Under high temperature conditions, tandem flange will expand due to the increase in temperature. If effective compensation measures are not taken, it may lead to problems such as stress concentration in the pipeline system, sealing failure, and even pipeline damage.
First, expansion joints can be used to compensate for thermal expansion. Expansion joints have good expansion and deformation capabilities and can absorb the axial, lateral or angular displacement of tandem flanges caused by thermal expansion. For example, metal corrugated expansion joints use the elastic deformation of bellows to adapt to the thermal expansion and contraction of pipelines. In high-temperature pipeline systems, the appropriate expansion joint specifications and quantity are determined according to calculations, and installed between tandem flanges or in appropriate pipeline locations, which can effectively relieve the stress caused by thermal expansion. However, it should be noted that the material of the expansion joint must be able to withstand high temperature environments, and it should be regularly checked for corrosion, cracking, etc. to ensure its normal operation.
Secondly, a reasonable design of the connection structure of the tandem flange can also play a certain role in thermal expansion compensation. For example, the loose flange connection method allows a certain relative displacement between the flange and the pipeline at high temperatures. By reserving appropriate gaps or using special sliding structures, the pipeline can be freely expanded and contracted during thermal expansion, reducing the extrusion and shear force on the sealing surface of the tandem flange. This method is relatively simple and low-cost, but it requires high design and installation accuracy. It is necessary to ensure that the pipe and flange always maintain a good fit within the normal working temperature range, which does not affect the thermal expansion compensation and ensures the sealing performance.
In addition, the use of high-temperature resistant flexible sealing materials is also a measure. Some special graphite or ceramic fiber sealing materials can not only maintain good sealing performance at high temperatures, but also have certain elasticity and deformation capabilities. When the tandem flange produces a small displacement due to thermal expansion, the sealing material can deform accordingly, fill the sealing gap, and prevent medium leakage. However, the selection of such materials should take into account a variety of working conditions such as temperature, pressure, and medium corrosiveness, and the sealing installation should be carried out according to the correct installation method to give full play to its dual role of thermal expansion compensation and sealing.
The thermal expansion compensation of tandem flange under high temperature conditions requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Only by adopting appropriate expansion joints, optimizing the connection structure design, and selecting high-temperature resistant flexible sealing materials can the safe and stable operation of tandem flange in high temperature environments be ensured, and the normal operation of the entire pipeline system can be guaranteed.
