The selection of pipeline compensators needs to comprehensively consider the actual working conditions and design requirements. First of all, the medium characteristics of the pipeline system should be clarified, including factors such as temperature, pressure and corrosiveness. Under high temperature and high pressure conditions, bellows compensators made of high temperature resistant alloys should be preferred. If the medium is highly corrosive, Hastelloy or fluorine-lined products should be selected to ensure corrosion resistance.
For the displacement direction of the pipeline, ordinary bellows compensators can be used for axial displacement, and hinged or universal compensation structures are required for lateral displacement or complex displacement combinations. At the same time, the thermal expansion amount needs to be accurately calculated to ensure that the rated compensation amount of the compensator covers the displacement requirements.
Installation space constraints are an important consideration. When the pipeline layout space is narrow, sleeve-type pipeline compensators have the advantage of axial compactness, while compound tie rod products should be used in large compensation scenarios. In terms of vibration control, pipeline compensators with damping devices can effectively suppress mechanical vibrations caused by fluid pulsation. In long-distance pipeline systems, fixed brackets need to be reasonably set according to the direction of the pipeline system, and stress balanced distribution is achieved through segmented compensation.
Economic efficiency and maintenance costs should not be ignored. Although the initial cost of metal pipe compensators is high, they have a long life cycle. Non-metallic pipe compensators are suitable for environments with low to medium temperatures and weak corrosion. When selecting, it is necessary to review the flange standard and the matching degree of the pipeline. The setting of the pre-stretching amount must be accurately calculated according to the installation temperature, and strictly follow the product installation specifications to ensure the compensation efficiency and system safety. It is recommended to perform stress verification through finite element analysis for complex working conditions, and adopt a combination of multiple types of compensators when necessary.
