Our expansion joint, flexible metal hose, metal bellows and spring and constant hanger solutions are ideal for every application in plant engineering and construction.
Our variable and targeted pipe bracket products are designed based on the two pipeline construction calculation programs Intergraph CAESAR II and Sigma Rohr2. Our specially adapted design tool FLEXPERTE has the required interfaces to transfer the product specifications directly into the planning and design as 3D CAD models.
Absolute safety and suitability for highly aggressive media are the main requirements to be met by the products and components made by Witzenmann for use in the chemical industry.
Witzenmann supplies flexible metal solutions for the entire process chain of LNG from exploration, liquefaction, to transport and re-gasification facilities.
Witzenmann supplies flexible metal solutions for the offshore industry:
Petrol, diesel, and light oil are generated through a catalytic cracking process. The reactor and the pipelines are operated permanently at 750 °C and 3.8 bar. Witzenmann manufactures expansion joints from special materials that can withstand these conditions for long periods of time. The structural values are thus secured and designed for long-term economical operation.
Where U-bend expansion joints are unfeasible for space reasons, expansion joints are used to absorb motion. They absorb heat expansion in the pipeline and compensate for small ground movements.
Over long distances the conveying pressure in the pipelines must be continually adapted or increased. This happens in so-called pressure-boosting stations. Anchored expansion joints are used here. Their job is to decouple the movements and forces in the pipeline from the turbines.
Material and engineering challenge in the high-temperature field
In order to protect an expansion joint from extreme temperatures, either a refractory lining is inserted inside (cold wall design) or high-temperature resistant materials such as Alloy 800H or Alloy 625 are used (hot wall design). For the refractory lining, hexmesh structures or stainless steel anchors are welded in and cast with special concrete and metal reinforcement if necessary. Insulated inner sleeves in the area of the metal bellows protect against the high medium temperatures.
Since concrete-lined universal expansion joints are very heavy, pantographs are used here as restraint hardware. They prevent the bellows from buckling due to the weight of the intermediate pipe. At the same time, the pantograph distributes the loads evenly over the bellows elements.
Witzenmann is one of the few companies approved to supply Catofin plants in the high temperature field. With intelligent engineering and patented solutions, we have achieved a technological lead in this field.
The 3-D CFD (computational fluid dynamics) calculation is used to calculate pressures, temperatures and flow velocities of moving media within fixed geometries. Here for an expansion joint with purged inner sleeves to calculate the temperature and flow distribution of the injected propane gas as barrier flow.
Use our FLEXPERTE tool to configure products, quickly and easily, to meet your individual requirements.
Details:
FLEXPERTE: The design program for the Witzenmann Group's entire product range with function-specific subdivisions
Drawing data, including complete 3D CAD drawings, is stored alongside the calculation formulae. With PDS and PDMS interfaces, the program is versatile and universally usable.
