Specific Applications

Expansion Joints for Power Generation Plants

A complete range of Expansion Joints for Power Plants

MACOGA is the global leader in design and manufacturing of Expansion Joints for Power Generating Plants.

Our Expansion Joints are used by major EPC companies in the power sector, plant engineering contractors, power producers and plant owners, manufacturers of turbines and boilers for power generation across the globe.

Anywhere in the plant where thermal expansion or vibrations must be absorbed, it is necessary to install an Expansion Joint.

There are a large variety of Expansion Joints to suit all services and conditions in Power Plants: different uses, different fluids (liquid, gas, combustible, corrosive, etc.) different materials and different pressure and temperature conditions.

MACOGA provides high-performance Metal and Rubber Expansion Joints in the following power plant sections and applications:

  • Cooling water lines
  • Low-pressure steam systems
  • Condensate systems
  • Feed water systems
  • Steam boilers
  • Condensers
  • Steam systems
  • Hot gas & steam areas
  • Boiler penetration seals expansion joints
  • Boiler exhaust ducts
  • Hot air ducts
  • Steam and Gas Turbines
  • Turbines to Condenser (dog bone and metal expansion joints)
  • Etc.

Natural gas plants, coal-fired plants, hydroelectric plants, solar facilities, geothermal, etc. require Expansion Joints that perform under technically challenging conditions.

MACOGA Expansion Joints are widely used in all types of power plants ensuring the safety and optimal operation of the plant.

Fossil-fuel power stations

Fossil fuel power stations provide most of the electrical energy used in the world.
Fossil fuel power plants burn a fossil fuel, such as coal, oil or natural gas, to create heat which is used to generate steam to drive turbines which generate electricity.

Depending on the fuel used, fossil fuel plants can be classified as follows:

  • Coal-fired power station
  • Gas-fired power plant
  • Diesel-fired power plants

With thousands of units installed and operating successfully in power plants around the world, MACOGA Expansion Joints are the benchmark in the power generation industry.

Hydroelectric power plants

Hydroelectric power plants generate electricity by storing water in vast reservoirs behind dams. Water from the reservoirs flows through turbines to generate electricity.

We are specialists in expansion joints for hydroelectric power plants, where large diameter and high pressure units are often required, both in the main water pipes and in the connections of the turbines and other industrial equipment of the plant.

Geothermal power plants

Geothermal power generation harnesses the thermal energy from the Earth's magma to create steam that drives the turbine and generator to produce power.

Geothermal power plants use high-temperature hydrothermal resources from dry steam or hot water wells. These resources are developed by drilling wells into the ground and driving the steam or hot water to the surface. The hot water or steam drives a turbine that generates electricity.

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable and sustainable energy source because the heat extraction is negligible compared to the heat content of the Earth.

We have a large experience helping customers to select the right Expansion Joints for every specific service.

MACOGA specializes in the design and manufacture of high-performance Expansion Joints for geothermal power plants.

Solar power plants

Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics, indirectly using concentrated solar power, or a combination.

Concentrating Solar Power plants use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam to concentrate the sun's energy to drive traditional steam turbines or engines that create electricity. The thermal energy concentrated plant can be stored and used to produce electricity when it is needed, day or night.

Solar thermal energy is a renewable technology with storage capacity, capable of providing electricity to the grid when it is demanded even in hours without sunlight.

With many years of worldwide experience in supplying the power generation sector, MACOGA specializes in the design and manufacture of expansion joints for solar power plants.

Power generation

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) and Biomass-to-Energy (BtE)

Biomass is a fuel made from organic materials from plants and animals and is a renewable energy source used to create electricity or other forms of energy.

The term biomass covers a wide variety of materials, such as wood from various sources (wood and wood processing wastes, wood pellets, wood chips, scrap lumber, forest debris, etc.), agricultural crops and waste materials, animal and human waste, etc.

Biomass can be converted into electricity by various methods. Direct combustion is the most common method for converting biomass to useful energy. All biomass can be burned directly for heating buildings and water, for industrial process heat, and for generating electricity in steam turbines.

