These big ton variable spring assemblies were custom designed for an LNG plant in Western Australia. They were specially designed with PTFE, 25% glass-filled slide plates, and will be used to both support the vertical load and allow thermal growth of horizontal pressure vessel saddle supports. These units measure 30″ x 30″ and are capable of supporting a load up to 95,000 lb. with down travel of 2 to 5mm vertical.
Horizontal pressure vessels are used in a wide range of industries as storage containers, separation tanks, or settling drums. Our Big Ton springs have also been designed and manufactured to support very large Gasifiers. These units mix air, steam, and coal under high temperatures/pressures to produce syngas which is considered a source of renewable energy because it’s more efficient than direct combustion of the original feedstock (coal) since it can be combusted at higher temperatures so that the thermodynamic upper limit produces better efficiency.
As one of the first companies to design, manufacture, and test big tons, we possess the engineering expertise, testing, and “know-how” in order to meet or exceed many of our client’s expectations. Our exceptional design team is able to build 3D models and perform FEAs in order to ascertain optimum designs for big tons for given applications.
PT&P designed U-Type constant spring supports for an LNG plant in Canada. These are horizontal constants designed to support piping from below where the base plate is bolted directly to the top of the steel or the foundation using anchor bolts. These specific constant springs are designed to support an operating load of 67,420 lb. with 6″ of total upward travel. The constants are fabricated from galvanized carbon steel for protection against corrosion. Standard load and travel testing were completed to ensure the quality and performance of these constants.
U-Type constant springs are commonly used in industrial applications where there is a need to support pipelines, ducts, or other structures subjected to thermal expansion or contraction. These springs are designed to provide a constant supporting force over a defined range of movement, typically in response to temperature changes. Here are some specific applications where U-Type constant springs might be used:
Piping Systems: In industrial plants, refineries, chemical processing facilities, and power plants, pipelines are often subjected to temperature fluctuations due to the flow of hot fluids. U-Type constant springs can be employed to support these pipelines and compensate for thermal expansion or contraction, preventing excessive stress on the piping system.
HVAC Systems: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems often involve ductwork that expands and contracts with changes in temperature. U-Type constant springs can be installed to support HVAC ducts and accommodate thermal movements, ensuring structural integrity and preventing damage.
Steam Systems: Steam distribution systems in industries such as power generation, food processing, and manufacturing also require support for piping subjected to thermal expansion. U-Type constant springs are used to maintain proper alignment and support in steam piping systems, preventing issues such as pipe stress and misalignment.
Oil and Gas Pipelines: In the oil and gas industry, pipelines are essential for transporting crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products over long distances. U-Type constant springs help support these pipelines and compensate for temperature changes, ensuring the reliability and safety of the transportation infrastructure.
Process Equipment: Various types of process equipment, such as reactors, heat exchangers, and vessels, experience thermal expansion and contraction during operation. U-Type constant springs may be employed to support and compensate for the movement of such equipment, reducing the risk of damage and prolonging service life.
U-Type constant springs play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity and reliability of industrial systems and equipment subjected to thermal expansion or contraction.
Constant springs are sometimes installed near rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors used in manufacturing, mining operations, utilities, oil and gas extraction, and cross-country pipelines. By providing constant support to piping leading to rotating equipment subject to both vertical and horizontal movement, these types of spring hangers help to decrease stresses imposed on rotating equipment, thereby extending the life of the bearings and seals within these units.
In our continued efforts to meet projects needs for operationally best in class design with the lowest cost and time to market we created the world’s smallest constant spring support.
We have designed and built constants for not only refineries, LNG, geothermal plants, petrochemical plants, and renewable energy facilities. The use applications include coker replacement, debottlenecking of furnace operations, installation of a new VDU (vacuum distillation unit) heater, tube, and heater replacement, and flare gas recovery units where the installation of constant spring hangers helped to improve the efficiency of the system or process.
Constant spring supports alongside our portfolio of products are shipped worldwide from our Houston, Texas headquarters, where all our products are manufactured. We are open for plant tours. If you are interested, please let us know so we can schedule some time with your team.
PT&P manufactured these F-type variable spring supports for a facility in Canada. The springs are fabricated from A36 carbon steel with a hot-dipped galvanized finish. The variables installed heights range from 11" to 15" and are designed for operating conditions up to 4,000 lbs. Bronzphite® is best suited for high loads, low-velocity applications and where the use of oil or grease is undesirable or not feasible. The bronze plate acts as the bearing surface, withstanding heavy loads, while the graphite inserts provide a solid, oil-free lubricant. Type F base springs are not typically designed for lateral loads, so slide plates such as Bronzphite® are employed to reduce the stress that could be imposed on the spring and pipeline by reducing the sliding friction between the spring’s load flange and the pipe shoe, trunnion or supporting steel. Also added to these springs are Internally Guided Load Columns which provide additional support for lateral loads. As with all of our variable supports, these were quality-checked with a 100% spring coil deflection test and a load cell calibration to set the assembly at the prescribed installed load.
