Possibilities of Improving the Vibration Isolation and Operational Properties of Pipeline Expansion Joints

Abstract

Pipeline expansion joints of various designs are used to compensate for thermal and force displacement of equipment and the pipelines themselves. Expansion joints should also ensure vibration isolation of equipment (compressor, pump, turbine, and the gas pressure reducing reducer at gas station distribution points) from the pipeline system, footings, and elements of the surrounding infrastructure and the environment in a wide frequency range from infrasound to a thousand or more Hertz at oil and gas pumping points, in thermal and nuclear power plants, and in transport energy systems. New expansion joints based on thin-layer rubber–metal elements are considered, having vibration isolation properties a hundred times better than those of serially produced expansion joints of various types in the frequency range of 30–1600 Hz. Physical models of vibration transmission through liquid expansion joints, including during the flow of the working medium, are analyzed, which when taken into account make it possible to obtain this improvement. Based on the conducted experiments and calculations, the possibilities of further improving the operational (increasing the strength and operating temperature, import substitution possibilities) and vibration isolation properties of expansion joints with thin-layer rubber–metal elements are discussed due to their design and changes in the formulations of rubber, adhesives, and reinforcement material.