Blog Category: ENGINEERED SPRING SUPPORTS

Constant Supports Designed with Bronzphite® Slide Plates for Oil Refinery in China
April 4, 2022

These big-ton constant spring supports with Bronzphite® slide plates were designed for a 400 KTA light oil processing and utilization unit in Southeast Asia. The constants are designed for high loads and utilize self-lubricating bearing plates consisting of high-quality bronze and graphite-filled grooves. Bronzphite® can be used where temperatures are up to 1100°F and for high loads, low-velocity applications, and in places where the use of oil or grease is undesirable or unfeasible.

Big Ton Constant Supports Designed with Bronzphite® Slide Plates for Oil Refinery in China

PT&P custom-designed and manufactured a total of four big ton constant spring supports w/ Brozphite® slide plates for a 400 KTA light oil for a processing and utilization unit at one of the largest of largest oil refineries in China. In US refineries, crude oil still makes up a majority of what is produced today: Us energy info admin petroleum supply

These constant assemblies were fabricated from carbon steel and hot-dipped galvanized for extra protection against corrosion. The bronze plate acts as the bearing surface, supporting heavy loads, while the graphite inserts provide a solid, oil-free sliding surface. They are designed for operating temperatures up to 1100°F and an operating load of 187,393 lb., with 1-1/2″ total travel.  It is through the combination of high-strength bearings and impregnated graphite that it is an ideal environment for maintaining excellent wear resistance and durability under severe operating conditions.  Load and travel testing was performed prior to shipment.

Bronzphite slide plate

For this particular crude oil production and mining facility, we also supplied other key products from our portfolio, including variables, snubbers, sway braces, and sway struts. 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.

As an industry leader in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries for over 47 years, we specialize in designing pipe supports, expansion joints, and insulated supports for unique applications involving both products readily available and products not readily available. Our products are used in the CDU (crude distillation units), hydrocracking units, RFCC (residual fluid catalytic cracking), naphtha hydrotreater, hydrodesulfurization units (also known as alkylation units), and sulphuric acid regeneration (SAR) units in refineries.

 

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 09252017

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152 Variable Spring Supports for a Furnace Application at an Ammonia Plant
March 7, 2022

Ptp variable furnace springs 151617

PT&P custom-designed and manufactured over 150 variable spring supports for a furnace application at an ammonia plant. The ammonia plant was the largest single train plant of its kind in the world for the leader in mineral-based commodity and specialized fertilizer production. As an important base to material for fertilizers, ammonia helps put food on the table as the engine of plant growth. Over 85% of anhydrous ammonia is used as fertilizer for the three primary nutrients of fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphates, and potash. The plant and the EPC for which these were designed and manufactured were in Europe highlighting Piping Technology and Products’ robust international footprint in the marketplace for over 47 years. We serve over 90% of the countries in the world covering almost all continents. Outside of use in the fertilizer industry, ammonia is positioned to have a key role in our renewable-based, lower carbon footprint hydrogen economy supporting on-board hydrogen carrier for fuel cell activities given its high capacity for hydrogen storage based on its molecular structure.

These furnace springs are fabricated from carbon steel and painted with a red-oxide primer to help prevent corrosion. We also designed and manufactured 304 stainless steel pipe clamps to attach the furnace springs to catalysis tubes within the furnace. They are designed to support a cold load of almost 3,000 lb./in. while operating in an area where temperatures are higher than ambient. There were a total of 173 assemblies fabricated for this project, 152 variable hangers, 3 constant spring supports, 6 ball joint rigid struts, and 12 rigid rod hangers. Special load tests were performed before shipping.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 08072017

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Variable Spring Supports for a Major Pipeline Expansion Project
February 1, 2022

Ptp variable spring 182218

PT&P supplied F-type variable spring supports for pipeline 1150km long carrying various kinds of crude and refined products including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The expansion tripled the capacity of the current line allowing for it to carry 85% of what is transported through British Columbia increasing oil tanker capacity at the terminal seven times.

