High Pressure Expansion Joints Furnished for Repsol Petroleum Plant


Compressor outlet expansion joints for a plant in Tarragona, Spain were furnished with the latest features to insure safe operation. Hinged, gimbaled and tied expansion joints were furnished to operate in ethylene service at pressures up to 541 psig while maintaining low spring rates necessary to protect nearby rotating equipment.

The bellows were designed to be ply testable. This means the bellows were built with an extra ply of bellows material that would allow for safe operation in case the inner ply of bellows material failed due to corrosion. As an added convenience, the ply testable pressure taps were fitted with Pathway’s patented “red top early warning leak detector”. This device senses any build up in pressure between the plies that would indicate a failure of the inner ply. When pressure is sensed, a red post extends from the red top housing to warn maintenance people that the inner ply has failed.

The expansion joint can be safely operated until a repair can be made the next scheduled shut down. Ply testable bellows are recommended for any service that involves hazardous material or services where the loss of an expansion joint would cause large loss of revenue.

Senior Flexonics Pathwayalso provided on-site inspection of the expansion joints at the Tarragona, Spain facility to certify that the expansion joints were correctly installed. Senior Flexonics Pathwayhas the resources to offer experienced inspection services at all points around the world on short notice.

To inquire about high pressure expansion joints or inspection services, contact Senior Flexonics Pathway.