Relieving Loads On The Turbines

4 DN 250 specially designed corner relief expansion joints were installed in a geothermal power plant in Kenya. This power plant is the largest of its kind in Africa and its state-of-the-art design ensures a highly efficient utilisation of steam. The expansion joints were installed in this steam system near the steam turbines.

Corner relief expansion joints were selected as the optimal solution for this project. Turbines in general do not withstand loads. Turbines often operate under high pressure and in high temperature conditions resulting in high pressure thrust forces being transmitted to the connection ends of the turbine. By installing a pressure balanced expansion joint like a corner relief expansion joint the loads acting on the turbine and its connecting pieces (flanges and welding ends) can be relieved with the loads then being maintained at an acceptably low level.

Reference: opengreendoors.blogspot.com