The spring supports are designed for small movements and operating loads ranging from 15,679 lb. to 19,688 lb. The housing is fabricated from A-36 carbon steel, hot-dipped galvanized, and then painted with 3 different coats (primer, intermediate, and topcoat) of paint to protect against the harsh Canadian winters while providing long term protection against corrosion. These variables will include PTFE, 25% glass filled, slide plates welded to the top of the load flange to allow for translational movement. Each spring is load tested and then preset to the specified installed load and inspected for quality assurance before shipment.

Why PT&P?
For this particular project, the PT&P team worked with the client through the client’s six-month bidding process on the project. Our unique combination of experience, engineering expertise, and production knowledge enabled customers to secure the project. PTP addressed coating considerations, technical queries, and met the demanding delivery needs of the project. PT&P’s turnaround time from PO receipt to the material on-site was 10 weeks.

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Saddle Support Spring Isolators for an Old Steam Chest Saddle
November 2, 2021

Saddle Support Spring Isolators Designed for an Old Steam Chest Saddle

PT&P custom designed and fabricated “saddle support spring isolators” to replace the previous springs originally designed in 1974 for supporting an old steam chest saddle at a chlor-alkali chemical plant. Chlor-alkali plants use salt and electricity to produce caustic soda and chlorine gas. Downstream, the chlorine gas – either wet or optionally dry – can be reacted in a chemical process to produce bleach, other chlorine derivatives, or chemical feed stocks finding its way into the production of glass, plastics, pulp, paper, textiles, vinyl, antiseptics, insecticides, and a water treatment agent and in some soaps and detergents. Rising demand for chlorine and caustic soda in various industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, paper, and chemicals are driving the chlor-alkali market. Due to improvements in the manufacture of spring coils, PT&P’s engineering team suggested improvements to the original design using a more well-suited design that exceeds the original design specifications. These saddle supports include PTFE, 25% glass-filled slide plates bonded to the top of the assembly. They are designed to support up to 32,000 lb. each with a 6,250 lb/in. spring rate. These springs do not have the traditional spring housing typically used to encase the spring coil, instead, they are fabricated utilizing carbon steel plates in conjunction with chains and internal components. See diagram below. Ptp spring isolators plain diagram 161917

The spring coils are alloy steel and were custom designed per this customer’s specified wire dia, active/total coils, and solid height. The spring supports were load tested and a quality control inspection was completed that included MAG Particle Inspection. PT&P can replace existing custom variable spring supports using the original design drawings from plants built more than 50 years ago. PT&P can also reverse engineer any spring hanger by taking detailed measurements of the support in the field and sending the information back to our shop for a quick lead time during a plant turnaround or shutdown. Many of the custom spring supports that PT&P has supplied to replace original equipment have been in service for more than 40 years.

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F-Type Vertical Constant Spring Supports for a 9,000 lb. Load
October 26, 2021

 

Ptp constant spring supports 83774 r2

PT&P manufactured compact spring supports designed for loads up to 9,000 lb. Constants are used in Geothermal, Coker units, HRSG units, and other facilities where there is substantial thermal growth in the piping. Green energy (popular to offset carbon emissions) applications such as solar, wind, and hydro also utilize constants. The figure 100 type-F constant spring supports are designed to support piping from below using a sway strut because horizontal space was not available in the system. This vertical constant spring support was the first of its kind designed and manufactured by PT&P for the largest power providers in the South using a diverse fuel and energy supply of coal, nuclear, oil, gas, hydro, and some renewable energy. The base plate is bolted directly to the top of the steel or floor and the sway strut assembly is attached to the arm (cam) of the constant. With the constant bolted in position below the piping and the sway strut assembly attached via a pipe clamp above, when the pipe goes through its upward vertical movement, the constant maintains an equal and opposite force on the piping. If there is also horizontal movement (axial or lateral) in the piping, this type of constant is well suited because of the slight “arch” in the travel path of the internal cam. The constant in the first picture maintains a constant load of 7,000 lb. while the constant in the second picture maintains a load of 9,000 lb. on the pipe throughout its 4” of total travel. They are 36” high with two gussets at the base plate for added strength encountered under hydrotest loading. They are fabricated from A36 carbon steel and hot-dipped galvanized for corrosion protection. Standard load and travel testing were performed on both constants to ensure proper field operation. Piping Technology is a leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of pipe supports and our products have been in service for over 40 years.

