Products

Expansion Joints for Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCU)

Refractory Lined & Unlined Expansion Joints for Fluid Catalytic Cracking

On-site services

We help you get them properly installed.
In any refining facility the FCCU Expansion Joints are critical units that require a high level of expertise during installation and maintenance to ensure that the refining process is not disrupted and optimal production can be achieved.

MACOGA offers its customers in the oil and gas, refinery and petrochemical industries a complete field service package.

We provide a professional variety of site services including assembly, supervision of installation and inspection that minimize risks of unplanned shut- downs and help to avoid failures and breakdowns.

Assembly of the expansions joints

Our site team is trained and consists of qualified welders, technicians and engineers who worked in plants and refineries worldwide. Thanks to our many years of experience in manufacturing and installing FCCU Expansion Joints we know what matters.

A site-specific erection plan is developed during one or more pre-construction conferences and site inspections involving the customer, the contractor, and others such as the project engineer.

MACOGA manages all aspects of site work for the Expansion Joints supplied. From initial delivery
of the equipment to site, installation to agreed standards, and final commissioning, MACOGA will manage the project.

Assembly supervision

Qualified and trained engineers are available for guidance and instruction during assembly and/or erection process (by others) of our Expansion Joints. We offer pre-instruction and guidance for starting assembly and periodical inspections that guarantee the correct procedures are being carried out and unquestionably a Final Inspection after completion the assembly and/or erection works.
Additional services available include Nondestructive Examination.

FCCU expansions joints on-site inspection service

Whether your operations follow predictive maintenance or corrective maintenance procedures, detecting early signs of Expansion Joint fatigue or failure can save you on costly repairs and extend your asset lifecycle for optimal refining operations.

Why FCCU Expansion Joints On-Site Inspection?

The life of the expansion joints varies with the design, storage conditions, installation practices, application, and service.

Appropriately timed inspections, repairs, and/or replacement of critical joints will ensure the reliable operation of the associated equipment and of the whole refinery.

Premature or unexpected failure of the expansion joints and emergencies can be avoided carrying on-site scheduled inspections. On-site Inspections will provide valuable information about the conditions of the Expansion Joints and will allow the refinery to take appropriate actions in due time.

What is Site Inspection?

Site visits typically include in-depth analysis and visual review of the Expansion Joints (in hot and cold conditions) identified by the customer. Our staff will collect any monitoring data and operating schedules available from the facility to aid in the analysis.
We collect equipment specifications and operating information on specific forms and checklists.
Using checklists ensures that the engineers collect consistent and critical information. In addition, we take photographs of the Expansion Joints, equipment, and controls for accurate documentation while on site.

What are the key benefits?

MACOGA can offer on-site inspection of FCC Expansion Joints well in advance your next planned outage, during the beginning stages of a turnaround to aid in planning and expediting the turnaround, during installation of new Expansion Joints, during start-up and periodical inspections.

After every site inspection, MACOGA will issue a report that will assist plant personnel in understanding the types and functions of expansion joints, operation and failure mechanisms of expansion joints, condition monitoring and troubleshooting techniques. Maintenance, repair, and replacement issues are also discussed.

This document will assist plant personnel in determining if new expansion joints or revamping are required, the design features of new or replacement expansion joints as well as provide guidance in the handling, storage, installation, and inspection of these types of joints in the refinery.

MACOGA on-site staff can provide you:

  • Installation guidance for new FCCU Expansion Joints
  • Inspection in cold conditions (plant shutdown)
  • Inspection in hot conditions (plant in operation)
  • Periodical Inspections
  • Maintenance and refurbishment
  • Problem resolution
  • Immediate response to site inspections needs
  • Quick-turn expansion joint replacement during shutdowns and turnarounds

Clamshell bellows

A clamshell bellows is a temporary repair solution for damaged expansion joints.

MACOGA Clamshell bellows is a good option where an existing expansion joint is to be repaired without cutting or opening the pipe.

Clamshell bellows is a two-piece bellow which is welded around the existing unit.The bellows is split in half longitudinally in our works. The halves are match-marked to ensure the bellows halves are aligned correctly. The clamshell is fitted accurately in position. A purge gas is set up to minimize oxidizing of the weld to ensure a good quality weld. The clamshell halves are then welded back together.

MACOGA provides skilled clamshell bellows welders to perform this welds at site. Field welds are 100 % dye penetrant tested by our qualified staff.

Your next FCCU turnaround or plant outage can benefit from the revealing information that MACOGA On-Site staff can provide. MACOGA offers a unique means to evaluate your FCCU Expansion Joints condition and equipment reliability.

Our technicians are experienced, knowledgeable engineers who have worked throughout the world in innumerable refineries.

 

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