INNOVATIVE EXPANSION JOINT SOLUTIONS
metal expansion joints.client requirement.
We were approached by a European consultant representing an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, seeking specialized expansion joint solutions for their close blowdown system. The client required multiple universal tied expansion joints of varying sizes and lengths to be installed to handle blowdown vapors and condensate drains within the system.
application overview.
In a close blowdown system used in oil refineries, both condensate drains and blowdown vapors are integral components, crucial for managing and discharging both liquids and gases. Their proper handling is essential to maintaining system integrity and ensuring safe operation.
● Condensate Drain
The condensate drain serves to collect liquids, typically water, which condenses from steam or gases within the system. This liquid is directed safely for either treatment or disposal. If the condensate is deemed suitable for reuse, it can be directed back into the system—often for boiler feedwater or other operational processes. If not reusable, the condensate is managed according to environmental regulations, ensuring minimal impact on the environment.
● Blowdown Vapors
Blowdown vapors are typically hot and under pressure, and can contain a mixture of hydrocarbon vapors, water vapor, and gases like methane, carbon dioxide, or sulfur compounds, depending on the specific refining processes. These vapors are directed either to a vapor recovery system for reprocessing or treated before being safely released into the atmosphere.
few design specifications.
Type
Sizes
Medium
Installation Position
Operating Temperature
Operating Pressure
Flow Velocity
Length
Bellows Material
Design Code
End Fittings
Inner Sleeve Material
Operating Lateral Movement
Quantity
Type
Size
Medium
Installation Position
Operating Temperature
Operating Pressure
Flow Velocity
Length
Bellows Material
Design Code
End Fittings
Inner Sleeve Material
Operating Lateral Movement
Quantity
manufacturing.
For the close blowdown system, out of the various other factors to consider, Ocelflex engineers considered two important design parameters :
● Blowdown vapors and condensate flow through the system at varying temperatures. As hot gases cool and condensate is processed, significant thermal expansion and contraction occur. Our expansion joints were carefully designed to absorb these movements, preventing stress on the piping and ensuring reliable operation.
● Blowdown systems often experience rapid pressure changes during pressure release. Ocelflex expansion joints are engineered to accommodate these pressure transients, allowing the system to flex without causing damage or compromising safety.
Once the expansion joint designs were finalized and approved, Ocelflex successfully manufactured and delivered the expansion joints within a two-week timeframe. The joints were promptly installed at the client's facility, and the client expressed full satisfaction with both the quality of the products and the comprehensive documentation provided. The seamless integration of the expansion joints into the system reinforced the efficiency and reliability of the blowdown process.
