What types of compensators can be used in gas pipelines

What types of compensators can be used in gas pipelines
Currently widely used as bellows compensators in gas pipeline compensation, they can also be applied to pipeline systems for steam, hot water, oxygen, nitrogen or other non-corrosive media. In order to reduce the thermal stress of the pipeline, compensators are generally installed between the pipelines, or the bending of the pipeline itself is used to compensate automatically. In the configuration of piping, priority should be given to the natural compensation of piping bending. This self-compensation using the change of the length of the pipe itself is a good way. When the natural compensation cannot meet the requirements, the compensator can be installed.
 
There are many types of corrugated compensators for gas, mainly the following:
 
(1) Axial corrugated compensator. It is composed of corrugated elements and two connecting pipes (or flanges) can be connected with adjacent pipes and equipment flexible parts, mainly for straight pipe section compensation axial displacement. The compensator is installed between two fixed brackets with one end near the fixed bracket. Compensator can not suppress the pressure thrust of the pipe, by the compensator on both sides of the fixed pipe bracket to bear.
 
(2) Rod type corrugated compensator. It consists of two identical corrugated elements, two connecting pipes (or flanges) that can be connected to adjacent pipes and equipment, an intermediate pipe and a set of flexible parts that can withstand pressure and thrust. Try horizontal displacement. The compensator can suppress the pressure thrust of the pipeline, and the fixed pipe frame does not need to consider the pressure thrust of the pipeline.
 
(3) Free composite corrugated compensator. It is a flexible part consisting of two identical corrugated elements, two connecting pipes (or flanges) that can be connected with adjacent pipes and equipment, and an intermediate part. It is mainly used to compensate axial displacement and transverse displacement in straight pipe sections.
 
The advantage of the bellows compensator is that it adopts the advanced one-time hydraulic forming process as a whole, which does not damage the bellows. The product has the characteristics of high dimensional accuracy, long service life, reliable performance, compact structure, large compensation capacity, long fatigue life, high pressure-bearing capacity and wide range of material applicability. In engineering applications, it is characterized by simple piping and maintenance-free. It is resistant to high temperature and strong resistance to stress corrosion. But it also has disadvantages that are not easy to solve: such as axial corrugated compensator on the fixed bracket pressure thrust, resulting in fixed bracket thrust, resulting in high cost; in addition, the corrugated compensator wall is thin, can not withstand torsion, vibration, poor safety; equipment there are a series of disadvantages such as large investment, strict design requirements, high construction and installation accuracy, often do not reach the expected life.