Ply-Testable Pressure Balanced X-Press II

LNG Expansion Joints

As part of the expansion of offshore LNG loading facilities, Senior Flexonics Pathway received an order form the consortium of P.T. Intl Karya Persada Tehnik and Chiyoda Corporation for twenty-one pressure balanced ‘X-Press 11’ expansion joints for the Pertamina Bontang LNG Expansion Project. All three bellows elements in each expansion joint were ‘plytestable’ and equipped with Senior Flexonics Pathway’s patented ‘RedTop” leak detectors.

Pressure balanced expansion joints were utilized in order to reduce the pressure thrust forces applied to the piping anchors. Very low spring forces and long axial movements were provided by the ‘X-Press II’s” externally pressurized design, as well as lateral and angular movement capability required to accommodate the cryogenic bending of the piping Mich occurs during startup of the system due to different temperatures at the top and bottom of the pipe.

To meet the critical construction schedule of IKPT/ Chlyoda, twenty-one 26' diameter stainless steel expansion joints were fabricated, inspected and tested in just 60 days. The extensive quality and Inspection requirements included impact testing of welds and base materials and ferrite control of all stainless steel welds as well as performance testing and spring rate verification for each unit.

Senior Flexonics Pathway has had extensive experience in the design and fabrication of both standard and pressured balanced ‘X-Press 11’ expansion joints for LNG applications, including a large number of standard `X-Press 11' expansion joints for earlier phases of the Pertamina Bontang LNG Complex in the late 1980’s.

For more information, contact Senior Flexonics Pathway.