HKS-Gummikompensator; G 00XX / 130 / 016 / HKS-GS

Common issues

• Rubber bellows cracking or perishing from UV, ozone, or heat exposure over time
• Delamination of the rubber-fabric plies leading to bulging or weeping under pressure
• Loss of pre-set movement capability, transferring pipe strain onto adjacent flanges
• Flange bolt loosening from vibration, causing seepage at the joint face
• Chemical attack/swelling if exposed to a media the compensator is not rated for
• Internal liner erosion in high-flow seawater applications

Inspection checklist

• Visually inspect the rubber bellows for cracking, bulging, or surface perishing around its full circumference
• Check flange bolts for correct, even torque and uniform compression of the rubber face
• Verify pipe alignment is not imposing axial/lateral movement beyond the compensator's rated range
• Check for weeping or staining at the flange faces indicating early seal failure
• Confirm the DNV MED type-approval marking/certificate is legible and matches the installed pressure/temperature rating
• Inspect any tie rods (if fitted) for corrosion and correct restraint function

Service intervals

Critical spares

• Complete replacement compensator of the same DN size, pressure/temperature rating, and DNV MED-approved type (HKS-GS series) - do not substitute an unapproved equivalent in a class-relevant system
• Matching flange gasket set for the compensator's connecting flanges
• Correctly rated fasteners (bolts/nuts) for the flange joint, since reused corroded fasteners are a common cause of uneven bellows compression

Safety

• A sudden bellows failure under pressure can release hot water, exhaust gas, or process fluid - depressurise and isolate the line before close inspection or removal
• Over-compression or over-extension beyond the rated movement can cause premature failure and unexpected loss of containment
• If fitted in an exhaust gas system, failure can release hot gas/soot into the machinery space - treat as a fire and burn hazard

Class survey

As a DNV MED type-approved component (certificate MEDB0000BT1), this item is subject to approval-status and installation-conformity checks at survey rather than an internal inspection of the rubber itself. Class verifies that the fitted compensator's certificate matches the piping system's design pressure, temperature, and medium, and that it has not been substituted with an unapproved equivalent.

Estimated lifetime: Rubber pipe compensators of this type are normally stated in years rather than running hours - commonly around 5-10 years of service life is expected before renewal, subject to visible condition. Always check HKS's own data sheet for the type-approved service life rather than assuming a generic figure.