Blog Category: ENGINEERED SPRING SUPPORTS | Piping Technology & Products, Inc.

Variable Springs with Clevis Hangers for an Ethylene Cracker Plant

January 31, 2023

Type:	Variable Spring Supports with Clevis Hangers
Material:	A36 Carbon Steel \| 304 Stainless Steel
Design:	800°F \| 619 lb. Ld. \| 0.5″ Up Travel
Testing:	Load and Travel Tests

Piping Technology & Products designed these B-Type variable spring supports with clevis hangers for an ethylene cracker plant in Texas. Interestingly enough, we recently supplied over 50,000 supports to one of the largest ethane cracker polymer plants in the US, which was completed last year. In addition to variables, we supplied slide bearing plates, hot and cold insulated shoes/supports, snubbers/sway braces/sway struts, pipe hanger hardware, expansion joints metal bellows, rectangular & circular spacers, davit arms, welded pipe shoes, rod hanger assembly, and wear Pads

On this client order, the variable spring supports, threaded rods, and hex nuts were fabricated from A36 carbon steel, and the clevis hangers from 304 stainless steel. The assemblies are 83-1/8″ in length, and the spring size is 6-80-B. They are designed for an operating temperature of 800°F, an operating load of 619 lb, and 0.5″ of movement. Standard load and travel tests were performed prior to shipment.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 06052018

B Type & C Type Constants for an Oil Refinery in Louisiana

January 3, 2023

Type:	B-Type & C-Type Constant Spring Supports
Size:	12″ x 18″ x 20″ to 12″ x 12″ x 32″
Material:	A36 Carbon Steel \| Hot-dipped Galvanized
Design:	Operating Load Range: 475 lb. to 1,250 lb. Movement of 2-1/4″ to 5″
Testing:	Q.C. Inspection \| Load and Travel Tests

PT&P fabricated multiple B-Type and C-Type constant spring supports for an oil refinery in Louisiana. The constants are fabricated from A36 carbon steel and hot-dipped galvanized. The dimensions range from 12” x 18” x 20” to 12” x 12” x 32”. The operating load range is 475 lb. to 1,250 lb. with movement of 2-1/4” to 5”. Standard load testing was completed to ensure quality and performance.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 05042020

Furnace Applications – Spring Supports, Expansion Joints & Furnace Seal Bags

December 6, 2022

Ptp Furnace Application Products

An industrial furnace, also known as a direct heater or a direct-fired heater, is a device used to provide heat for an industrial process. Furnace designs vary as to their function, heating duty, type of fuel, and method of introducing combustion air. Heat is generated by an industrial furnace by mixing fuel with air or oxygen, or from electrical energy. The residual heat will exit the furnace as flue gas. Types of industrial furnaces include batch ovens, vacuum furnaces, and solar furnaces. Industrial furnaces are used in applications such as chemical reactions, cremation, oil refining, glasswork, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemicals, ceramic, and building materials. Industrial furnaces using fossil fuels are characterized by heat losses from flue gases with a temperature of 500°C and above.

PT&P supplies many products that are well-suited for furnace applications. The first category we’ll take a look at is Engineered Spring Supports. We size furnace springs the same way as we would for a conventional variable or constant spring support. Construction may include a welded design instead of bolted and custom nameplates with the test data and ID tag. Most furnace spring supports are coated with red oxide primer to avoid potential hazards when exposed to high temperatures.

Ptp Furnace Application Variables In Service Combined

PT&P specially designed and fabricated hundreds of altered Type A Variable Spring Hangers in order to accommodate the special travel and spring rate needed to support the furnace tubes of a hydrogen reformer in Venezuela. In order to accommodate customer-specified travel and spring rate, modified spring coils were required. With a travel of 8-7/8″, the variable spring hanger casing lengths were increased from the standard size of 32″ to over 6′ long. The calculated spring rate is 79 lb/sq in for an operating load of 2,804 lb. and an installed load of 3,505 lb. The housings are coated with heat-resistant paint, which protects the spring coils from corrosion and high temperatures in the furnace area.

