The Style 204 family of spool-type expansion joints are manufactured with the industry standard narrow arch design. This style is intended to be used in dynamic conditions where both pressure and vacuum concerns are present.

Features & Benefits of Style 204 Expansion Joints

  • Fully laboratory and field tested for long life and exceptional reliability
  • High pressure and vacuum resistance offer increased safety and ensure suitability for a wide range of applications
  • Single and multi-arch designs are available for a range of movement capabilities
  • Concentric and eccentric reducing configurations can be provided to join piping of unequal diameters
  • Available in a variety of elastomers and fabric combinations to meet the varied demands of temperature, pressure, and media

INDUSTRY

Chemical Processing - Abrasive application


OBSERVATION OF ISSUE(S)

A stainless hosing was used and would continuously fail due to abrasion on the leading edge of the hose. The hosing would last for 3 to 6 months before replacement.


COMPANY BACKGROUND

This chemical plant based in Southern United States produces fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts, cocatalysts and additives used by petroleum refineries to convert crude oil into gasoline, other transportation fuels, heating oil and petrochemical feed stocks. Kaolin based microsphere intermediaries are used to manufacture the FCC catalysts and co-catalysts.

OPERATING CONDITIONS

1. Size: 4” x 10.5” 204 ABRA-LINE™ Expansion Joints


2. Temperature: 140°F


3. Application: Transfer piping


4. Media: Zeolite based catalysts (42% total solids), pH 13


5. Flow: 200 Grams per minute

SOLUTION AND BENEFITS TO STYLE 204

The 204 ABRA-LINE™ was chosen as the best solution, and has now been in service for over 2 years yielding more than 4x the service life of the stainless steel hosing.

PROPOSITION VALUE

Garlock Expansion Joints offer superior performance, reliability and service life. This results in an improvement in plant safety, an increase in the mechanical integrity of equipment and allows customers to gain a competitive advantage in the market place.

The original content for this case study can be found on Garlock's website here.

For more information about expansion joints, or if you are interested in this product, contact Gallagher Fluid Seals today.