Sliding ladder for steam pipes

In our series “Components of a steam boiler plant and their function”, we have already presented various components to you in detail. Today we would like to introduce an extension ladder. This does not belong directly to the steam boiler plant, it is used in pipeline construction. Strictly speaking, sliding ladders are used for the assembly of pipes where temperature-related linear expansion can occur. This is the case with steam pipes, for example. Assuming that the saturated steam flows through the steam line at a pressure of 10 bar, it has a temperature of approximately 180° C. At a room temperature of approx. 20° C, this results in a temperature difference of 160° C. The temperature difference causes the pipeline to expand (thermal linear expansion). To prevent damage to the steam pipe, the clamps for fastening the steam pipe are screwed onto the sliding ladders. The sliding ladder allows horizontal movement and thus absorbs the expansion of the steam pipe. Which extension ladders are used and where they are placed depends on various factors. The exact calculations and the exact design of the steam pipeline are done by our project managers, because pipeline construction is something for certified professionals!

You can find more information about pipeline construction at Hagelschuer here.