Expansion Joints are not installed inside furnaces due to the extremely high temperatures of the environment and the piping system. Expansion joints will typically be found on the duct work and in the piping coming in and out of the furnace. In the last six months, we have shipped over 40% of our expansion joint jobs in less than 2 weeks to meet customer project deliverables.
Fabric Expansion Joint Application

Fabric Expansion Joints that are in-service near furnaces, typically include a 3-layer belt consisting of Silicone, Fiberglass, PTFE, and Mineral Wool Insulation. The configurations are either round, rectangular or square as seen in the examples below.

Ptp Furnace Application Products

Furnace Bags are used to seal high-temperature tubes that penetrate the furnace floor. The furnace bag consists of multiple layers of flexible, flame and heat resistant, impervious fabric designed to operate from start-up to high-temperature design conditions. The bag will expand and contract with the varying furnace temperatures.

Furnace Bag

Stainless steel clamps or band straps connect one end of the pipe that goes through the penetration opening and the other to another sleeve in the furnace floor. A tapered steel coil is installed around the conduit inside the bag to prevent the fabric from collapsing inward during vacuum conditions. PT&P’s standard furnace seal bag is nickel reinforced, with a special coating that reduces airborne fibers and increases tensile strength.

Furnace Application Diagram

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 11092021

Constant Spring Supports with Stainless Steel & Graphite Slide Plates

November 13, 2022

Type:	Constant Spring Supports
Size:	35-7/16″ Height & 75-3/4″ Length
Material:	A36 Carbon Steel with HDG \| 304 Stainless Steel
Design:	9″ Total Travel at 979°F \| Operating Load 6,183 lb.
Testing:	Hydro tested at 6,744 lb.

These 200 U-Type constant spring supports with slide plates were designed by PT&P for a plant in Texas. They are fabricated from A36 carbon steel with an HDG finish and are typically designed for vertical movement only. However, when there is lateral or axial movement in the piping system, slide plates can be used in conjunction with these constants. In this instance, graphite slide plates are bolted to the constant’s load flange and used with an upper slide plate manufactured from 304 stainless steel with a mirror finish. The upper slide plate can be welded to the base of a pipe shoe, trunnion, or the saddle of a pressure vessel. Each of the constant spring dimensions are 35-7/16″ in height and 75-3/4″ in length. They are designed for a piping system with 9″ of total travel at 979°F and an operating load of 6,183 lb. Each of these units were load tested to meet the hydro test load of 6,744 lb. before shipment.

Products such as these are used in many different kinds of plants all over the world including refineries, renewable diesel plants, chemical plants for operations such as propane/propylene splitter units, and power plants. We have the ability to custom design and manufacture constants for specific loads and various environmental conditions. A point to note, we provided similar constant spring supports supporting loads over 150,000 lb. for crude oil processing at one of the largest refineries in the world just last year (view this project). Petroleum refineries change crude oil into products such as jet fuel, gasoline, polypropylene, polyethylene, propane, sulfur, carbon black feed, and diesel that can be used for transportation, heating, feedstocks for making other chemicals, generating electricity, renewable energy, and paving roads. Constants use a spring coil (or series of coils) to accommodate pipe movement from the initial (installed) condition to the final (operating) condition of the piping system. For all constant spring supports there is no difference in load and the supported load will remain uniform throughout the deflection cycle. Learn more about constant spring supports

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 01122018

B-Type Variable Spring Hangers for an overseas LNG Facility

November 1, 2022

Type:	B-Type Variable Spring Support Assemblies
Size:	13″ to 120″ range pipe elevation
Design:	Operating Loads: 9,320 lb. to 28,2000 lb. Spring Rates 4,700 lb./in. & 5,320 lb./in
Material:	\| Hot-dipped Galvanized Carbon Steel
Testing:	Load & Travel Test \| Q.C. Inspection

These variables were supplied to an overseas LNG facility where accessibility is limited due to the remote location in the facility as well as the plant itself. Products shipped must be very dependable and long-lasting because of the difficulty of shipping to this location. Variables use coiled springs to support a load and allow movement. The resistance of the coil to a load change during compression, which is why these devices are called “variables”. We offer a variety of different designs of variable spring pipe supports. PT&P with its long-standing history and experience has set up optimized manufacturing to offer an unparalleled set of customization options with minimal impact on delivery timeframes to support JIT deliveries and help manage cash flows on such large capital-intensive projects. In addition to our standard (hot-dipped galvanized, neoprene coated spring coils) variable spring supports, we can customize our springs to accommodate special materials, finish, dimension, load, load adjustment, travel, and travel stops, as well as provide sensors for remote monitoring.

