REDUCING LOADS ON CRITICAL EQUIPMENT USING
EXPANSION JOINTS AT A
RESEARCH FACILITY

Belman designed and manufactured eight high-precision Expansion Joints for a multinational research facility in Sweden, specifically for installation in their Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU) and a filter unit. Given that the reactor operates with helium gas as the medium, ensuring exceptional tightness was a critical requirement to maintain system integrity and performance.

 

CLIENT ISSUE
At their Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU), the client’s piping system featured a loop without Expansion Joints, causing elevated loads to be transferred onto the HRU. This resulted in excessive and costly maintenance, impacting system efficiency. The client approached Belman through our long-term trusted partner to discuss possible solutions with input from a highly experienced expert on Expansion Joints to solve this issue and achieve a more reliable and lasting operation.

 

BELMAN SOLUTION – optimised piping layout using Expansion Joints for reduced loads and increased flexibility
In general, a loop with Expansion Joints is more flexible and transfers significantly less mechanical force than a loop without Expansion Joints. To help the client develop a durable solution that incorporates Expansion Joints in order to meet the requirements for low spring rates and the elimination of reaction forces while also offering a compact solution due to space constraints, Belman engaged in several in-depth discussions on multiple scenarios with the client. Through a comprehensive evaluation of different piping layouts and Expansion Joint configurations, Belman worked closely with the client to identify the most effective way to reduce reaction loads on the HRU and filters. The client showed Belman various scenarios of piping designs showcasing Expansion Joints. These proposals were thoroughly analysed and evaluated during the meetings with participation from client experts, our partner and Belman, focusing on comparing and evaluating key performance factors such as radial reaction force, axial reaction forces, bending moments and torsional moments.

After careful comparison and evaluation, the client and Belman together selected the best and most durable solution for the application – one that provided the lowest possible spring rates and no pressure-induced reaction forces. The final design included four precise-engineered Gimbal Expansion Bellows to absorb the angular movements generated by the piping design at the HRU along with four Tied Expansion Joints to absorb the axial movement and lateral movements generated by the piping system at the filters. By implementing this combination of Expansion Joints in the selected piping layout, the client achieved a safe, long-lasting and maintenance-efficient solution, significantly reducing the risk of unexpected maintenance and operational disruptions.

 

Extraordinary R&D support
As the gimbal system of the Angular Expansion Joints partly supports the piping system, extra calculations on the external loads were conducted. Belman’s R&D team engineered reinforcements of the gimbal system on the Expansion Joints to ensure they could handle the applied loads. To assist the client with precise integration, .stp files were extraordinarily provided, allowing the client to insert the Expansion Joints designs into their piping design software and check for potential collisions in the limited available space. The Rohr2 analysis performed by the client was then forwarded to Belman for a thorough review, to ensure the selected piping design and the Expansion Joint solution were aligned

 

Belman – renowned for expert guidance and help to research institutes and universities
Belman is a trusted partner for research institutes and universities, providing expert guidance and custom-engineered Expansion Joints for advanced research and development projects. With decades of engineering expertise, Belman is able to leverage deep technical Expansion Joint knowledge to the benefit of these high-precision environments, irrespective of whether the project in question deals with hydrogen production and CO2 capture pilot projects, student-built space rockets, a spallation source or any other scientific project. In this way, Belman continues to contribute to cutting-edge engineering advancements, helping to shape the future of industrial technology.