SUCCESS STORY

Avoid Expansion Joint failure - Radiant heat and its impact

Expansion Joints are often neglected until there is a catastrophic failure. This is obviously not intentional however - preventive maintenance could drastically reduce certain failures if identified soon enough and corrective action taken.

SITUATION

Identifying one or two failed expansion joints might be problematic in terms of finding an opportune time to perform the replacement. Taking this action however could prevent further failures in months to come, resulting not only in monetary savings, but also getting the expected life out of the expansion joint.

RADIANT HEAT

Radiant heat is a serious issue that will eventually cause any expansion joint to fail. In most cases, the outer cover of the expansion joint is only rated to approximately 390°F (200°C). In many cases, fabric penetration seals are quite close together, bundled in a pocket with little to no ambient air flow. The tube bundles are in “pockets”, steel girders are often placed in such a way that they form boxes around certain tube bundles. This creates a type of an oven and if one penetration seal starts failing, a ripple effect will take place resulting in the entire module failing.

FAILURES AS A RESULT OF RADIANT HEAT

Failures do not necessarily have to originate from the penetration seal, they ould also start from internal insulation and / or liner plate issues inside the RSG.

There are ways to rectify this type of failure as well as failing penetration eals, however quick and decisive action needs to be taken. If an immediate repair or replacement cannot take place, shields can be temporarily installed to stop any radiant heat.

Penetration seals are not the only victim, gas turbine exhaust joints that are leaking often burn up thermocouples. Unfortunately, failures are sometimes detected too late. Hot spots and leaking gas turbine exhaust joints are sometimes not noticed due to lagging that hides the various problematic areas. In cases like this, thermographic technology is vital. This piece of equipment forms part of an essential tool in your preventive maintenance toolbox.

OUR SOLUTION

The various failures that have been discussed are issues that every facility will experience at one time or another. These nagging issues do not have to handled alone but with the help of an experienced and trusted partner. With over 50 years of design, engineering and installation experience in the United States, EagleBurgmann Expansion Joints is ready and able to help you with preventive maintenance from the smallest to the largest expansion joints on site.

ABOVE IS THE CLASSIC CASE OF INTERNAL LINER PLATE AND INSULATION FAILURE, ALLOWING HOT GASES TO INCREASE THE PENETRATION SEAL FLANGE MATERIAL TEMPERATURE. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE HAS TAKEN PLACE, BOTH THE PENETRATION SEAL, LINER PLATE AND INTERNAL INSULATION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED

RADIANT HEAT INTERNALLY, MIGRATING OUTWARDS CAUSING THE EXPANSION JOINT TO FAIL

ANOTHER CASE OF INTERNAL LINER PLATE AND INSULATION FAILURE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ITEMS WRONG WITH THE EXPANSION JOINT IN QUESTION

THE OVEN THAT WAS REFERRED TO EARLIER, A FEW PENETRATION SEALS BOXED IN. VERY LITTLE AMBIENT AIRFLOW WITH LINER PLATE ISSUES

Let us help you!

Our products are used wherever safety and reliability count: in the industries of oil & gas, refineries, petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, power, water and many more. About 6,000 employees contribute their ideas, solutions and dedication every day to ensure that customers around the globe can rely on our products. EagleBurgmann emphasizes our strong customer orientation and offers customtailored services for every need. Rely on excellence.

Find out more about this product

Contact

EagleBurgmann Industries LP – Expansion Joints

432 Pecan Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Phone +1 918 258 6484

E-Mail: EJSales@eagleburgmann.com