Given the shift in global LNG production due to volatile political situations outside the US, the US has become the largest exporter of LNG this year globally. US LNG exports will continue to grow because of increased LNG export capacity, increased international natural gas and LNG prices, and increased global demand, especially in Europe.

During the initial build out in LNG globally in the late 1990s/early 2000s, PTP provided the platform to its customers and their clients for extensive innovation concerning all phases of development concerning pipe supports for LNG plants and terminals starting with product design, testing, material, and climate considerations. As the “thought leaders” in product design, we helped develop and produce the now most commonly used cryogenic supports utilizing G-10 insulation. As LNG capital projects return to the US, you can count on PTP to provide an unparalleled track record and expertise to move your LNG projects along safely in a timely cost-effective manner to meet world energy needs.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 04072020

Constant Spring Supports for Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG)

October 4, 2022

PT&P custom-designed constant spring support assemblies for a heat recovery steam generator at a combined-cycle power plant. These power plants utilize gas turbines, steam turbines, heat exchangers along with other components to make use of “exhaust waste” for a more efficient system. These 200-F Type constants were fabricated from A36 carbon steel and include a hot-dipped galvanized finish. The spring coils are formed from alloy steel and are neoprene coated. They are designed for an operating load of up to 886 lb., and up to 6″ of maximum travel. They are designed to be placed beneath the unit being supported and allow for movement in the vertical direction (up or down). The dimensions are 13″ W x 31″ L x 18-1/2″ H. Standard load and travel tests along with a quality control inspection were conducted prior to shipment. Since the mid-1970s, we have been working with power plants and have deep expertise in the evolution of power plant design over the last 40+ years, including the impact that it has had on Pipe Stress Engineering requirements. We have supplied products and services for a wide variety of power plants including Coal, Natural Gas, Biomass, Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Nuclear, and Hydroelectric. As the only major Global Provider of Expansion Joints, Engineered Pipe Supports, and Pipe Stress Engineering, we have the ability to provide unique solutions and solve the most challenging scenarios that may arise.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 01062021

Custom Designed Constant Spring Supports for a Chemical Plant in Singapore

August 23, 2022

Type:	Constant Spring Supports
Size:	15-¼” W x 17″ H x 46″ L with 9-¼” OD
Material:	Carbon Steel \| Hot-dipped Galvanized
Design:	2,379 lb. Load \| 10″ Upward Movement

PT&P custom designed and manufactured constant spring supports for a chemical plant in Singapore. The constants are fabricated from A36 carbon steel and include alloy coil springs. The dimensions are 15-¼” W x 17″ H x 46″ L with 9-¼” OD. They were designed for an operating load of 2,379 lb. and movement of 10” upward and were specially designed to incorporate “telescoping spring coil housings ” and painted to protect against corrosion. Standard load and travel tests were performed prior to shipment. As part of the standard quality control process, we test every constant that we build before it is shipped. We are ISO-9001:2015 Certified by DNV GL. Last year we built over 1500 constants alone for our customers. Some were designed to support loads up to 150,000lbs with movements over 48 inches.

These specific constants were for a plant that manufactures industrial gasses such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and synthesis gasses. Constant spring assemblies are used in a variety of applications ranging from CDU (crude distillation units), hydrocracking units, RFCC (residual fluid catalytic cracking), naphtha hydrotreater and hydrodesulfurization units (also known as alkylation units), and sulphuric acid regeneration (SAR) units in refineries, LNG, Geothermal, Coker units, HRSG units, and other facilities where there is substantial thermal growth in the piping. They can be configured to accommodate horizontal or vertical movement.

