Compensators for polypropylene pipes: purpose, characteristics and installation methods

Engineering communications today are amenable to self-assembly by professional and self-taught masters. On sale for this you can find the necessary components, which are installed on the principle of the designer. If you know their technical purpose, then such work can be easily accomplished, taking into account the requirements. In this regard, we can talk about compensators for polypropylene pipes to understand what they are for, how they are installed and what characteristics they possess.

Assignment of expansion joints in the polypropylene pipe system

Increasingly, polypropylene pipes are used today for the installation of water pipes. With their help, it is possible to organize a hot water supply system in those places where the temperature of the coolant is not more than 90 ° C at a pressure of no higher than 10 atmospheres. Polypropylene products have many advantages. They are resistant to aggressive chemicals, have low weight, and also have high strength.

Manufacturers argue that such pipes serve for 50 years, without requiring repair and replacement. Piping the pipeline, experts note that such pipes are not bent, but for the formation of turns using fittings. With their help, there is an opportunity to change the trajectory of the highway. Using special soldering soldering irons, masters perform welding seams using the same fittings. They can have a metal fused thread, which allows you to connect the metal elements to the trunk.

Polypropylene products have one drawback, which is expressed in the fact that their coefficient of linear expansion is high enough, it increases when the temperature rises. Over time, the pipes begin to lengthen and sag, so in places where it is necessary to assemble the main line at 10 m and more, expansion joints for polypropylene pipes are used.

Important to remember

These elements are connecting structures that have a flexible shape and look like a wrapped loop in appearance. This part performs an important role: it compensates for expansion when the temperature inside the pipeline system rises or water pressure increases. Conventional expansion joints for polypropylene pipes are of low cost, and their simple design makes it easy to install devices into the pipeline system. This ensures the reliability of the system and extends the service life.

Characteristics of different types of expansion joints

On sale today you can find compensators of different types, but they are all designed for use in a water pipe system made of polypropylene pipes. For example, bellows axial elements, which are produced under the CSR and ARF marks, are installed differently, but the latter can be easier to install, because they have fastening guiding assemblies. They perform the function of fixed supports, so it is easier to install them.

Another type is shear expansion joints, which are used to compensate for movement in two areas with respect to the central axis. The structure can have one or two corrugations, which are made of stainless steel and are fastened by connecting fittings. The next version is rotary elements, which are intended to eliminate expansion in the areas of pipeline rotation. The elements fix the angle. Used PCB elements where there is a need to change the direction of the highway at right angles.

Universal products have three degrees of travel, namely:

• Axial;
• Transverse;
• Angular.

Most often such elements are used where it is required to assemble a small trunk or there are restrictions on the use of bellows expansion joints. Compensators for polypropylene pipes can also be rubber flanged, they are used where it is necessary to extinguish the shock wave, which is formed by increasing internal pressure. Use rubber bellows elements to compensate for the inaccuracy of the axis of the pipeline system.

Methods of installing expansion joints

To date, there are two types of fastening expansion joints, namely flanged and welded. The latest technology involves fixing the element tightly. The ends of the compensator and the tubes are welded. To ensure tightness of the seam, you should always make sure that the diameters of the two elements coincide, as well as the internal section, as well as the thickness of the walls. Using these parameters, simply perform the calculation and select the appropriate bellows element.

Compensators for polypropylene pipes can be installed on a flange method, which involves mounting not to the pipe, but to the counter flange. This method provides a detachable connection. When an emergency occurs, this allows you to replace the technical nodes.

For reference

When the PP-pipes are mounted with compensators by the flange method, it is rather difficult to carry out these operations. Therefore, this fastening is only available to specialists.

Mounting recommendations

When a bellows polypropylene expansion joint is installed, it is important that the master be familiar with the mounting features. It is necessary to install such an element on a straight section. Before installation, it is necessary to calculate the linear expansion and select a certain type of device. Before commencing work, it must be ensured that the characteristics of the pipes and expansion joints used are in accordance. They should be mentioned in the pipeline design.

Before fixing, you need to make sure that the technical unit is undamaged. If the model turns out to be defective, then its use should be discarded. When installing PP pipes with bellows expansion joints, only one similar element can be mounted between fixed fasteners. Before welding experts advise to wrap the knot with an asbestos cloth. This will prevent metal spatter from entering the surface when performing welding operations.

Additionally about the appointment

A loop-shaped compensator for polypropylene pipes is used in certain areas. It is installed on hot and cold water supply systems, as well as on heating pipelines for buildings of different purposes. This includes commercial establishments, residential apartments and industrial premises. In this connection, it can be argued that these details are universal.

Specifications and cost of the compensator Kozlova

Compensator Kozlova is the development of the technical director of Alterplast. These devices, as a rule, are used to compensate for thermal expansion, when polypropylene products are used for pipeline laying . They may be unreinforced or reinforced. These products can be used in water supply and heating systems. This design is suitable for pipes with diameters ranging from 20 to 63 mm.

It is possible to connect by means of suitable couplings. Such universal expansion joints allow efficient removal of temperature and linear expansion, as well as exclude deformation of the pipeline, while protecting it from destructive destruction. The product has a unique design that takes up much less space and can not spoil the appearance. If we talk about the maximum possible compressive capacity for compression, then for 20 mm polypropylene pipes this figure is equal to DN25, when a 25 mm product is used, the figure is increased to DN32. The operating pressure is 16 atmospheres, the maximum possible operating temperature reaches 100 ° C.

Conclusion

Classification of compensators was presented above, however, however, their use is necessary when laying polypropylene pipes. These nodes can be installed on vertical and horizontal pipelines, which allows to extend the life of the system. Mount the element can be on a flat area between the fixed supports. However, on sale, you can find special elements that eliminate and extinguish the linear expansion of the pipes at the angular bends.