FAQ
Welcome to REPL Australia
REPL Australia specialises in the design, manufacture, of metal and non- metal expansion joints, and other static types of equipment such as Dampers, Silencers, Stacks and Tower Internals, designed to meet the requirements of refineries, petrochemical, oil and gas, LNG, PTA, Polypropylene, and other Industrial Plants.
What is pressure thrust force?
Similar to Hydraulic force in a pipe which is a product of Internal Pressure and the mean area of the line,
the Pressure thrust force is an equal force when you install an EJ in a pipe, and it is a product of the
Internal pressure mean area of the EJ. Therefore for EJ to work the line is anchored and guided
accurately. For an axial joint to operate, install the first guide at 4D on either side. The second guide
at 14D on either side of EJ and subsequent guides are provided on the technical catalog page
Technical Catalog.
How can you absorb the thermal Expansion of a pipe?
You can absorb thermal Expansion Axially, Laterally or Angularly or a combination of these types. We commonly use lateral and angular joints where the hardware of the EJ absorb the pressure thrust force.
What codes can Expansion joints be Designed for?
Expansion joint codes can be designed for, piping EJ, EJMA 10 latest Addendum, ASME 31.1 and 31.3
For Heat Exchangers ASME Section VIII Div. 1.
What are the various metallurgies for the bellows element?
The metallurgies for the bellows element is Nickel Alloys- Inconel 600, 601, 625 and 718, Incoloy 800, 800H, 800HT& 825, C22/C276 Alloy 400 Austenitic Stainless Steel – 304/304L/304H, 316/316L, 317L, 321/321H,347/347H and 316Ti Super Austenitic SS- 904L Heat Resistant- SS 310/310S, 253MA
Duplex SS – SAF 2205/2507
When do you require a sleeve in an Expansion Joint, and what is it used for?
You require a sleeve in an expansion joint to prevent resonance in the convolutions causing fatigue due to flow at the high velocity of the medium.
What is the standard delivery of Expansion Joint?
3 to 4 weeks standard delivery for catalog items and six weeks for non-standard joints. 1-2 days for refinery expansion joints ex-works. Repl Australia is always pleased to be able to work within your time frames.
Why should expansion joints be used as a last resort?
The expansion joint is the weakest link in the piping system. Hence it should be used as a last resort. A piping engineer must always employ natural pipe flexibility to solve thermal expansion problems or use pipe loops.
What is the difference between a braided hose and an expansion joint?
The braided hose is made up of a convoluted tube with standard thicknesses and braided on the outside. A braided hose is suitable to absorb lateral movement for smaller diameters. A hose cannot absorb axial movement. It can be used as a loop to take up the Expansion of pipe. It has limitations to pressure and temperature due to standard material and thickness. On the other hand, we design an
expansion joint to suit a particular application. There is no limit to pressure or temperature, or
movement.
What is the difference between a single and universal expansion joint?
A single joint has one set of convolutions between the flanges or weld ends. A universal joint has
two or more sets of convolutions with a center spool in the middle.
Can expansion joints be used to absorb movements in all three planes?
Yes, EJ expansion joints can absorb movement in all three planes using a combination of different configurations. Repl Australia can assist in the configurations of EJ expansion joints.
Can an Expansion joint be used as a Dismantling Joint?
A tied Expansion joint is equal to a Dismantling joint.
What is the difference between Inline and Pressure balanced expansion joints?
Inline pressure balanced EJ is used only to take up Expansion in one plane without transferring force
to the pipework. For example, a pressure-balanced expansion joint absorbs movements in two planes using an elbow.
What is an externally pressurised joint, and what is its application?
The pressure of the medium is applied externally to the convolution instead of internally.
Externally pressure joints used on long LNG lines, long underground pipes, or long pneumatic railway
signaling lines
Can an Expansion Joint be used under a vacuum?
Expansion joints are suitable to be used under a vacuum. The convolution profile is similar both from the inside and the outside. Hence, if the joint design is for one bar internal pressure, it is also suitable for 1 bar external or full vacuum.
