How to clean steel expansion joints

Metal expansion joints are the commonly seen pipe fitting, mainly used to compensate pipeline displacement caused by thermal expansion, widely used in all walks of life. The service life of metal expansion joints is effected by various factors, regular inspection and maintenance helps to lower the damage. Besides, during the manufacturing, storage and installation process of steel expansion joints, it will generate rust, welding slag, oil anti-rust agent, dust and sand on the surface, these impurity will greatly affect the normal use of steel expansion joints, thus, proper cleaning and maintaining also benefits to lengthen the service life of a steel expansion joints. We introduces you the cleaning methods for steel expansion joints.

Metal Expansion Joints

1.Chemical cleaning. Use chemical agent to clean the steel expansion joints. Apply temporary pipeline and cycle pump station to chemical clean the steel expansion joints from two sides. Chemical cleaning has the advantages of good flexibility, no requirement for steel expansion joints shape, fast speed, etc..

2.PIG cleaning. It relies on pump to drive fluid to actuate PIG move forward within the pipe, and eliminate the dirt inside the pipeline. PIG cleaning method is widely used in all kinds of process pipe, oil field transportation pipeline cleaning, especially long-distance pipeline cleaning.

3.High pressure water cleaning. Use high pressure water jet above 50Mpa to clean the pipe. It suits for short-distance pipeline, and pipe diameter should more than 500mm. It has advantages of fast speed and low cost.

Henan Lanphan is the leading manufacturer in metal expansion joints industry, we have almost 30-year’s production and selling experience on expansion joints, except for metal expansion joints, our products includes rubber expansion joints, metal flexible hose, metal bellows, fabric expansion joints, rubber check valves, rubber products, etc.. All of those sells good all around the world. If you have any question regards to the pipe expansion joints, please contact us immediately.

Problem Summary of Flexible Metal Hose in Different Industries

With the continuously development of our foreign trade business, the inquiry and order of flexible metal hose are increasing. According to the forecasting by foreign trade salesmen from Lanphan, the application market of flexible metal hose is getting larger and larger. Except for the transportation of all kinds of fluid which is familiar to people, such as water, oils and medicine, the application quotient in machinery industry is increasing. Combine the customer feedback and experiences from Lanphan technicians, we sum up the easily occurred problem of flexible metal hose in different industries.

Flexible Metal Hose

Damage of Steel Wire Net Cover

1. Pitting corrosion and stress corrosion damage the steel wire net cover and make the flexible metal hose lose efficacy. A company’s flexible metal hose on coastal heat supply pipeline system has burst during the production operation. It caused 10t’s oil leakage to inland river and seriously polluted the environment.

2. CI etching damage the steel wire net cover and cause efficacy losing. For example, a burst has been occurred in flexible metal hose which connect to air compressor near the piping side on a boat, and it result in a totally breaking between the flexible metal hose’s steel wire net cover and joint.

Flexible Metal Hose’s Material does not meet the requirement

Because the selected material for flexible metal hose does not meet the requirements of operating environment, it aggravates corrosion of the pipeline and leads to piping breaking. For instance, the leakage of flexible metal bellows hose on assistant nozzles in continuous catalytic reforming unit’s heating furnace in an oil refinery’s aromatic hydrocarbon workshop is caused by this factor.

Low Strength of Flexible Metal Hose

The low strength on hose’s fixed support and outer steel mesh can cause the flexible metal hose which near the water pump exit have the problem of outer net damage, liner local distortion and dislocation in soft section during the operation.

Improper Pipeline Support Setting

Improper pipeline support setting makes the whole pipeline system lateral displacement, and it cause efficacy losing of flexible metal hose been stretched. For instance, the flexible metal hose we installed before oil tank in and out the oil pipeline valve often lose efficacy for distortion because of this problem.

Why Your Flexible Hoses Can Fail?

Flexible hoses are essential in the smooth operation of many industrial applications, transporting liquid or gas efficiently to create a quality final product. Be it food processing, chemical, power generation or marine and offshore, your industrial hose set up is integral to your productivity. Unfortunately, even industrial hoses don’t last forever and when a failure occurs, it has the potential to cost a lot time and money in down time. In fact, there are a number of reasons why your flexible hoses might fail, making it ever more important to have them checked regularly.

flexible hoses

Abrasion

The constant use and rough treatment of flexible hoses can lead to the pulling, crushing and scratching that can reduce its strength over time and cause failure. It is hugely advisable to look for indications of past abrasion that could have significantly weakened the hose. Any signs of damage should result in the immediate replacement of the industrial hose.

Extreme Temperatures

High operating temperatures and severe pressure fluctuations will over time cause problems to your industrial hoses. To help prevent this, you must where possible protect the hydraulic hose from exposure to temperatures that are not within its operating range. Sometimes specialist equipment is required, such as heat shields – as well as the ongoing checking up on hose quality and functionality.

Significant Fluctuation in Pressure

Extremes in temperatures and pressure fluctuations can cause huge problems to industrial hoses, thus ensuring that your operations are running at pressures that they are designed for is incredibly important.

Bending

The bending of industrial hoses will have different effects on different model types. Some flexible hoses are designed to withstand a certain level of bend and twist, while others are most certainly not. Acknowledging if your application will put any of these types of pressure on the industrial hose is important. Avoid bending the flexible hose wherever possible to ensure a longer lifespan.

Age

Over time, rubber hardens, causing your flexible hose to split and be more prone to damage. The more you use your industrial hoses, the sooner this process is likely to start happening particularly with fluctuations in pressure and temperature.

Incorrect Storage

The failure to appropriately store your industrial hoses is a large reason for premature failure when it comes to industrial hoses. Proper storage of flexible hoses will also ensure that you are more efficient in the storage of the working environment. Industrial hoses are incredibly important members of your operations, so treating them with large consideration and acknowledgment is essential, leading to a happy hoses and a happy organization.