Blog Category: ENGINEERED SPRING SUPPORTS

F-Type Variable Spring Supports Designed for a Chemical Processing Plant

May 19, 2026

PT&P manufactured F-type variable spring supports spring supports for a chemical processing plant in Texas.

These variable spring supports were designed with an internal guide and engineered to accommodate 0.09 inches of vertical movement. The units were specified for a 5,350 lb. cold load and a 5,450 lb. hot load, ensuring proper load support throughout operating conditions.

A key design challenge for this project involved the required hydro-test load. The supports needed to withstand a hydro-test load exceeding 33,000 lbs, which significantly surpassed the standard maximum hydro-test capacity of approximately 18,000 lbs.

To address this requirement, PT&P incorporated special collars in conjunction with the standard travel stops. These collars were specifically engineered to absorb the extreme hydro-test loads by utilizing the high-strength characteristics of the load flange and housing assembly, while effectively bypassing the threaded internal components of the spring support.

This custom solution provided the strength and reliability required for the application while maintaining the operational functionality of the variable spring assembly.

Custom Big Ton Springs Designed for a 122,000 lb. Load for a Chemical Plant

May 4, 2026

Type:	Big Ton Spring Supports
Size:	52-3/4″ L x 38-3/4″ W x 91″ H
Design:	121,916 lb. Load \| 3/4″ Upwards Movement
Material:	HDG Carbon Steel \| Neoprene Coated Springs
Testing:	Load Calibration Test \| Hydro-tested

Piping Technology & Products (PT&P) custom-designed a big ton spring support for a chemical plant in Pennsylvania to support a vessel with a load exceeding 121,916 lbs and accommodating 3/4 inch of upward movement.

The unit measures 52-3/4″ L x 38-3/4″ W x 91″ H and was engineered to handle substantial loads while allowing controlled movement within a confined space. Big Ton spring supports are specifically designed for heavy-duty applications, including vessels, compressors, and pumps in power and petrochemical facilities.

By incorporating a compact, high-capacity support solution, PT&P helped the client avoid a costly redesign of the piping system, delivering both engineering efficiency and cost savings.

This unit features an internal guide and a specially designed pedestal to meet the required elevation and withstand hydro-test loading conditions. A load calibration test was conducted prior to shipment to ensure performance and accuracy.

This project demonstrates PT&P’s ability to provide custom-engineered solutions for extreme load conditions, combining reliability, precision, and cost-effective design.

Type-C Variable Assemblies with Dual Travelers for a De-coker Unit

March 23, 2026

Type:	Variables with dual travelers
Design:	Operating load: 1,698-21,756 lbs
Material:	A36 Carbon Steel with HDG finish
Size:	Horizontal Travelers range from size 2 to size 4

Piping Technology & Products designed and manufactured custom dual travelers with type-C variable spring hanger assemblies for valve applications in a de-coker unit in Texas.

In a delayed coker unit, piping systems are concentrated around coke drums, switch valves, and overhead lines where they are exposed to extreme thermal cycling, vibration, and continuous operational switching. These conditions create significant movement and stress in the piping, which, if not properly supported and managed, can transfer excessive loads into critical components like valves and drum nozzles. Over time, this leads to fatigue cracking, misalignment, and premature equipment failure—resulting in leaks, costly unplanned shutdowns, and serious safety risks. Reliable piping support solutions are essential in these environments to control movement, protect critical assets, and ensure continuous, safe operation of the unit.

Dual-travel assemblies are especially useful in cokers, where large thermal movements, load variability, and tight spatial constraints all come into play. Instead of specifying an oversized spring with long travel (which may not fit), a dual traveler design provides the required movement capacity within a compact envelope while maintaining proper load control and protecting valve connections.

Fabricated from A36 carbon steel with a hot-dip galvanized (HDG) finish, these assemblies provide durability and corrosion resistance in demanding refinery environments. The dual traveler design accommodates up to 12 inches of horizontal movement, helping to reduce stress on piping and connected equipment.