Waste-to-Energy (WtE)

The biodegradable parts of municipal and industrial waste are considered biomass, thus a renewable energy source. The energy output from Waste-to-Energy plants is about 50% renewable.

A Waste-to-Energy (or energy-from-waste) is considered a biomass fuelled power plant and transforms municipal and industrial solid waste into electricity and/or steam for industrial processing and hot water for district heating/cooling systems.

WtE plants burn household and similar waste that could not be prevented or recycled.

The energy plant burns waste at high temperatures and uses the heat to make steam. The steam then drives a turbine that creates electricity.

MACOGA provides Expansion Joints and services that have been specifically developed to respond to the need of WtE and biomass sectors and we have a complete range of Expansion Joints for these power applications.

Power generation

Nuclear power plants

Nuclear power plants are a type of power plant that uses the process of nuclear fission to generate electricity.

Like any other thermal power plant, the heat is used to produce steam that drives a steam turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity.

MACOGA engineers and manufactures a wide range of Expansion Joints to deal with the most difficult and demanding applications in the nuclear power generation industry.

We fulfil the most severe demands on product quality and quality assurance required by nuclear industry, and we provide custom-engineered solutions for any critical application.

Expansion Joints for Air Cooled Condensers (ACC)

Water scarcity in the world forces power plants to use air-cooled condensers.

An air cooled condenser does not require cooling water. It is a direct dry cooling system where steam is condensed inside air-cooled finned tubes. The steam from the turbine runs into the air cooled condenser where condensation happens. It is a close circuit and condensate returns to the boiler.

Many new thermal power plants like combined cycle, concentrated solar, coal, biomass, and waste to energy use air cooled condensers.

Air cooled condensers require several Expansion Joints to operate.

Turbine to Condenser Expansion Joints

The Expansion Joint between the turbine and the condenser has to absorb the relative expansion and contraction between the turbine and the condenser without causing undesirable effects on the turbine which could lead to misalignment and deformation that would prevent the proper operation of the steam turbine.

It is critical unit as the stresses and loads generated in the system must not be transmitted to the turbine and in many cases must be taken by the expansion joint itself.

The Expansion Joints generally used for this application are:

  • Rubber Dog Bone
  • Round Metal Pressure Balance In-Line and Elbow (MPB-I and MPB-E Series)
  • Round Single and Universal (MWA, MWD and MFA, MFD Series)
  • Double Hinged (MWY & MFY Series)
  • Rectangular single (MRU) and Universal (MRUD)
  • Rectangular Metal Pressure Balance In-Line and Elbow (MPB-I and MPB-E Series)
Expansion Joints at steam Risers and Headers

Steam risers install Universal Tied or a pair of Gimbal or Hinged Expansion Joints.
The horizontal steam headers that go perpendicular to the risers are usually fitted with a Single Hinged or in some cases a Single Gimbal.

We are the world's largest manufacturer of Expansion Joints for Air Cooled Condensers.

With thousands of large size expansion joints supplied, installed in ACCs and in perfect operation for many years in countless countries all over the world, we have achieved an unrivalled expertise in this type of expansion joints for the energy sector.

Power generation
Power generation

Certifications & Type Approvals

MACOGA Expansion Joints are certified by the world’s leading classification authorities.

From design to final tests and shipping, all production phases are regulated in accordance with the requirements of the MACOGA’s Quality, Health, Safety and Environment management system.
MACOGA has type approved Expansion Joints available certified with:

We provide our customers safety and reliability through a certified quality management system.
Additionally, MACOGA holds numerous industry approvals, including:

Quality Certificates

Member of EJMA

Premium Service

During an emergency (parts failure, etc.) you can’t afford to wait in line for a standard delivery to get your Expansion Joints.

This Premium tool is the most reliable and efficient solution for those customers who require Expansion Joints in a record time.

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On-Site Services

MACOGA Site Staff of expert technicians provide needs-based and solution-oriented services for any specific need of each customer.

Our service group consists of highly qualified technicians and engineers specialized in Expansion Joints.

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