Blog Category: ENGINEERED SPRING SUPPORTS

Variable Springs for a High-Temperature Furnace Application
June 13, 2022

Pt&Amp;P Custom Designed Furnace Spring Support Cans For Chemical Plant
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

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Constant Supports Custom-Designed for an Ethane Cracker
May 24, 2022

Constant Spring Supports Custom-Designed With Brush Strip On Horizontal Travelers For An Ethane Cracker

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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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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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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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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Constant Spring Supports for a Leading Energy Transportation and Midstream Service Provider
October 27, 2020

Constant Spring Supports Custom-Designed For A Leading Energy Transportation And Midstream Service Provider

PT&P custom-designed constant spring support assemblies for an energy facility in Canada. These 100–E Type (layout B) constants were supplied with an extended hanger rod and fabricated from A36 carbon steel with 5160 alloy steel coil springs. They are designed for an operating load from 2,370 lb. to 9,240 lb., and movements from 1-1/2” to 8-1/4”. The dimensions are 12” W x12” L x 30” H and 14” W x 19” L x 53” H. Load and travel tests along with a quality control inspection were conducted prior to shipment.

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U-Type Constant Spring Supports with Stainless Steel Slide Plates
September 30, 2020

 U-Type Constant Spring Supports With Stainless Steel Slide Plates

PT&P custom-designed U-type constant spring supports for an oil refinery in Texas. Constants can be utilized in refineries within blocks such as hydrogenation units, naphtha desulfurization units, and fluid catalytic crackers. The spring’s frame is manufactured from A36 carbon steel and hot-dipped galvanized to protect against corrosion. For instances where there was axial and lateral movement, 240 Gr. 304 slide plates were installed on the load flanges of the constants. The constants supplied are designed for an operating load ranging from 1,085 lb. up to 17,480 lb. and horizontal travel from 2.5” to 6”. The overall dimensions range in size from 17” H x 20” W x 31” L to 28” H x 26” W x 66” L. Load and travel tests per industry standards were performed prior to shipment.

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PT&P Designed and Fabricated Variable Springs for a Refinery in Texas City
July 20, 2020

Pt&Amp;P Designed And Fabricated Hanger And Base-Type Variable Springs, Constant Spring Supports, And Sway Struts For A Refinery In Texas City

Type: G-Type Variable Spring Support Assemblies
Design: Operating Loads from 3000 lb. to 4000 lb.
Movement of 1”
Material: Carbon Steel
Testing: Load & Travel Test |  Q.C. Inspection

Pictured here is a Type G variable spring hanger assembly designed for an operating load up to 4000 lb. and 1” movement. This type of support assembly is formed by welding two standard spring assemblies to the ends of a pair of channels. The Type G assembly is especially adaptable for avoiding interference in spaces where the headroom is limited. The assemblies are fabricated from carbon steel and underwent spring load tests before shipment.

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Constant Spring Supports Designed for LNG Service in Louisiana
July 7, 2020

Constant Spring Supports Designed For Lng Service In Louisiana

Type: B-Type Constant Spring Supports
Size: 11-5/8 W x 41” L x 19” H to 21” W x 88” L x 38” H
Material: A36 Carbon Steel | Hot-dipped Galvanized
Design: Operating Load Range: 3,170 lb. to 48,400 lb.
Movement of 3” to 8”
Testing: Q.C. Inspection | Load and Travel Tests

PT&P manufactured B-type constant spring supports for LNG service in Louisiana. These constants are fabricated from A36 carbon steel with alloy steel 5160 spring coils. The constants are designed for an operating load range of 3,170 lb. to 48,400 lb., and movements from 3” to 8”. They range in size from 11-5/8 W x 41” L x 19” H to 21” W x 88” L x 38” H. To avoid delivery delay, a standard frame was paired with an oversized coil and coil housing. The lugs were rotated 90 degrees from the standard to allow the hanger to swing beyond +/- 4” of side-to-side swing. Standard load and travel tests were performed prior to shipment.

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