Equipment Supports: Selecting the Right one for Confirming Stability and Safety

II JAY SHRI KRISHNA II

Equipment Supports: A crucial but often unseen element ensures their smooth operation & safety in the intricate network of Piping Systems.

The complex setups of pipes that power our industries wouldn't function without the right support, just like a building wouldn't stand without a strong foundation. Without proper support, piping systems could become misaligned, experience excessive stress and ultimately lead to costly leaks, ruptures, or even equipment failure.

Equipment Supports: Selecting the Right one for Confirming Stability and Safety

These seemingly simple structures play a key role in maintaining pipe stability, accommodating movement due to temperature changes & transferring weight to the surrounding structure, for ensuring the stability, safety, & longevity of Piping systems.

Support Systems for Piping Equipment

This article delves into the essential role of Equipment Supports in Piping systems, exploring the different types available, the factors to consider when selecting them and the importance of safety and performance through particular design and installation.

Equipment Supports for Various Process Equipment:

The specific type of equipment support will vary depending on the equipment itself, but here's an overview of common supports used for different process equipment:

Tanks and Pressure Vessels:

Primary Supports:

Saddle Supports: Distribute the weight of the vessel evenly across a wide area.

Skirt Supports: A cylindrical shaped structures welded to the vessel and resting on a foundation.

Legs Supports: Support the vessel at multiple points, ideal for tall and heavy vessels.

Lug Supports: Also referred to as bracket supports, are structural elements used to vertically suspend vessels with a height-to-diameter ratio generally between 2:1 and 3:1. These supports are frequently utilized in applications with moderate weight-bearing capacities, moderate pressure levels, and operating temperatures not exceeding 400°C (750°F).

Lug support for equipment:

These supports deal a budget-friendly solution for make safe equipment. L-shaped brackets are directly affixed to the vessel's side using welding. These brackets then rest on columns or structural beams.

Lug supports in various patterns or designs to meet specific needs:

Ring Lug Supports: Designed to enhance stability, ring lug supports are circular reinforcements welded to the vessel's shell, ensuring even load distribution for large cylindrical vessels.

Bracketed Lug Supports: These are simple brackets, directly connect the vessel to a supporting structure.

Secondary Supports:

Guides: Stabilize the vessel against lateral movement caused by wind or earthquakes.

Snubbers: Are like a restrictive devices, limit excessive equipment movement under abnormal conditions.

Heat Exchangers:

Shell and Tube Exchangers:

Truss Supports: A framework of beams and braces that distributes the weight of the exchanger.

Hangers and Rods: Install the exchanger on an elevated platform for maintenance ease.

Plate and Fin Exchangers:

Wall-Mounted Brackets: Secure the exchanger directly to a wall or support structure.

Floor Stands: For large exchangers, floor stands provide a sturdy base for support.

Reactors and Distillation Columns:

Similar to Pressure Vessels: Due to their tall and often pressurized nature, support needs are similar to pressure vessels with a combination of saddle supports, legs, and guides for stability.

Additional Considerations:

Expansion Joints: Expansion joints can be included to compensate for thermal expansion in tall columns.

Truss Systems: Complex support structures may be needed for very tall reactors or distillation columns.

Pumps and Compressors:

Baseplates: These are securely fastened to the floor, provide a stable foundation for equipment, preventing movement and ensuring safety.

Vibration Isolators: Rubber or spring-based isolators absorb vibration and prevent it from transferring to the surrounding piping or structure.

Pipe Supports: Separate supports are used for the connected piping to prevent strain on the pump/compressor casing.

General Considerations:

Material Choice: Supports should be compatible with the equipment material and process environment to resist corrosion.

Flexibility: Supports should allow for some thermal expansion without compromising stability.

Accessibility: Design should facilitate easy maintenance & inspection of the equipment.

Seismic Requirements: Seismic design requirements mandate that structures in earthquake-prone regions be engineered to resist seismic loads.

Very important, when selecting & installing equipment supports, it is crucial to follow established industry practices and standards, including the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Consulting with a qualified engineer is recommended to ensure the chosen supports meet the specific requirements of our process equipment.

Why are Equipment Supports Important?

Maintaining Pipe Alignment: Supports play a crucial role in maintaining pipe alignment, preventing excessive sagging, bending, or vibration. Misalignment can generate high stress levels in pipe joints, increasing the probability of fatigue-induced failures.

Accommodating Movement: Pipes expand & contract due to temperature changes. Supports allow for this movement while keeping the pipes within their designated range.