The Type-C variable spring hangers were engineered to support operating loads ranging from 1,698 to 21,756 pounds, ensuring reliable load control throughout system operation.

This project highlights PT&P’s competitive advantage in delivering fully engineered, field-proven solutions that address complex challenges in both new and existing piping systems. By combining custom design, in-house manufacturing, and rigorous testing, PT&P ensures each solution performs reliably under extreme thermal movement and operating conditions. Our ability to integrate with pre-existing piping layouts, while maintaining system integrity and protecting critical equipment, enables customers to implement solutions that work in practice quickly, resulting in improved reliability, reduced downtime, and long-term operational confidence.

Constant Spring Supports for Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG)

March 9, 2026

PT&P custom-designed constant spring support assemblies for a heat recovery steam generator at a combined-cycle power plant. These power plants utilize gas turbines, steam turbines, heat exchangers along with other components to make use of “exhaust waste” for a more efficient system. These 200-F Type constants were fabricated from A36 carbon steel and include a hot-dipped galvanized finish. The spring coils are 0units are installed beneath the supported equipment and are engineered to allow controlled vertical movement (upward and downward) as required by the application.

The dimensions are 13″ W x 31″ L x 18-1/2″ H. Standard load and travel tests along with a quality control inspection were conducted prior to shipment. Since the mid-1970s, we have been working with power plants and have deep expertise in the evolution of power plant design over the last 40+ years, including the impact that it has had on Pipe Stress Engineering requirements.

We have supplied products and services to a wide range of power generation facilities, including coal, natural gas, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants. As a leading global provider of expansion joints, engineered pipe supports, and pipe stress engineering services, we deliver integrated, innovative solutions capable of addressing even the most complex and demanding project challenges.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 01062021

Constant Spring Supports with Stainless Steel & Graphite Slide Plates

December 22, 2025

Type:	Constant Spring Supports
Size:	35-7/16″ Height & 75-3/4″ Length
Material:	A36 Carbon Steel with HDG \| 304 Stainless Steel
Design:	9″ Total Travel at 979°F \| Operating Load 6,183 lb.
Testing:	Hydro tested at 6,744 lb.

These products are used across a wide range of industrial facilities worldwide, including petroleum refineries, renewable diesel plants, chemical processing facilities (such as propane/propylene splitter units), and power plants. PT&P has the capability to custom design and manufacture constant spring supports for specific load requirements and diverse environmental conditions. Notably, just last year we supplied similar constant spring supports carrying loads in excess of 150,000 lb for crude oil processing at one of the largest refineries in the world.

Petroleum refineries convert crude oil into products such as jet fuel, gasoline, polypropylene, polyethylene, propane, sulfur, carbon black feedstock, and diesel, which are used for transportation, heating, chemical feedstocks, power generation, renewable energy applications, and roadway paving.

Constant spring supports use a spring coil or series of coils to accommodate pipe movement from the installed (cold) condition to the operating (hot) condition. A defining feature of constant supports is that the supported load remains uniform throughout the entire deflection range, ensuring no variation in load on the piping or connected equipment.

These 200 U-Type constant spring supports with slide plates were designed for a plant in Texas. They are fabricated from A36 carbon steel with an HDG finish and are typically designed for vertical movement only. However, when there is lateral or axial movement in the piping system, slide plates can be used in conjunction with these constants. In this instance, graphite slide plates are bolted to the constant’s load flange and used with an upper slide plate manufactured from 304 stainless steel with a mirror finish. The upper slide plate can be welded to the base of a pipe shoe, trunnion, or the saddle of a pressure vessel. Each of the constant spring dimensions is 35-7/16″ in height and 75-3/4″ in length. They are designed for a piping system with 9″ of total travel at 979°F and an operating load of 6,183 lb. Each of these units were load tested to meet the hydro test load of 6,744 lb. before shipment.
Learn more about constant spring supports.

