Elaflex is securing Australia’s clean energy future with its specialised pipeline expansion joints.
The energy landscape in Australia is shifting. While the push to eliminate coal-fired power generation advances, the question of what should replace it is a nuanced one. Renewable energy sources at scale like solar, wind and hydro, are generally considered the front runners, but currently cannot on their own support Australia’s energy grid.
Meanwhile, exciting progress is being made in the renewable gas sector, like biomethane and green hydrogen, with new projects and grid trials on the go. Even nuclear power generation has been tabled at high levels as an option for long-term energy security.
As these emerging energy technologies establish themselves at a commercial scale, the government has solidified natural gas’s role as a crucial enabler of the energy transition through 2050, helping to fill any supply gaps between traditional energy sources and newer alternatives.
But technology aside, an effective energy transition will depend upon equally effective pipeline infrastructure.
And to that end, Elaflex stands ready to serve.
A specialist in safe connections for the transfer and handling of sensitive gases and fluids, this 100-year company has evolved from a humble bronze foundry in Germany to a global powerhouse in manufacturing and product development.
Elaflex enables major pipeline projects all over the world with its custom fabricated expansion joints. These expansion joints have the critical job of joining pipelines to infrastructure such as treatment plants and power facilities, while also eliminating damaging axial movement.
Additionally, these joints absorb tensions caused by temperature changes, equalise structural settling such as basement subsiding or ground movements, and reduce noise and vibrations.
Quality and capacity
With the help of its partner company, Ditec, Elaflex can supply bespoke expansion joints ranging from half an inch all the way up to five metres in diameter for a wide range of applications.
The companies have a large customer base in Europe, where their expansion joints are utilised in large scale energy projects such as gas transport, hydrogen electrolysers and nuclear power plants. And in Australia, Elaflex has been involved in the natural gas, LNG and water industries for many years.
“We have supplied expansion joints to water and energy projects all over the world – even in nuclear facilities, and that’s a very difficult certification to get,” Elaflex Pacific Sales Manager Mario Iglic told The Australian Pipeliner.
“When it comes to hydrogen, we have specially designed expansions joints that are suitable for use in electrolyser facilities – a few of which we have delivered in Europe.
“You can be sure that when you’re going to Elaflex and Ditec, you’re dealing with high quality and reliable equipment.”
For expansion joints up to 3m, Elaflex is able to supply directly from its own stock for the fastest turnaround time, while Ditec steps in for larger or custom orders.
Ditec is one of the few manufacturers in the world that can make expansion joints for round, rectangular and oval pipe for high pressure applications up to DN5000. The German manufacturer’s approach to its craft is extremely rigorous, with each joint handmade for complete control over quality and specifications.
“Even with this high degree of quality and customisation in manufacturing, lead times are extremely efficient considering that the product is coming from Germany,” Iglic said.
No matter the complexity of the project, Elaflex and Ditec have the expertise to deliver. As Australia’s energy grid advances towards the future, Elaflex expansion joints will play a key role in keeping the country’s most precious resources flowing.
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This feature also appears in the May edition of The Australian Pipeliner.