To further clarify:
So, here is a similar system
First, I am a structural engineer, responsible for the foundation system for various sites around the world for this system with various modifications, and am trying to confirm the loads from the boiler receiver/reflector support structure and loads from the boiler tubes and receiver enclosure.
As a structural engineer with 30+ years of experience, I have always seen limits of approximately 400 feet for steel pipe rack structures, ductwork structures, and buildings between expansion joints.
I am willing and able to design foundations for a longer structure without expansion joints but then base rollers or sliding joints for the support interface in the reciever at the top would be required.
There are 2 sets of boiler tubes. Within each set, 3 to 4 small tubes go north and then joinat the north end and return in a single larger dia tube. Steam temp: < 700 degress F design. Steam pressure: < 1220 psig. Feed water pressure:< 1800 psig
There is a single anchor at the center, with appropriately placed rollers spaced out from the center.
So what should the boiler tubes be designed for under the ASME Pressure Vessel Code in addition to pressure and temprature? Especialy since the code is a minimum.
1. There is the extreme length of tube (1800' at present - 2500' maximum future) that is being pushed during expansion and pulled during contraction. This has to influence the secondary stresses to a greater extent that what the ASME PVC intended. Any thoughts or references?
2. Should there be expansion joints/loops?Any thoughts or references?
3. What about upset conditions? Water hammers? Condensate laying in tubes resulting in non uniform tube loads? (i.e. loading of adjacent pipe spans due to deflected shapes; loading of alternate pipe spans due to defelcted shapes?) Lifting of tubes off rollers? (Should these have u-bolt to minimize unwanted movement?
4. Any other comments, thoughts, and/or references would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sullypape