as in some other types, but
with steam pressure inside the loop, there is a slight tendency to unwind, which puts an additional stress on
the flanges.
Expansion loops
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Sliding joint
These are sometimes used because they take up little room, but it is essential that the pipeline is rigidly
anchored and guided in strict accordance with the manufacturers' instructions; otherwise steam pressure
acting on the cross sectional area of the sleeve part of the joint tends to blow the joint apart in opposition to
the forces produced by the expanding pipework (see Figure 10.4.11). Misalignment will cause the sliding
sleeve to bend, while regular maintenance of the gland packing may also be needed.
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Expansion bellows
An expansion bellows, Figures 10.4.12, has the advantage that it requires no packing (as does the sliding joint
type). But it does have the same disadvantages as the sliding joint in that pressure inside tends to extend the
fitting, consequently, anchors and guides must be able to withstand this force.
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