pipe expansion loop
pipe expansion loop
(OP)
Mechanical engineers use expansion loops to take care of thermal expansion on long pipe runs. Are expansion loops required if pipes are free to expand or contract? Is it because the pipe penetrate fire walls and need be fixed at the penetration? Or is it the building design has expansion joints and pipes need to be fixed at wall penetration?





RE: pipe expansion loop
If the piping run is not fixed anywhere along it's length, there does not need to be an expansion loop in the run. I think, however, that you would be hard pressed to find a piping run that is NOT fixed somewhere. This includes not only the ends of the run, but any taps or laterals that are connected to the run.
RE: pipe expansion loop
RE: pipe expansion loop
You usually find expansion loops in piping that cover long distances and are on open ground such as the Alaska pipe line .. In buildings you would normally see expansion joints because as jw81 said, you lack the room for large expansion loops.
RE: pipe expansion loop
You state: "Mechanical engineers use expansion loops to take care of thermal expansion on long pipe runs".......This statement is not quite complete.
A more accurate statement would be: "Mechanical engineers use expansion loops to take care of thermal expansion STRESS LEVELS and COMPLY WUTH THE PIPING DESIGN CODES on long pipe runs"
Remember, all of the piping design codes currently in effect require the piping engineer to consider thermal expansion stress levels in his design. Hot piping systems that are "thermally bound" have failed, causing loss of property and lives.
Hot piping systems are also designed to utilize mechanical expansion joints to mitigate the effects of thermal expansion.
Suggest that you spend some time with a book such as "Piping Handbook" by Nayaar, where all of this is expained in much more detail....
My opinion only
MJC
"There comes a time in the affairs of man when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation." W.C. Fields
RE: pipe expansion loop
Expansion loops (or expansion joints or other means) are required because pipes are never "free" to expand or contract. Each loop should be limited to about 12" of movement.
Call a consultant.
RE: pipe expansion loop
RE: pipe expansion loop