Expansion loop for Steam Line
Expansion loop for Steam Line
(OP)
I am installing a 4" steam line and I want to add an expansion loop as opposed to a bellows and I need to know the lengths of the legs in the loop. The pipe is sch 80 A106. Operating pressure is 112 psia, temp is 336F.
I don't have Ceaser so I need to figure this out by hand.
Any book suggestions? Is it in B31.3 ?
Thanks
StoneCold
I don't have Ceaser so I need to figure this out by hand.
Any book suggestions? Is it in B31.3 ?
Thanks
StoneCold





RE: Expansion loop for Steam Line
Use the Guided Cantilever beam equations to determine the length of straight pipe required to absorb the thermal growth for a given allowable stress. Then set the width of the loop to 1/5 of the length and the height equal to twice the width.
The Piping Handbook, Anvil's Pipe Hanger Design and Engineering and the ASHRAE handbooks all have sections about sizing U-Bends.
Regards,
Chris
RE: Expansion loop for Steam Line
As a fellow chemical engineer I would recommend that you leave this to the mechanical fellows. There is more to it than just looking up a few formulas and applying them. And there are legal issues too.
But if you want to brush up on the background there are some good articles available at
http://www.pipestress.com/Pages/PEpapers.html
and in particular you may find
http://www.pipestress.com/papers/QuickFlex.pdf helpful.
regards
katmar
RE: Expansion loop for Steam Line
RE: Expansion loop for Steam Line
RE: Expansion loop for Steam Line
Sorry I took so long to reply I have been on "vacation" visiting my inlaws.
The run is about 200ft.
Thanks
StoneCold