PT&P designed and manufactured these variable spring hanger assemblies for a Flue Gas Cooler and SCR system in Thailand. The SCR system utilizes urea to reduce NOx levels. These variable spring hanger assemblies incorporate the use of three-bolt pipe clamps (fitted with metric bolting for this overseas order) ranging in sizes from 6″ to 12″ diameter with elevation differences ranging from 68-½” to 138-1⁄2″ from the pipe rack structure steel member to the center of the pipe. The B-Type spring hanger assembly uses coil springs to support the load and allow for vertical movement. They are furnished with one lug welded to the top of the spring’s transition plate. The transition plate can be designed for different connection arrangements utilizing 2 lugs or a threaded connection. All forty-seven variable spring supports were quality-checked with a 100% spring coil deflection test utilizing a load cell to also set the assemblies at the prescribed installed load. These spring hanger assemblies were packaged for export shipment at our facility.
Variable supports are typically used for the following considerations in piping systems:
Compensating for Thermal Expansion
Maintaining Stress and Load
Installation in Piping Systems
Maintenance
Supporting Heavy Loads
Variable spring cans play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and stability of piping systems by compensating for thermal expansion or contraction, supporting heavy loads, and allowing for vertical movement. They are essential components in industries such as petrochemical, power generation, semiconductor, refining, paper and pulp processing, and other applications where large-scale piping systems are employed.
Variable spring cans come in a variety of designs and are constructed using different materials to suit specific applications and environmental conditions. Materials commonly used for variable spring cans include carbon steel, stainless steel, and special alloys. The selection of materials is crucial to ensure that the device can withstand the corrosive effects of certain fluids or harsh environmental conditions.
Variable spring supports, along with our array of engineered support solutions, stand as a fundamental pillar of our business. They enable us to actively collaborate with our clients, whether it involves the products we’ve manufactured, systems subjected to pipe stress and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), or items serviced through the expertise of our field service team.
PT&P designed twelve constant spring support assemblies for a chemical plant in New Jersey. The assemblies will be used as replacements in a recuperator "up-leg" and "down-leg" application in conjunction with custom cross-over supports previously fabricated by PT&P. Physical sizes of these constant assemblies range from 18-1/2" x 22" x 64" to 18-1/2" x 26" x 83". Operating loads range between 8,000 lb. – 19,000 lb. and each allows for upward movement between 6" – 9". The spring coils are coated with epoxy instead of the standard neoprene coating. Standard load and travel tests were completed prior to shipment.
Constant spring supports find applications in various fields and can be made from diverse materials tailored to specific end applications. These supports are integral in industries such as petrochemicals, LNG, refining, power generation, steel mills, and geothermal plants, among others. In the past, obtaining a custom-designed constant spring support posed a significant challenge in terms of both design and manufacturing, with lead times extending to a minimum of 6-8 weeks.
Through a dedicated focus on manufacturing optimization and employing a design-centric engineering approach, we have successfully reduced the required manufacturing time by more than half. Now, the process of acquiring custom constant spring supports is significantly streamlined. In fact, we are capable of fulfilling emergency orders in less than 24 hours, taking into account the client’s location and urgent requirements.
PT&P custom designed and manufactured ten 200 U-Type constant spring supports with slide plates for an Oil Refinery in Texas. They are fabricated from A36 carbon steel with an HDG finish for plates, angles, and cans. Its dimensions are 31" in height and 52" in length with 19" in width. They are designed for a movement of 3 ½" up to 9 ½" and an operating load of 1100 lbs up to 4800 lbs. They were custom-designed to match the box dimensions of a competitor. The units had a Standard Load Test performed prior to shipment.
Constant springs are sometimes installed near rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors used in manufacturing, mining operations, utilities, oil and gas extraction, and cross-country pipelines. By providing constant support to piping leading to rotating equipment subject to both vertical and horizontal movement, these types of spring hangers help to decrease stresses imposed on rotating equipment, thereby extending the life of the bearings and seals within these units.
For this application, our constants were designed and manufactured with carbon steel; however, depending on application requirements, such as a furnace, we can also provide constant spring supports utilizing stainless steel material, which accommodates high temperatures and corrosive environments. We created the world’s smallest constant spring support. Our nano constant is ideal for such applications:
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. The DST Compact Spring Support is specifically designed to relieve excess loading on process equipment. Benefits: Minimizes excessive loads on sensitive equipment, same load for smaller working range (25-50% less space), ideal for locating under equipment flanges & reduces design time, maintenance cost and accidents.