Custom All Stainless Steel Variable Spring Supports for a Floating LNG Platform in Singapore

December 1, 2025

Type:	Variable Spring Supports
Material:	Alloy 2205 Duplex/SAE 5160H
Design:	Operating Load up to 3,597 lbs./Operating Temperatures of -15-200°F
Testing:	Standard Load & Travel Tests

Variable spring supports use helical coils to carry pipe loads while accommodating vertical movement. Because coil resistance changes with compression, the supported load varies through the operating range—hence the term “variable.” These supports are commonly used under rotating equipment (pumps, compressors) to reduce transmitted vibration and mitigate piping stresses. We manufacture multiple design configurations and offer extensive customization of materials, finishes, load ranges, travel, adjustment mechanisms, travel stops, and optional monitoring instrumentation.

For this project, we supplied custom variable spring supports for an FLNG platform in Singapore. The housings were fabricated from 2205 duplex stainless to address chloride-induced corrosion, and the coils were produced from SAE 5160H for improved corrosion and fatigue resistance. Installed heights ranged from 10-3/4″ to 12-1/16″, with operating loads up to 3,597 lb. Verification included load testing at -15°F and liquid penetrant inspection of all welds. The assemblies are rated for a service temperature range of -14°F to 200°F without reduction in load capacity.

We provide a full range of pipe supports and expansion joints for offshore service, including cryogenic systems on floating platforms for LNG transfer. Our engineering and field teams have supported subsea and topside inspections, including offshore dive assessments for emergency evaluations.

Our variable spring cans are designed for FLNG applications requiring predictable load behavior under thermal expansion, vertical displacement, and dynamic operating conditions. Manufacturing capabilities cover wide load and travel ranges in compact envelopes suited to topside modular layouts. We support material selection across carbon steel, stainless, duplex, Inconel, and other alloys to meet project-specific corrosion, weight, and compatibility requirements. All units undergo in-house load testing, hydrostatic proofing where applicable, and QA/QC in accordance with offshore and global project standards. Typical applications include supports for compressors, heat exchangers, risers, separation trains, and other critical process lines.

As FLNG deployment continues to grow at ~10% annually, PT&P and its subsidiaries are supporting associated infrastructure across renewable and clean-energy sectors. We have engineered and delivered products for solar, wind, water, geothermal, bioenergy, nuclear, hydrogen, and fuel-cell projects worldwide.

How Pipe Supports Safeguard Power Infrastructure

November 7, 2025

Adjustable pipe supports help protect power infrastructure.

In power generation, every component plays a critical role in maintaining operational efficiency and safety. Among these, adjustable pipe supports often operate out of sight but are fundamental to the integrity of the entire plant. From the superheated steam lines of a fossil fuel plant to the intricate cooling systems of a nuclear facility, piping networks transport immense pressures and extreme temperatures. Without proper support, these forces would lead to catastrophic failures, leaks, and expensive downtime. Adjustable pipe supports are specifically designed to manage dynamic loads, thermal expansion, and seismic activity associated with power plant operations, ensuring that critical piping remains precisely aligned and stress-free.

The Dynamic Environment of Power Generation

Power plants are environments of extremes. Pipes can experience:

Intense Thermal Expansion and Contraction: As fluids (steam, water, gas) heat up and cool down, pipes expand and contract significantly. Fixed supports would either be torn apart or create dangerous stress points on the piping.
High Pressures and Loads: The sheer weight of thick-walled pipes, combined with the pressure and weight of the fluid they carry, creates substantial static and dynamic loads.
Vibration and Oscillation: Turbines, pumps, and other rotating equipment generate vibrations that can propagate through piping, leading to fatigue if not correctly managed.
Seismic Activity: In many regions, power plants must be designed to withstand earthquakes, requiring supports that can absorb shock and prevent uncontrolled movement.

Adjustable pipe supports are engineered to counteract these forces. They allow for controlled movement in specific directions while restraining others, distributing weight evenly, and preventing undue stress on welds, flanges, and sensitive equipment.

Types of Adjustable Supports and Their Applications

Piping Technology and Products produces custom variable spring supports.

