Blog Category: ENGINEERED SPRING SUPPORTS

Custom Designed Constant Spring Supports for a Chemical Plant in Singapore
August 23, 2022

Custom Designed Constant Spring Supports for a Chemical Plant in Singapore

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

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Compact Springs for a Chemical Manufacturing Plant for Agriculture
August 16, 2022

Compact Spring Supports Custom-Designed for a Chemical Manufacturing Plant for Agriculture

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

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

PT&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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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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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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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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