ECONOMIZER EXPANSION JOINT
Turn-Key Service – Fabrication, Scaffolding and Installation
Executive Summary
An expansion joint in an Power Plant Economizer inlet duct rated at
750 degree F was in need of replacement. This duct was located up
over 70 ft up in the air and safe access was required. The plan was
to remove and replace the fabric belt and damaged flow liner
shield. Helfrich Brothers was able to supply all 3 services under one
turnkey contract.
Engineer & Fabrication
The new fabric expansion joint was designed & fabricated out of HB -500 series material attached to fiberglass reinforced cloth over high temperature insulation in our 95,000 SF facility in Lawrence, MA.
Plant Services – Scaffolding
Plant Services erected a scaffold of a platform to safely access the expansion joint on all 4 sides for removal and replacement, and also removed and replaced lagging and insulation that surrounded the expansion joint.
Field Service – Remove & Installation
Field Service group removed existing fabric joint, and replaced it with a new high temperature insulation pillow and
the fabric expansion joints fabricated in our shop. A partial
metal flow liner was replaced in worn out area.
The project occurred during a normal spring outage in
2021.
THE RESULTS
Expansion joint replacement can be simple and cost
effective if you can provide all the services needed to
get the job done:
- Engineering
- Fabrication
- Scaffolding
- Lagging & Insulation Support
- Removal and installation.
“Having Helfrich Brothers coordinate and manage the entire project made this a success.”