Fuel Cell Technology: PT&P's Role in Tomorrow's Energy Production

August 31, 1995

PT&P has received a contract to design, develop and furnish all of the supporting systems for a 250 kW fuel cell unit prototype. Greg P. Michaels and Kishor Bhalara represented PT&P in this venture, designing the alloy supports for the piping and equipment. See below for a look at the fuel cell. PT&P’s contributions are shown in dark green.

Fuel cell technology is a cutting-edge advance in the field of energy production. Though in principle fuel cells have been in development for over 150 years, today’s refinements and prototypes have put the units closer to commercial availability than ever before. During the “space race” of the 1950s and 1960s, NASA launched fuel cells into space for electrical generation on its Gemini and Apollo missions. Today, they are regularly used in space shuttle missions. Until recently, the high cost of fuel cells made them prohibitively expensive for commercial use. However, experts are now predicting a drop in the price per fuel cell kilowatt, and have even ventured that as much as 60,000 MW of power will be produced by fuel cell in the year 2010.

The fuel cell works on a simple though significant principle. Fuel cells produce power by converting chemical energy directly into electrical energy, without requiring work like that done by a rotating generator. As the need for mechanical work is eliminated, the efficiency of the fuel cell increases dramatically. If a fuel cell takes advantage of cogeneration technology as well, the overall efficiency of the unit skyrockets to between 80 and 90 percent, unheard of in conventional power generation schemes. See the diagram below for a look at PT&P’s contributions to this revolutionary advance in energy production technology.

Piping Technology and Products, Inc. is thrilled to be a part of this piece of history. This prototype is certain to profoundly affect the way the world gets its power in the future. PT&P continues to look toward the twenty-first century in our quest for innovation and excellence.

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Corrosion Problems? Fight Back with Hot Dip Galvanizing

August 21, 1995

Many piping groups in E&C firms are reviewing their strategies for combating corrosion in piping components. The history of Piping Technology & Products, Inc. has been strongly influenced by industry efforts to combat corrosion, which has always been a major problem at Gulf Coast U.S.A. petrochemical plants. The bolted design we developed for variable springs was originally justified as a quality improvement for hot dipped galvanized finish. This approach allows the spring to be assembled and calibrated with no welding after galvanizing. Prior to this PT&P innovation, the heat from welding could damage both the finish of the welded component and the neoprene coating of the spring coil inside the can. The thousands of springs we have supplied with hot dipped galvanized finish and neoprene-coated coils have proven the validity of this approach as the most cost-effective way to prevent corrosion.

Hot dip galvanizing is a unique process which develops a metallurgical bond of zinc-iron alloy between the zinc coating and the steel product it protects. It provides a continuous layer barrier which physically isolates the steel from the environment. Painting, on the other hand, is a barrier coating which is subject to damage from contact (scratching). Hot dip galvanizing provides a much longer life than painting in corrosive environments partly because zinc forms protective oxide and carbonate films which reduce the rate of corrosion dramatically. Steel exposed to the same environment will corrode at a rate of about twenty-five times the rate of zinc. Zinc also resists accelerated local corrosion even when its outer film has been broken or scratched. The actual rate varies with the electrolyte at the surface.

We provide various types of finishes for corrosion. Contact us for the right finish for your application.


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Plant Expansion Promises Bright Future

August 15, 1995

This fall marks the beginning of our plant expansion to over 240,000 square feet— an increase of more than 42%

This expansion will help maximize Piping Technology’s plant safety and efficiency. We are adding a covered loading dock to facilitate pickups and deliveries from trucks, regardless of the weather. We will also be paving and covering our large shipping yard. Wall lights and skylights in the warehouse will improve its appearance and the new ventilation systems and fireproof exit corridors we will be installing will boost our emergency safety capabilities. Finally, the entire plant will be made wheelchair-accessible and in accordance with all ADA specifications and regulations. A diagram of the plant can be seen below, with the proposed expansion highlighted in blue

Plant Expansion
Proposed Plant Expansion: The blue area indicates the shop space being added

Completion of PT&P’s expansion is targeted for early 1996. This means that next year, and in years to come, PT&P customers can look forward to heightened production, speedier delivery, and maximum efficiency from Piping Technology. Don’t forget to come out and see the beautiful new addition to our plant next year we can’t wait to show you around!

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