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Cold Shoe Anchor Supports with 4″ Thick G10 Micarta® Insulation
November 16, 2021

Cold Shoe Anchor Supports with 4" Thick G10 Micarta® Insulation

PT&P Cold Shoe Anchors are designed to support pipe sizes ranging from 12″ to 72″ in diameter. In this case, the supports were custom designed for one of the largest nitrogen generation systems for LNG in the Southern Hemisphere. The project employed a modular approach to its execution which included the assembly of large, complex, and heavy Process Modules as well as simple and relatively light Yard Rack Modules.

Ptp fig 4800 insulated cold shoe anchor g10
The saddles are fabricated from A240-Gr. 304L stainless steel and the base plates are fabricated from galvanized A516 Gr. 70N carbon steel. The insulation is 4″ thick G10 Micarta® material and capable of insulating from temperatures down to -300°F. G10 shoes are welded directly to the pipe spool, inspected, and tested prior to shipping which saves field installation and inspection time. G10 supports are also pretty durable making handling, transportation, and storage trouble-free. G10 Micarta® supports have an insignificant water/moisture absorption rate, meaning there is no structural deterioration in adverse weather, especially in the wake of heavy rain and storms.

G10 Micarta® supports involve fewer steps to manufacture allowing PT&P to support just in time lead times for fast-paced dynamic projects. PT&P has designed, extensively tested, and manufactured on G10 Micarta shoes for over 15 years. G10 is a preferred choice in cryogenic applications and demanding LNG environments for the following reasons:

  • Impervious to water absorption–Water intrusion into the system degrades performance and leads to many problems such as ice formation.
  • Superior Tensile and Flexural strength
  • Low Capital Expenses: Reduced field welding time, material cost, travel time, and field installation cost
  • Construction/Installation Savings: G10 pipe shoes can be sent to the pipe fabricator and welded directly to the pipe spool allowing for no inspection and testing requirements in the field.
  • Easy, trouble-free handling, transportation, and storage
  • Longer installation life and reduced maintenance needs
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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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Pre-Insulated Pipe Supports for High Temperatures at a Phenol Plant in Texas
October 4, 2021

Pre-Insulated Pipe Supports for High Temperatures at a Phenol Plant in Texas

PT&P manufactured 48″ diameter pre-insulated pipe supports for a high-temperature pipeline at a phenol plant in Texas. Phenol is an important aromatic organic compound used in several products like plastics, nylon, epoxies, detergents, mouthwash, antiseptics, and other pharmaceutical drugs. PT&P has consistently supplied products to these types of plants for many years and has done work for most of the largest phenol plants in the world. The production of phenol from petroleum-derived feedstocks can involve temperatures, where large bore piping can reach 250°F. Phenols are used in a diverse range of end markets including construction, automotive, electronics, and fibre industries. Some other plants that utilize large bore piping at high temperatures, are Biofuels, Semiconductor, and Old Sands Extraction processing plants. These hot shoes, in particular, are designed for pipe sizes up to 48″ in diameter. They include 6″ thick by 4″ width calcium silicate insulation, hot-dipped galvanized steel, and are designed for a load of 7,000 lb. Standard quality tests were performed before shipment. At Piping Technology and Products, we can supply a wide range of different types of pipe supports to meet your design specifications. This enables our clients to order from one vendor as opposed to several different vendors to manage the supply chain for project success in the most cost-effective manner while keeping deliveries on time. This order consisted of six different types of supports such as variable assemblies, constant support assemblies, sway struts, and pre-insulated pipe supports along with associated “off the shelf” hardware items. We have served the piping industry for over 45 years providing a unique array of engineering and manufacturing experience to an ever-changing industry.

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230 Chromoly Pipe Shoes & Clamps for a Natural Gas-Fed Ammonia Plant
September 27, 2021

230 Chromoly Pipe Shoes & Clamps Custom-Designed for Service at a Natural Gas-Fed Ammonia Plant

PT&P custom-designed 230 Chromoly pipe shoes & clamps for service at a natural gas-fed ammonia plant. The pipe shoes are designed for 1″ to 42″ diameter pipelines and coated with red epoxy for high temperatures (above 750°F). Each pipe shoe design utilizes custom two-bolt pipe clamps manufactured from 387 GR. 11 CL 2 material. This design is especially useful when welding to the process pipe is prohibited. These shoes clamp around the pipe instead of welding to the pipe in order to support a given load. Special bolting is required for high temperatures utilizing A 193 GR. B16 bolting material. Quality assurance inspection was conducted prior to shipment.