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Compact Spring Supports Designed for an Oil Refinery
October 19, 2021

Compact Spring Supports Designed for 9k Load at an Oil Refinery

Type: Compact Spring Supports
Material: Carbon Steel w/ Hot-Dipped Galvanized (HDG)
Design: 9,000 lb. Load | +/-0.125″ Vertical Movement
Testing: Load Testing

PT&P custom-designed 76 compact spring supports or “disc spring” supports for a major oil refinery. This type of spring supports is ideal for locating under equipment flanges to limit excessive loads on sensitive equipment. PT&P has supplied custom compact springs for over a decade as the industry leader in plants all over the world. Compact springs are used for small travel systems to prevent equipment failures, assure safe plant operations, and reduce operational costs. Such springs can support loads equal loads to conventional springs while using 50% less space. If not addressed, pipe strain can cause misalignment, thermal expansion, and pipe-lift off resulting in strain on expensive equipment. For example in a typical refinery, upwards of $15M a year is spent on pump repair alone due to pipe strain issues. Compact springs are used in systems to support Centrifugal pumps and compressors, air-cooled heat exchangers, vessels, and steam turbines while addressing regulatory codes for API, ASME, UBC, and government compliance for organizations such as OSHA, EPA, WISHA, etc.

The springs are stainless steel Belleville washers and the housing is fabricated from A-36 carbon steel with a hot-dipped galvanized finish to protect against corrosion. The assemblies are 3″ high, designed to support a 9,000 load and movement of +/-.125″ (upward). Each assembly underwent load testing before shipment. Compact springs are specifically designed to minimize excessive loads on process equipment by managing nozzle loads and the flange seal and can be installed directly under the equipment. Another benefit of compact springs is to address corrosive environments (saltwater, marine air, or chemicals) by manufacturing them with metals like stainless steel and/or using amorphous glass coatings making them impervious to corrosion.

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Constant Spring Supports Custom-Designed for a Large Crude Oil Processing Facility
July 27, 2021

Constant Spring Supports Custom-Designed for One of the Largest Crude Oil Processing Facilities in the World

Piping Technology & Products custom-designed constant spring supports for crude oil processing at one of the largest refineries in the world. Petroleum refineries change crude oil into products such as jet fuel, gasoline, polypropylene, polyethylene, propane, sulphur, carbon black feed, and diesel that can be used for transportation, heating, feedstocks for making other chemicals, generating electricity, renewable energy, and paving roads. Piping Technology and Products was awarded this project because we were the only engineering manufacturing firm vendor of constant spring manufacturers in the world that could both design, manufacture, and test these units for the unique design conditions. These constant springs will support loads ranging from 88,185 lb. to 143,300 lb. They are designed for temperatures up to 650°F, and movements of 0.39” up, 4.72” down, -2.36” up, and 0.39” down. The Type-C constants are 67” H x 21” W x 88.25” L and the Type-F constants are 85” H X 39.75” W x 86.56” L. The F-Type springs will include graphite slide plates and are designed to support the piping from below while allowing both lateral and axial movement. All constant assemblies underwent magnetic particle inspection of welds, travel, and compression tests. Additionally, a special “cramp test” was conducted on each spring coil. A “cramp test” is done by compressing the spring coil by a specified length for a specific period of time. This assures the spring’s functionally especially when a large “wire diameter” is used to manufacture the spring coil for these high loads. At Piping Technology and Products and our subsidiaries, we specialize in designing pipe supports, expansion joints, and insulated supports for unique applications involving products not readily available. Our products are used in the CDU (crude distillation units), hydrocracking units, RFCC (residual fluid catalytic cracking), naphtha hydrotreater, and hydrodesulfurization units (also known as alkylation unit), and sulphuric acid regeneration (SAR) units in refineries.