What is the difference between Metal, Rubber, Fabric, and Teflon EJ?
The application determines the selection. Bellows convolution uses different metallurgies and
thicknesses and profiles to withstand higher pressures. A Rubber joint has a limitation of
temperature however ideal for resilience to vibration. However, a Fabric joint is like a metal
expansion joint but is limited to 35 Kpa pressure. Like Rubber, the PTFE expansion joint limitation is
temperature. PTFE joint finds its application when the medium is very corrosive and when
vibration is present. For aggressive caustic applications at high pressure, a PTFE Lined Metal EJ is
ideal. Rep Australia can provide advice on the best method to determine that selection.
When is a non-metal EJ preferred to a Metal EJ?
A non-metal fabric joint is preferred when pressure is less than 35Kpa and space is restricted or if
the shape is rectangular.
When is a Stainless-Steel braided hose preferred to metal EJ?
Repl Australia prefers a SS braided hose to a metal expansion joint when the diameter is small and vibration present, for example, on pump suction and discharge.
Why can't we use pipe loops instead of EJ?
It is economical to use EJ above 300 nb other than pipe loops. EJ is also preferred when the space is limited to install pipe loops.
What is a Teflon-lined metal EJ?
We manufacture Teflon-lined metal joints using a unique process. The metal housing helps to
withstand higher pressure, and all wetted parts are exposed only to PTFE.
What is the Heat Exchanger metal EJ and what code is it designed to?
A heat exchanger metal joint is mainly used on fixed tube type Heat Exchangers to take up the
differential expansion between the tube bundle and the shell. The convolutions geometry can be an
omega profile for very high pressure, a U shape profile for medium pressure, and a reinforced U
shape profile for moderately high pressure. The design code used is ASME VIII Section 1 and EJMA
for the Omega profile.
What is a hot wall and cold wall Expansion joint and floating hardware?
In a hot wall design, the end connection and hardware are subject to full design temperatures. In
contrast, the joint is refractory lined or insulated in cold wall expansion joints. Floating hardware
applies to hot wall EJ design; the hardware is not welded directly on weld ends. Instead, it is
attached using supports that allow radial growth of the hot weld ends.
What Industries do we Serve?
Repl Australia serves a vast number of industries not limited to :
-
Oil Refineries
-
Petrochemical Plants
-
Nickel, Zinc, Alumina Refineries
-
Pigment Plants
-
Steel and Cement Plants
-
Chemical Plants
-
Water Treatment Plants
-
Paper and Pulp Plants
-
Starch Plants
and many more. Contact us to see if we can collaborate.
What is Repl Australia's main area of expertise?
Repl Australia's main areas of expertise are Metal Expansion Bellows, Circular and Rectangular, Fabric Expansion Joints, Rubber Expansion Joints, Teflon Expansion Joints, Dampers and Silencers, Strainers and Tower Internals. All are manufactured using the highest quality materials and assembled with the most advanced techniques available. REPL Australia specialises in the design and manufacture of metal and non-metal expansion joints, and other static types of equipment such as Dampers, Silencers, Stacks, and Tower Internals. All are designed to meet the requirements of refineries, petrochemical, oil and gas, LNG, PTA, Polypropylene, and other Industrial Plants. Details are at https://sites.google.com/view/metalexpansionjoint/home
What does Repl Australia do?
REPL Australia specialises in the design and manufacture of metal and non-metal expansion joints, and other static types of equipment such as Dampers, Silencers, Stacks, and Tower Internals, designed to meet the requirements of refineries, petrochemical, oil and gas, LNG, PTA, Polypropylene, and other Industrial Plants.
Do you have technical data to view and download?
Feel free to download our Technical Data or contact us for additional information.
Metal Bellows Technical Catalogue. Downloads are here.
Refinery FCCU Bellows. Downloads are here.
Dampers Stack and Fabric Expansion Joints. Downloads are here.