Transferring Weight: Supports bear the weight of the pipes & their contents, transferring this load to the building structure or foundation.

Handling External Forces: Supports help pipes withstand external forces like wind, seismic activity, or accidental impact.

Types of Equipment Supports in Piping:

Primary Supports (Direct Attachment):

Pipe Shoes: Designed to secure the pipe's base and prevent vertical movement.

Pipe Saddles: Wrapping around the pipe to provide support along its side, can be modified to fit various pipe diameters & installation requirements.

Pipe Hangers: Secure pipes, to overhead structures utilizing rods, beams and turnbuckles.

Secondary Supports (Indirect Control):

Springs: Absorb vibration & accommodate thermal expansion.

Guides: Permit, axial movement while simultaneously preventing lateral motion.

Struts and Sway Braces: Provide stability against lateral forces.

Snubbers: Restrain excessive movement during abnormal condition.

A Snubber for equipment supports is a cylindrical device with a pipe attachment on one end and a flange or other attachment mechanism on the other end. The pipe attachment is fixed to the supported component, and the flange or other connection method is anchored to the external structure. The snubber itself may contain a piston or other mechanical device that engages under certain conditions to limit movement.

Here's a description of how Snubbers work:

Function: They typically come into role during unexpected events like earthquakes, sudden pressure surges, or other situations that cause the equipment to experience more significant movement than usual.

Mechanism: When such an event occurs, the snubber is activated & involves a restraining mechanism to prevent the equipment from moving beyond its designated safe range. This helps to:

Lessen damage to both, the equipment and nearby piping.

Maintain process stability by preventing excessive movement that could disrupt fluid flow or other operational aspects.

Here are some additional points to note about Snubbers:

Not for ordinary use: They are not meant to be constantly engaged & typically remain inactive during normal operation.

Types of snubbers: Different types of snubbers, such as hydraulic or mechanical, exist, each employing distinct operating mechanisms to fulfill their specific functions.

Selection and design: The selection and design of a snubber, depend on the specific equipment, potential loads it might encounter & the surrounding environment.

Overall, snubbers are mainly ensuring the safety & stability of equipment supports during unforeseen circumstances.

Choosing the Right Equipment Support:

The selection of equipment supports is influenced by a variety of factors, including:

Pipe size and weight

Fluid type and pressure

Operating temperature range

Expected movement due to thermal expansion

External loads (wind, seismic, etc.)

Important Considerations for Equipment Supports:

Material Selection: Supports should be compatible with the pipe material and the process fluid to prevent corrosion.

Strength and Durability: Supports need to be strong enough to handle the anticipated loads without deformation.

Ease of Installation and Maintenance: Supports should be designed for efficient installation and allow for future adjustments or replacements.

Compliance with Standards: Supports must comply with relevant industry standards and codes for safety & functionality.

Additional Information on Equipment Supports:

Here are some additional details to consider when it comes to Equipment Supports:

No Universal Solution: The ideal support solution depends heavily on the specific equipment, process conditions, and even the layout of the facility. A good understanding of these factors is crucial for proper selection.

Pipe Connections: The way pipes connect to the equipment can influence support selection. Flanged connections offer more flexibility than welded connections, which may require additional support to accommodate thermal expansion.

Maintenance Considerations: Supports should be designed with require maintenance in mind. Removable sections or hatches in support structures can facilitate easy access to equipment for inspection, repair, or replacement.

Safety Features: Safety should be a primary concern. Secondary supports like snubbers & guides ensure equipment remains stable even during unexpected events. Installing tie-down anchor points can prevent equipment from moving during maintenance, minimizing the risk of accidents.

Material Selection Shades: Beyond just corrosion resistance, consider the weight of the equipment and operating temperature. High temperatures might necessitate using high-strength alloys or refractory materials for supports.

Documentation: Proper documentation of chosen supports is essential, about design details, material specifications, load ratings, and installation instructions. This documentation proves compliance with standards & aids in future maintenance or modifications.

Improved Support Systems: For complex systems or equipment experiencing high vibration, specialized support solutions may be necessary. These can include active vibration isolation systems or specially designed support structures to manage specific load conditions.

Conclusion:

By understanding the importance and carefully selecting equipment supports, considering all additional factors, you can ensure a safe, reliable, long-lasting and comprehensive Piping system.

Remember, consulting with experienced engineers familiar with your specific industry & process is highly suggested. They can guide you towards the most appropriate & safe equipment support solutions.

We will delve deeper to understand above said primary and secondary supports in piping with details in coming Piping Support blogs…. till then

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