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Variable Supports Fabricated in 48 hours for an Emergency Plant Shutdown
April 13, 2021

Variable Spring Supports Fabricated in less than 48 hours for an Emergency Plant Shutdown Overseas in the Asia-Pacific Region

PT&P received a rush order this past week for variable spring supports at 4:41 pm, quite late into the workday; however, this is business as usual, our manufacturing facility in Houston, TX operates 24/7 to support our customers.

In this case, the customer facility, an olefins plant was incurring a significant loss and needed to replace the springs to resume operations as quickly as possible. The seven (7) variable springs were designed, fabricated, and shipped within 2 days. The F-type variable spring support is designed to support piping from below, directly from the foundation, concrete column, or supporting structural pipe rack steel. Adjustment is made by inserting a bar into holes in the load column and turning the load column as a jackscrew. The base plate is bolted to the case and has four holes for fastening.

As global leaders in variable spring manufacturing, we used our adaptive manufacturing processes in which the PT&P pre-fabricated component parts that make up these variables are easily assembled when orders are placed. These variables were fabricated from carbon steel and hot-dipped galvanized for corrosion protection. They are designed to support loads ranging from 713 lb. to 1668 lb. and movements of 0.148” to 0.133”. Load and travel tests, along with Q.C. inspections were performed before shipment. Variable springs are used in mills, refineries, chemical, plastics, polymer, solar, power, biochar, renewables, carbon black, LNG boilers, food, packaging, and wastewater treatment plants to support piping as it goes through its’ range of movement.

Variable rush job 183959b Variable rush job 183959c

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ASME Defines Inspection Criteria for High Energy Piping
February 23, 2021

B31.1 Operations and Maintenance

According to ASME B31.1 Chapter VII Par. 140 a program shall be established for the assessment and documentation of the condition of all CPS (Covered Piping Systems) in power plants.

CPS Systems are defined in Chapter 1 Par 100.2, as systems on which condition assessments are to be conducted. This includes the following systems as a minimum.

NPS 4 and larger main steam, hot reheat steam, cold reheat steam, and boiler feedwater piping.

NPS 4 and larger systems that operate above 750°E (400°C or above 1,025 psi (7,100 kPa)

 

Other systems may be included as CPS by an Operating Company, based on their judgment. Appendix V of the code is titled ‘Recommended Practice for Operation, Maintenance, and Modification of Power Piping Systems’. This addendum is non-mandatory; however many  Power Industry operating companies’ insurance carriers are now invoking Appendix V with increasing frequency, and this is affecting the conditions of their agreements with the operating companies.

Piping Technology and Products Inc. (PT&P) has for some time been performing surveys and assessments in accordance with part H of Par. 140, which requires hot and cold walk-down readings and assessment of pipe supports, operated within the creep regime of the pipe.  These assessments are helpful in identifying, sagging lines, deformation of supports, and damage caused by upset conditions, and/or incidents, attributable to operational malfunctions, dynamic/thermal or hydraulic events.

PT&P has been performing this service for many power generation companies. Preparation of documentation, retrieval, and compilation of files for a CPS assessment, has just been completed for a major U.S power generation company. Ten large power plants were involved, and the original predominantly high-energy pipe support drawings, all engineered and designed by PT&P, were retrieved from PT&P archives dating back ten years.

We will be happy to answer any of your technical questions about our survey capabilities, as well as any other engineering or field services that your organization may need.

If you need assistance, we are available 24×7 for emergencies or reach our field service team directly.

 

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Compact Spring Supports Designed for a Heat Exchanger at a Large Oil Refinery
November 17, 2020

Compact Spring Supports Designed for a Heat Exchanger at a Large Oil Refinery

These compact spring supports were custom-designed to support a heat exchanger at an oil refinery. They were designed to support loads up to 12,000 lb. and a movement of 0.039”, with space limitations of 3″ in height. These compact springs are fabricated from carbon steel and utilize engineered Belleville (disc spring) washers. 25% glass-filled (PTFE) slide plates are bonded to the top of the load flange and provide a low coefficient of friction.

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