3. Use of compensators

We'll be looking at the use of expansion joints and articulated systems to compensate for expansion in pipelines. In the following, expansion is defined as the displacement of one end of the line, assumed to be free. This displacement does not take into account any compensator-specific provisions that modify the expansion components.

The use of compensators eliminates the need to search for extended line routes, making for a very compact installation, which also reduces the amount of expansion to be compensated. This dual effect reduces both investment costs (including civil engineering) and operating costs (reduced heat loss and pressure drop). In order to carry out a rational installation study, it is therefore essential to select the compensation method and the different types of compensator to be used at the preliminary design stage. To this end, the installer...