Hi everybody, My name is Mukhtar and I am currently working as Field Piping Mechanical Engineer in far north of Russia. On site we Have issue with thermal expansion would like to ask for your advice.
We have 8†Production and 4†Test Manifolds/Header with length of 160 m.(roughly).Half of it was previously installed and worked okay. But recently We have extended it- added second half.( roughly 80 m). In the middle of manifold there is thermal expansion loop ( on existing part) .Anchor support was also considered and designed. But for some reasons construction guys did not install pipe stops to new part of pipework. And Now we have expansion issue. Expansion at the end of manifold/pipe rack is 25 mm ..
Both of headers are thermal insulated and operation temperature as per design is + 35 deg. C. Ambient temperature in now is -23 ( minus) degree C. ( start up was week ago and we had different temp. from -10 to -32 therefore considering -23 as middle temp). In summer +20 degree.
So my question is – Is there any way to prevent Thermal expansion? Company who did stress calculation did not consider additional Thermal Loop, and construction were missed to install Anchor support and to add this support need to shut down all system which is not acceptable by operations.
We can’t touch pipes . Therefore need to find something else.
Looking forward for your response
Thank you .
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