Constants use a spring coil (or set of coils) to accommodate pipe movement from the initial (installed) condition to the final (operating) condition of the piping system. For all constant spring supports there is no difference in the load to be supported. Instead, these spring supports are designed to accommodate movement due to thermal expansion or contraction. PT&P has set up its manufacturing department to offer an unparalleled set of customization options with minimal impact on delivery timeframes. In addition to our standard (hot-dipped galvanized, neoprene coated spring coils) variable spring supports, we can customize any material, finish, dimension, load, load adjustment, travel, travel stops, and provide sensors for remote monitoring.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 12112018

Compact Springs for a Chemical Manufacturing Plant for Agriculture

August 16, 2022

Compact spring supports (also known as disc springs) were custom-designed for a chemical plant in the agricultural industry. We design each compact spring for specific applications. Usually, they are used in “tight” spaces where the conventional variable spring is too tall to fit the allowable space between the pipeline and supporting steel structures. In general, compact springs serve the same function as a conventional variable spring, to relieve vibration and stress in the pipeline and associated equipment. The springs supplied here are designed for loads ranging from 5,038 lb. to 15,144 lb. and spring rates from 5,904 lb./in. to 44,455 lb./in. Also, these disc springs were designed for thermal movement ranging from 0.011” to 0.46”. The assemblies are fabricated from 304 stainless steel and include Bronzphite® and stainless steel slide plates to lower the coefficient of friction due to lateral movement. Since there is lateral movement, the conventional variable spring would require “internally guided load columns”, however, these units incorporate a “guiding” feature within the spring’s design. They have an installed height of 10-1/2″ – 26”. Each assembly underwent load testing and other NDE and visual inspection by our QC department before shipment. Applications such as Skid Mounted Process Equipment, Pump and Control Skids, Skid Plants, and other types of Skid Packages where space is extremely limited are ideal applications for Compact Springs.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 07122021

Variable Springs for a High-Temperature Furnace Application

June 13, 2022

PT&P custom-designed and fabricated variable spring supports for a furnace application at a chemical plant in California. The furnace cans are manufactured from carbon steel and painted with red oxide primer because they are exposed to high temperatures where hot-dipped galvanizing is not feasible. The springs are designed for an operating load of 1,261 lb., with movement of 9″ and dimensions of 6″ x 52″ in length. Load tests were performed prior to a 12-14 week shipment.

Within a Reformer, heat-resistant cast alloy tubes are used to produce hydrogen during the process of desulfurization in refining plants, ammonia, methanol, and fertilizer plants. These catalyst tubes (also called reformer tubes) are periodically changed within the units after years of operating under high pressure and temperatures. The new or replacement tubes are manufactured from alloy material that can be lighter or heavier than the previous tubes installed. As a result of this weight change, new furnace springs may also need to be replaced.

Most recently we completed a project for a key client for the largest refinery in Central America with a specialized design using our nano-constant, the world’s smallest constant spring hanger. It supports 765 pounds of load and 7″ of travel in a 0.89 cubic foot envelope (7″ x 10″ x 22″). This particular furnace application required very stringent requirements of load deviation of less than 3% and all supports were made from stainless steel to meet furnace requirements. So, for these particular units, no coating was required since they were manufactured from stainless steel. In order to accomplish this special requirement, our engineering team designed and manufactured a new constant load test machine in-house.

We have manufactured various types of furnace springs and constants for a variety of EPC firms over the past few decades. Our experience and knowledge of the different designs and configurations have helped us to become one of the leading manufacturers of springs and pipe supports for furnace applications.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 07232018

Constant Supports Custom-Designed for an Ethane Cracker

May 24, 2022

These constant spring supports for an ethane cracker for one of our largest and oldest customers who we worked with almost daily for years. As a matter of fact, a majority of the hangers in this plant are supplied by PT&P dating back to 1971. Today, the new cracker project was designed to take advantage of cheap shale-derived ethane feedstock.

The constant supports were supplied with horizontal travelers with a special “brush strip” help limit the entry of foreign objects. The constants are designed to support an 8” diameter pipeline leading into a furnace. Each spring coil is neoprene coated and the spring can housing is hot-dipped galvanized to protect against corrosion. This type of rigid spring hanger uses a coil or series of coils to accommodate pipe movement throughout the piping system. These particular constant assemblies are designed for horizontal movements ranging from 1” to 6.6” and loads up to 1320 lb. We can customize any material, finish, dimension, load, load adjustment, travel, and travel stops, as well as provide sensors for remote monitoring.

This project was unique in design and testing requirements requested by the client and their customer. Every constant support we build is load-tested by our quality and production teams. In some cases, the customer will ask to witness the testing of a single unit which we do on a regular basis. However, for this project, every constant spring was witness tested with the client’s inspection and engineering teams located at our manufacturing facility utilizing our custom in-house designed test machine.

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