Constant spring supports are vital for large vessels and piping that move due to thermal expansion. When standard parts don’t fit into the available space or fail to hold the weight, our custom engineered pipe supports step in. We stabilize heavy loads to stop them from damaging your critical equipment.
What is a Constant Spring Support?
A constant spring support exerts a uniform supporting force on a pipe or vessel throughout its vertical travel. Unlike variable springs, the load remains the same even as the pipe moves up or down. These supports are essential for:
- Supporting Massive Loads: Handling weights that exceed 100,000 pounds.
- Accommodating Load/High Travel combination: Managing movement of 4 to 6.5 inches due to thermal expansion coupled with 104,000 to 143,000 lbs of load.
- preventing Stress Transfer: Ensuring no extra weight is transferred to the piping or vessel walls during operation.
Piping Technology & Products manufactures constant supports to exact needs. We use durable materials and custom designs. Whether you need a standard PT&P 200 F-Type or a heavy-duty 200 C-Type, we build supports that fit your specific load, travel, and space limits.
Case Study: Custom Supports for the Dangote Refinery
For the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria—the world’s largest single-train refinery—Piping Technology and Products supplied custom constant supports. This facility processes 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day and requires substantial infrastructure.
The Challenge: The customer needed supports for huge vessels. The loads were extreme (up to 143,000 pounds), and the space was tight. Standard catalog items could not handle the weight or fit in the narrow gaps,.
The Solution: Our engineering team created three unique designs to solve these problems:
- Side-by-Side F-Types: We paired two supports to lift 104,000 pounds with 6.5 inches of travel. This used a custom, heavy-duty linkage.
- Stacked Assemblies: For narrow spaces, we placed supports on top of each other. This design accommodated 110,000 pounds of load with 4 inches of travel.
- High-Capacity C-Types: We built single-can supports capable of holding 143,000 pounds, a feat few competitors can match.
The Result: We delivered 200 F-Type and 200 C-Type supports. They fit perfectly and accommodated thermal expansion, keeping the refinery’s vessels safe.
Designed for Refinery Demands
In the oil and gas sector, safety and uptime are key. Piping systems and vessels face harsh conditions:
- High Heat: Metal expands when hot. Supports must move with it.
- High Loads: Equipment is massive. Supports must not fail under the load.
- Space Limitations: Refineries are crowded. Supports must fit in limited space.
