2400 Longhorn Industrial Drive, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 Ph: (830)629-8080 Fax: (830)629-6899 email: [email protected] Copyright © 2001 Senior Flexonics Pathway. NEWS RELEASE The lines connecting the reactors on the ABB Lummus Crest Catofin unit used in MTBE production operate at 12000 to 13000 F. These lines vary from 18" to 84" diam- eter and are externally insulated, insuring that the pipe wall operates at close to the media temperature. The close proximity of the reactors and the large line sizes requires the use of dozens of expansion joints on a typi- cal Catofin unit to handle thermal growth of the piping and reactors. Vibrations caused by changing process conditions in the lines add intensity to the harsh operat- ing environment. The expansion joints at the Super Octanos MTBE facil- ity in Venezuela were built by a respected European manufacturer u sing conventional hot wall design prin- ciples. The expansion joints had single ply reinforced bellows designed to operate at the media temperature. This meant that the bellows would be operating at tem- peratures where creep strength was the limitation on design. After experiencing several bellows failures, the Super Octanos facility purchased an upgraded design for 2-36" slotted hinged expansion joints, 1-36" gimbal and 2-18" gimbal expansion joints. The detail design specification was provided by Refinery Technology, Inc., a Houston based engineering consultant that was hired by Super Octanos to review the piping design of the Catofin unit. The final design approved by RTI included many features that have been promoted by Senior Flexonics Pathwayfor high temperature expansion joints in recent years. The replacement expansion joints were designed with internally insulated bellows to insure that the bellows would operate below 8000 F There is little information on fatigue characteristics of bellows operating in the creep range (above 8000 F). Keeping the bellows operating temperature below 8000 F insured that the bellows would have a cycle life that could be accurately predicted by industry design standards. SENIOR FLEXONICS PATHWAY BUILDS IMPROVED DESIGN NR 49 MTBE EXPANSION JOINTS FOR SUPER OCTANOS 2-36” slotted hinge expansion joints with hydrostatic test plates in place. Expansion joints will be installed as a matched pair with a long center spool between them to handle a large lateral offset and several inches of axial movement. 36” gimbal expansion joint designed for 42 psig at 1300 deg. F. Bellows are internally insulated to recude the bellows operating temperature.