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Hold-Down Clamps for a Waste Disposal Facility
September 4, 2021

Hold-Down Pipe Clamps for a 20" Pipeline at a Waste Disposal Facility

These hold-down pipe clamp assemblies are specially fabricated and include wedges with 25% glass-filled PTFE to absorb vibration and also serve as a buffer between the steel pipe and pipe support. Vibration can occur in Power, Solar, Biofuels, and Chemical plants because of flow-induced and/or acoustic-induced vibration due to the flow of fluids or gas/steam through the piping system. Similarly, vibration can occur in pipelines near rotating equipment such as reciprocating pumps and compressors resulting in pulsations or mechanical forces that can occur in both onshore or offshore production facilities. Vibration can be strong enough to cause premature failure or cracks resulting in unplanned shutdowns. These units shown in the photograph are custom-designed for pipe sizes up to 20″ in diameter and temperatures up to 200°F and can be adjusted to accommodate a range of heights for the T.O.S to the B.O.P. They are 21″ wide x 26″ long x 23″ high and are proven to greatly reduce vibration to acceptable levels. These hold-down pipe clamps are fabricated utilizing A 36 carbon steel plate and A 307 Gr. All-threaded rods. All components were hot-dipped galvanized and a quality control inspection was performed before shipment.

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Cable Tray Support Rack Fabricated for a Groundwater Remediation
August 30, 2021

Cable Tray Support Rack Fabricated for a Groundwater Remediation

PT&P provided a cable tray support rack to a groundwater treatment facility in California. Groundwater remediation is a process whereby groundwater is purified by removing pollutants and containments rendering the water useful for crop irrigation and industrial processes. Groundwater remediation techniques can include but are not limited to, oxygen gas injection, dual-phase extraction, membrane separation, carbon absorption, and chemical oxidation. Cable trays, used in this facility, were designed to suspend electrical cables, wiring, and small-bore piping throughout the facility. Cable trays are also used in biochemical plants, solar power plants, sports stadiums, green energy plants, as well as, traditional plants such as petroleum refineries, chemical and coal-fired power plants. As a general rule, cable trays protect and carry cable and wiring from point “A” to “B” inside the facility.

This section of cable tray in the photograph (blue in color) is 25’ long, 7’ wide, and 11’ tall completely assembled. It is fabricated from carbon steel and painted with a highly chemically resistant epoxy mastic designed for immersion conditions to protect against corrosion in marine or industrial conditions. PT&P can fabricate any combination of instrument stands and structural supports from floor mounts, wall mounts to secondary supports, and more. In addition, we have the capabilities to do what few other structural fabricators can do including:

– Complete Engineering designs including FEA (Ansys) and Structural Engineering (STAAD)
– Load Testing
– Incorporation of Contact Corrosion Solutions including TPI (half-round thermoplastic) and FRP
– Incorporation of Vibration Control Solutions
– Ability to fabricate with a wide variety of metals including all grades of Stainless and Nickel Super Alloys

PT&P has worked on and is working on some of the largest water remediation projects in the US where we have supplied expansion joints, variables, fire protection insulated supports, and structural pipe supports. Our ASME shop is large, local to the United States, and includes heavy-duty equipment and specially trained personnel with over 45 years of experience making this division of PT&P ideal for large-scale projects such as this structural support as we can leverage our massive manufacturing scale and expertise.

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Custom-Designed Bird Screens for LNG Service Provide a Humane Deterrent
August 24, 2021

Custom-Designed Bird Screens for LNG Service Provide a Humane Deterrent

PT&P custom-designed bird screens for a 3″ diameter pipeline at an LNG facility. Bird screens (or insect screens) are used on an open-ended pipe (i.e. exhaust) where birds or insects can be trapped inside the pipe creating a blockage. Birds such as pigeons and other roosting birds often build nests inside exposed piping and their droppings can carry diseases and even pose potential contamination and health hazards. Bird droppings have even been known to cause damage to sensitive equipment such as valves and gauges not to mention creating safety hazards on ladders, steps, and catwalks. It’s best to incorporate bird screens during the design of the refinery, chemical, power, LNG, or green energy plant and install them during construction. Our bird screens are fabricated from corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel and can withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. They are designed to be easily assembled in the field without requiring a skilled welder or special equipment. PT&P can provide bird screens for any size piping or configuration.

 

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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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