Variable Spring Hangers/Supports: Ideal for situations where vertical movement due to thermal expansion is significant, but the load also changes slightly. They “give” a little, allowing for movement while still providing continuous support.
Constant Spring Hangers/Supports: Critical for highly sensitive applications where the pipe’s vertical movement is extensive, but the load on the pipe support must remain constant throughout that movement range. This prevents overstressing critical equipment, such as turbines or boilers.
Rigid Hangers/Supports (with Adjustability): While appearing rigid, these often incorporate adjustment mechanisms to ensure precise initial alignment and accommodate minor shifts over time. They are crucial for maintaining fixed positions or guiding movement.
Snubbers (Hydraulic/Mechanical): These devices act as shock absorbers, allowing slow, normal thermal movement but locking instantly to prevent rapid movement caused by seismic events, water hammer, or turbine trips.
Custom-Engineered Solutions: Often, standard supports aren’t enough. The power industry frequently requires custom designs for unique load requirements, complex geometries, or highly corrosive environments.
Adjustable Pipe Supports: These supports enable precise alignment during installation and operation, accommodate slight variations, and prevent undue stress on piping components. This adaptability helps manage the extreme forces from thermal expansion and dynamic loads.

The PT&P Advantage: Precision Engineering for the Best Performance

For power plant managers, engineers, and maintenance teams, the stakes are incredibly high. Downtime is measured in millions of dollars, and safety comes first. This is where Piping Technology and Products (PT&P) comes in: with solutions that deliver critical asset protection for the power industry.

With decades of specialized expertise in high-stress environments, our adjustable pipe supports are designed not only to meet but to exceed the rigorous demands of your power plant.

PT&P’s commitment to quality ensures that every adjustable pipe support—whether a standard component or a custom-fabricated solution—is built for extreme durability and precise performance. This means:

Reduced Stress on Piping & Equipment: Preventing leaks, premature wear, and costly repairs.
Enhanced Safety: Reducing risks of catastrophic failure and ensuring compliance with stringent industry regulations.
More Uptime: Reliable supports contribute directly to consistent plant operation and electricity generation.
Extended Asset Lifespan: Protecting your significant investment in piping infrastructure and critical machinery.

Improve Your Plant’s Stability and Safety

Discover how PT&P’s engineered adjustable pipe supports can optimize your infrastructure for better performance and system lifespan. Contact our Field Services team today for a custom assessment!

U-Type Constants Designed with Slide Plates for a Polypropylene Plant in Texas

October 27, 2025

Constants use a spring coil (or series 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 load, and the supported load will remain uniform throughout the deflection cycle.

PT&P designed and fabricated a U-Type constant spring support , with PTFE and a 25% glass-filled side plate for a polypropylene plant in Texas. The constant is fabricated from carbon steel and hot-dipped galvanized for extra protection against corrosion. The vertical movement is 1.5″ total upward travel and is capable of supporting a load of 10,350 lbs. throughout its range of movement. The constant underwent standard load testing prior to shipment.

Along with chemical plants, constant spring supports are utilized in refineries, power plants, and heat recovery steam generators (HRSG). The design of the constant spring support replaced a system of pipe support called a “counterweight” design still used in some facilities today. The counter-weight system utilized pipe clamps or lugs (attached or welded to the pipe), cables, pulleys, and a set of weights. Just like the old-fashioned brass weighing scales, weights were added to one end of the pulley system until an equilibrium was reached. The counterweight design needed a large amount of space with which to operate. Constant spring hangers replaced this system because they require much less space in order to function (similar to some designs we stand on to weigh ourselves). No matter the application, our team of experienced engineers and designers can help to resolve your pipe support needs. Please contact us via our 24×7 emergency service or send an email to [email protected].