Heights up to 12-3/4”
Spring Casing Diameters from 6-5/8” to 8-5/8”
Base plates from 9″x 9″ to 13-1/4” x 13-1/4″
Design:
Operating Temp.: -49°F to 122°F
Operating Loads from 697 lb. to 6093 lb.
Movements of 0.04″ to 0.2”
Material:
Hot-dipped Galvanized Carbon Steel
Testing:
Load & Travel Test | Q.C. Inspection
Piping Technology and Products, Inc. recently designed and manufactured F-Type variable spring supports with internal load columns for a petrochemical plant in Canada. The variables are fabricated from carbon steel that is able to accommodate low temperatures (A516-GR. 70N). The operating temperature ranges from -49°F to 122°F while supporting operating loads from 697 lb. to 6093 lb. and movements of 0.04″ to 0.2″. They are designed to accommodate installed heights up to 12-3/4″, with spring casing diameters from 6-5/8″ to 8-5/8″, along with base plates from 9″x 9″ to 13-1/4″ x 13-1/4″ for installing either by bolting or welding in the field. Load and travel tests, along with visual Q.C. inspections were performed before shipment.
Variable supports are typically used for the following considerations in piping systems:
Compensating for Thermal Expansion
Maintaining Stress and Load
Installation in Piping Systems
Maintenance
Supporting Heavy Loads
Variable spring cans play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and stability of piping systems by compensating for thermal expansion or contraction, supporting heavy loads, and allowing for vertical movement. They are essential components in industries such as petrochemical, power generation, semiconductor, refining, paper and pulp processing, and other applications where large-scale piping systems are employed.
Variable spring cans come in a variety of designs and are constructed using different materials to suit specific applications and environmental conditions. Materials commonly used for variable spring cans include carbon steel, stainless steel, and special alloys. The selection of materials is crucial to ensure that the device can withstand the corrosive effects of certain fluids or harsh environmental conditions.
A total of eight big ton spring supports, “Mega Tons” were designed and manufactured to support two reactors in a power plant weighing approximately three million pounds each. The mega ton pictured incorporated eighteen individual spring coils to produce a load capacity of approximately 602,000 lb. and a spring rate of 112,500 lb./in. It was designed with eight Bronzphite® slide plates that measured 12″ x 12″. The 12″ x 12″ slide plate selection was based upon the ability to position individual squares across the load flange surface while simultaneously providing the total slide plate surface area required to support the operating loads.
By using individual slide plate squares, the fabrication and assembly time was reduced because a standardized mounting procedure could be incorporated and repeated as necessary for each big-ton load flange subassembly. Overall, the slide plates were incorporated into the design to reduce the horizontal forces which would be imparted onto the big-ton spring’s load flange during lateral deflection (movement) of the reactor.
Bronzphite® slide plates, in particular, were selected because these big-tons will be used in a location which will see continuous “cold-to-hot” operating cycles and as a result, the robust nature of Bronzphite® proved more advantageous than other types of slide plates. The other two designs used nine slide plates, one with fifteen individual coils to produce an operating load of 594,000 lb. and a spring rate of 250,050 lb./in. The other design had an operating load of 285,000 lb. and a spring rate of 106,000 lb./in.
In addition to designing and manufacturing the Mega Ton spring supports, we were tasked with testing them to confirm they would operate in the actual conditions for which they were designed to operate at the requested loads. Therefore, we custom designed and manufactured a test apparatus and incorporated the use of a special load cell to ensure proper operation throughout the entire working range of the coils. The “mega tons” were then set to the cold (installed) load as specified. Testing was developed and done by our in-house manufacturing, quality and engineering teams.
PT&P designed and manufactured 48 constant spring supports for a power plant in Mexico. The constants pictured above are Fig. 200 U-type constant spring supports fabricated from A-36 carbon steel and include PTFE, 25% glass-filled slide plates bonded to the load flange. The supports are 39″ H x 26″ W x 80″ L and are designed for operating loads up to 8,200 lb., with a total travel of 11-1/2″. These are horizontal constants designed to support piping from below in conjunction with a pipe saddle. All the constants went through standard load and travel testing per MSS Standards prior to shipment.
Constant spring supports find applications in various fields and can be made from diverse materials tailored to specific end applications. These supports are integral in industries such as petrochemicals, LNG, refining, power generation, steel mills, and geothermal plants, among others. In the past, obtaining a custom-designed constant spring support posed a significant challenge in terms of both design and manufacturing, with lead times extending to a minimum of 6-8 weeks.
Through a dedicated focus on manufacturing optimization and employing a design-centric engineering approach, we have successfully reduced the required time by more than half. Now, the process of acquiring custom constant spring supports is significantly streamlined. In fact, we are capable of fulfilling emergency orders in less than 24 hours, taking into account the client’s location and urgent requirements.
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