The Pipe Support Blog

Piping Technology & Products, Inc. Performed Field Services for a Power Generating Plant in Texas

PT&P was contracted to assist in the determination of pipe support maintenance at a power plant in Texas. The constant effort support springs with loads of excess of 9,500 lbs and the variable spring supports with loads of 450 lbs were marked for needing attention.

Cleaning Variable Spring Unit

Inspecting Variable Springs for Performance

PT&P's objectives were to:

* Evaluate the pipe supports
* Determine state of performance
* Provide a plan of action
* Train personnel on-site to perform adjustments and replacement of supports or support components
* Provide final inspection of modified supports

After Cleaning & Preparation of the Constant

Final Assembly with Added Slide Plates

The pipe supports needing attention could not be set to the required installation position. A plan was initiated to recondition some of the support components such as turnbuckles and rods. This would allow a greater range of field adjustment to the pipe supports. During a planned shut-down, PT&P Field Service Units returned to the site to modify the existing supports. The initial phase of the modifications included bracing the piping in order to isolate and lock the supports in position. Then, they were disconnected from the system and modifications to the assemblies were completed. Afterwards, the supports were reinstalled and any necessary adjustments were completed. A total of eight pipe supports were modified or adjusted.

Roller Bearing Needing Maintenance

Restored Roller Bearing

 

Do you see a need for a routine inspection of your plant? Contact us for a quote today!

Upthrust 200-U Type Constants for an Oil Refinery

The upthrust constants (PTP Fig. 200-U) were fabricated from A36 carbon steel. Weighing at 4,150 lbs each, they measure 94” long, 27” wide, and 43” tall. They support loads from 90,700 lbs to 93,000 lbs with 4” of vertical travel. In addition, they are custom designed with extra supporting points for heavier loads. They are used to support the piping system from beneath the pipeline. Upthrust constants only allow for vertical travel and are used where horizontal travel is unacceptable. Standard load and travel testing was completed to assure quality and performance.

Do you require u-type constants in your plant or refinery? Let us price them for you now!

Pre-Insulated Cryogenic Supports with PTFE, 25% Glass Filled, Slide Plates

Measuring Overall Length of the Support

Fifty Pre-Insulated Cryogenic Supports with PTFE, 25% Glass Filled, Slide Plates were manufactured for a 36” stainless steel piping system. The steel portion of the Cryogenic Supports is fabricated from ASTMA 240 Grade 304L stainless steel. The insulation used for the Slide Plate is Micarta, capable of supporting temperatures as low as -300°F. Each Pre-Insulated Cryogenic Support is 72” in length and weighs 2,000 lbs. It is designed to support the pipeline and accommodate 45” of axial travel at each support. They are used as Cryogenic Pipe Supports for a piping system that crosses a 1,000 foot suspension bridge.

Want to learn more about pre-insulated pipe supports? View a past webinar today!

Hydraulic Snubber Extension Rod Ends

The hydraulic snubber extension rod ends(seen above) were manufactured from carbon steel. Ranging in sizes 1 , 4, 5, and 6, the weight of each increase with size, therefore; the weight of each unit varies. Extension rod ends are used in conjunction with hydraulic snubbers to extend the overall length of an existing snubber. They are applied to piping systems when unrestrained thermal movement must be allowed but must also be restrained during impulsive or cyclic disturbance. The turn around time for these units was 3 weeks.

Want to learn more about snubbers? View one of our past snubber webinars today!

3 Wedge Action Mechanical Joint Pipe Supports for a Suspension Bridge

Three wedge action mechanical joint restraints made of ductile iron materials were utilized to assist in the construction of a suspension bridge. Also, these mechanical joints provide for vertical and axial restraint for the bridge. Each weighs approximately 300 lb. and measures 24” long by 16” wide, and 12” tall for a 6”, 10”, and 12” ductile iron pipe. They are capable of supporting 50,000 lb. In addition, they are designed for seismic conditions with the ability for 7” of axial travel.

Do you require similar supports as those described above? Get pricing today!

 

3 Cold Shoes for a LNG Plant in California

These cold shoes are made of polyurethane for cryogenic pipe lines at a liquid nitrogen gas plant. They measure between 8” to 16” in diameter, 30” long with 4” of insulation. These cold shoes provide insulation in the support area where the regular pipe insulation (foam glass) is not sufficient to support the load.

Want to learn more about cold shoes? View a past cold shoe webinar today!

These Figure PTP100-A size 40 and 51 constant supports, made of A36 carbon steel, are used to support pipeline systems. Each is 24" long, 10 1/2" wide, and 51 1/2" high. These constants are capable of supporting loads ranging from 1,165 lb. to 2,260 lb. with a travel range of 13" to 14 1/2". PT&P specifically designed and fabricated each constant for specific dimensions provided by the customer. Standard load and travel testing was completed for quality assurance.

Do you require constants in your plant or refinery? Let us price them for you today!

2 Sway Strut Hangers for a Power Generating Station

Sway struts are used to restrain movement of piping in one direction while providing for movement due to thermal expansion or contraction in another direction. These sway struts are made of ASTM A387 GR22 weighing at 1,485 lbs each. They are 6" in diameter and 8'2" long and are used for main steam valve supports with specifically designed spacers, pins, and retainers capable of restraining movement up to 90,000 lbs at high temperatures exceeding 750F. The turnaround time for this was 6 weeks.

 

 

Do you see a need for sway struts in your current application? Get pricing today!

Roller Stands for a Company that Manufactures "Fired Heaters"

Load Testing Rollers

Roller stands are used to support pipelines that expand and contract longitudinally in the axial direction and where vertical adjustment is not necessary. These roller stands are made of stainless steel and designed for a 26" pipe. They weigh 160 lbs and are capable of supporting 7,500 lbs. Load testing at 1,000F was completed for performance assurance.

Do you require roller stands like those described above? Get pricing today!

Constant Hanger Supports for a Power Recovery Plant

Constant support hangers are used to support pipes subjected to vertical movement. The (Fig. PTP 200) constants are designed to support loads from 4,000 lbs to 57,000 lbs. Each weighs approximately 1,500 lbs to 2500 lbs and has a travel of up to 4" with an adjustable travel stop. Their sizes range from 15 to 100.

The advantage of an adjustable travel stop is that the constant is able to "lock in" at any position within the range of travel for a given constant. This alleviates the need for a total "shut down" of the piping system for temporary conditions such as hydrotesting, repair, or replacement.

Want to learn more about constants? Instantly view a past constant webinar today!