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 08232016

F-Type Constant Spring Supports Designed and Manufactured for Gas Plant

September 29, 2025

Type:	F-Type Constant Spring Supports
Size:	36″- 87″ Length \| 24″ Height
Material:	A36 Carbon Steel \| HDG \| SS Slide Plates
Design:	13,500 lb. Load \| 250°F \| 17.5″ Travel
Testing:	Q.C. Inspection \| Load and Travel Tests

We custom-designed multiple horizontal F-Type constant spring supports for a series of offshore gas platforms located in the Persian Gulf, near the coast of Saudi Arabia. These constants feature stainless steel slide plates and are engineered for a total travel of 17.5 inches. Fabricated from carbon steel, they are hot-dipped galvanized and coated with a specialized three-layer paint system to withstand the harsh, highly corrosive environment. Per the client’s specification, the topcoat is painted “Safety Yellow” for easy identification.

To further enhance corrosion resistance, the bolting assemblies used in constructing these units were coated with a fluoropolymer, which also helps to reduce friction and wear. Each assembly measures 24 inches in height and ranges from 36 to 87 inches in length. They are designed to operate at temperatures up to 250°F and handle loads of up to 13,500 pounds. Load testing and dye penetrant inspections were performed in-house to ensure quality and reliability before shipment. Our manufacturing is based on a long test and reliability work methodology, with our roots in engineering and design when we started as a pipe stress company. In addition to manufacturing the products our customers design for their specific applications, we also conduct testing to meet both our quality standards and their requirements.

F-type constants manage loads, thermal compensation, vibration dampening, and vertical and lateral movements in piping systems. We have supplied constants for a myriad of end applications worldwide. The industries we have worked with that need this kind of product in their piping systems include:

Energy and Oil & Gas
Chemical and Petrochemicals
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
Industrials and Manufacturing
Automotive
Semiconductor
Pulp and Paper
Utilities and Power
Construction and Building Materials

We have optimized our manufacturing process to offer an unparalleled range of customization options with minimal impact on delivery timelines. In addition to our standard (hot-dipped galvanized carbon steel with neoprene-coated spring coils) constant spring supports, we can customize any material, finish, dimension, load, load adjustment, travel, and travel stops, as well as provide sensors for remote monitoring.

Historically, 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 reduced the required manufacturing time by more than half. The process of acquiring custom constant spring supports is now 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.

We can also provide the services of our well-trained field service teams for installation guidance, should it be needed.

At our Houston-based facility, we design and manufacture constant spring supports with unmatched speed and precision. Operating 24/7, we are equipped to handle both small emergency orders and large-scale production needs. Our wide range of industry expertise demonstrates our unique ability to provide solutions across the globe in every sector we serve.

Variable Spring Pipe Supports for Movement and Load Control

April 28, 2025

When pipelines expand and contract due to heat, support systems must adapt to protect capital-intensive, critical path, long-lead-time fixed equipment essential to plant operations and output. That’s where the need for variable spring pipe supports comes in to maintain the integrity of the piping systems.

These supports are designed to carry the vertical weight of the pipe while allowing for thermal movement. As temperatures change and loads change, the pipe shifts. A variable spring reacts with a moment with the compression of the spring, supporting that movement and keeping your system in balance. They help control how much and in which direction your piping moves, protecting your equipment and keeping operations safe.

Built to Perform: Custom Variable Spring Pipe Supports

At Piping Technology & Products, we recently designed and built a set of variable spring supports used in a large-scale industrial project. These supports were customized to meet the exact project specs and defined operating envelope. Each variable spring was built to:

Support loads up to 6,500 lbs
Allow up to 3 inches of movement (tighter tolerances can be achieved if required)
Include travel stops to lock movement during shipment and installation
Withstand corrosion with hot-dipped galvanized carbon steel housing and bolted design
Supplied with a pedestal to achieve a custom-installed height

Every variable spring support made by PTP is load-tested by our quality teams in our facility in Houston for quality and delivered with clear tags and instructions to simplify the installation process. We have a full-service field service team that can offer oversight during installation if desired.

Made for the Chemical Processing Industry

This project was part of a chemical processing facility—an environment where heat, pressure, and movement are constantly in flux. In these operating conditions with sometimes caustic media, proper pipe support isn’t optional. It’s critical for both safety and uptime. Our spring supports help protect piping, prevent misalignment, and reduce the risk of stress on connected equipment.

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