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Built for Real-World Vertical Support: Custom Riser Clamp Assemblies That Hold the Line
July 21, 2025

Pipe Clamp Assemblies Custom Designed for a Partial Oxidation Unit in a Synthetic Gas Plant

When vertical piping in a high-pressure system starts to shift, everything downstream is at risk. Hanger misalignment, accessory failure, and field delays would be the least of your worries when vertical pipe systems experience axial displacement. 

That’s where Piping Technology & Products’ custom riser clamp assemblies deliver assurance engineers can count on. With the proper design specifications, PTP can manufacture precision riser clamps that ensure secure and reliable product delivery.

Purpose-Built for Vertical Load Control

Riser clamp assemblies are specifically engineered for vertical pipe systems where axial movement must be restricted. It is not a one-size-fits-all product. Each assembly is fabricated to fit exact pipe diameter, temperature, and load specifications, most commonly for critical process lines in synthetic gas, petrochemical, or tall vertical rack applications.

At its core, the assembly relies on a heavy-duty steel clamp secured around the pipe, working in tandem with thrust plates to manage axial loads. 

For high-heat applications, manufacturers utilize A387 alloy steel (rated for service temperatures of 750°F to 1,000°F) and a high-temperature coating that won’t degrade or flake under scorching conditions.

Once installed, the clamp limits movement in the downward direction, ensuring the pipe doesn’t slip under load or due to temperature expansion. Engineers often pair the clamp with spring hangers or sway struts for a complete load path solution.

Real-World Application: Synthetic Gas Plant Retrofit

At the request of a synthetic gas facility, PTP engineered a custom riser clamp assembly for their high-temperature vertical piping. We used Alloy A387, a heat-resistant steel specifically selected for service temperatures reaching up to 1,000°F, to fabricate this assembly. 

To ensure performance under thermal cycling, we coated the clamp with a high-temperature industrial-grade coating designed to withstand prolonged exposure without degradation. By preventing vertical slippage during system startup, the clamp maintained alignment integrity and eliminated the risk of early rework or other types of damage to the pipeline.

Common Use Cases for Riser Clamp Assemblies

Riser pipe clamp assemblies serve a critical role in applications where vertical piping must be securely supported and restrained. 

Engineers commonly use them on vertical risers in fired heater loops, where high temperatures and axial loads demand reliable restraint. They also support tall structural pipe racks in petrochemical plants, ensuring alignment across multi-level piping systems. 

In high-rise and offshore environments, riser clamps provide secure anchoring for firewater systems subject to seismic or dynamic loading. Additionally, LNG facilities rely on them for vertical steam lines that require thermal movement control and long-term integrity.

Key Benefits for Field Execution

PT&P’s custom riser clamp assemblies provide clear advantages for vertical piping systems. 

They prevent pipe slippage by firmly securing the line in place, ensuring axial stability under load. 

Each assembly is custom-sized to match the exact pipe outer diameter, specified load, and temperature range, eliminating fit-up issues during installation. 

PT&P designs these supports to handle pipe sizes up to 48 inches and fabricates them with high-temperature materials and coatings that perform reliably in scorching environments. 

Engineers apply Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to optimize steel thickness, reduce excess material, and validate structural integrity. 

By managing design, fabrication, and delivery in-house, PT&P minimizes handoffs and reduces the risk of delays or errors throughout the supply chain.

Why Engineers Choose Riser Clamp Assemblies

Engineers value this clamp for its precision and structural integrity. Load ratings are validated through FEA, ensuring that the clamp can stand against almost any surprise event. For jobs with elevated temperatures or non-standard loads, our custom approach removes guesswork from spec compliance.

Why Project Managers Chose Riser Clamp Assemblies

What sets these clamps apart is how they minimize scope creep. 

When clamp assemblies are properly designed from the start, there’s no field modification, no install surprises, and fewer RFIs. The result: less rework, better schedule control, and a clear value add during procurement planning.

Other Items Often Purchased with Riser Pipe Clamp Assemblies

Talk to an Engineer

Need a riser clamp that fits your piping system? Our team is ready to review your load, pipe size, and environment to build the right assembly fast.

Request a Quote or Talk to an Engineer today.

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Trunnion Base ELL (Elbow) Pipe Supports for Cryogenic Piping: Proven Thermal Isolation and Custom Fit
July 14, 2025
Trunnion Base ELL Supports for a Cryogenic Line
Trunnion Base ELL Supports for a Cryogenic Line

What is a Trunnion Pipe Support?

A trunnion pipe support is a structural component used to support a piping system and is connected directly to the process line. It functions as a secondary pipe element, helping hold the main line in position for stability.  ASME standards guide their application and analysis to ensure safety and reliability, particularly in high-energy piping and under various operating conditions. 

In standard applications, trunnions are used to:

  • Support sections of pipe vulnerable to weight or stress
  • Help manage pressure at directional changes like elbows
  • Provides added stability and structural strength by helping reinforce the system at critical load points
  • Prevent displacement under heavy loads or external forces

In cryogenic systems, however, added challenges emerge. Maintaining thermal insulation at support points is critical. Without it, heat transfer through the support could lead to the evaporation of liquids into gases, cause condensation, and/or result in ice buildup. Over time, this can damage the pipe or disrupt flow.

Custom Trunnion Base ELL Pipe Supports for Cryogenic LNG Applications

Trunnions Designed with Insulation for an LNG Facility
Trunnions Designed with Insulation for an LNG Facility

At an LNG gasification facility, our customer required pipe supports that could prevent the transfer of heat and provide trunnion-like stability and strength. Piping Technology & Products collaborated closely with the client to design a customized solution that met both mechanical and thermal performance requirements.

The result was a trunnion base ELL support with a layered construction: an A36 carbon steel base, an integrated insulation block, and a stainless steel pipe saddle. This configuration prevented heat transfer between the pipe and the support.

By incorporating an insulation block into this design, we prevented heat transfer from the trunnion pipe support to the process line, which is a feature that a standard trunnion does not offer. The trunnion keeps the cold pipe separated from warmer support steel, suppressing frost build-up at the base and pipe rack. The pre-insulated support design maintained a steady temperature for the LNG from Point A to Point B, preventing it from warming up and converting from a liquid into a gas.

What Is a Trunnion Base ELL Support and How Does It Work? 

A trunnion base ELL support for LNG applications is a specialized insulated pipe support designed for cold-service and cryogenic process lines. It supports the main pipe while creating a thermal break between the pipe and the support base.

Unlike standard trunnions, which are not designed to address thermal integrity, this design minimizes thermal bridging. 

It typically uses:

  • A carbon steel base for structural strength
  • A block insulation layer to isolate temperature
  • A stainless steel pipe saddle that connects to the process pipe

Where Trunnion Base ELL Supports Are Used

Trunnion base ELL supports are specifically designed for cold-service environments where thermal performance is critical. 

They are commonly used in LNG liquefaction and gasification facilities, where maintaining sub-zero temperatures is essential to system operations and safety. These supports also play a key role in ethylene and ammonia plants, which use chilled piping to move process materials while minimizing energy loss. 

In all cases, the design enables operators to move product from one stage to the next without experiencing temperature changes, condensation, or structural complications caused by frost buildup.

Key Field Benefits

  • Thermal isolation is built in; it prevents cold pipe surfaces from transferring extreme temperatures to structural steel, helping maintain safe operating loads without added field insulation.
  • Reduces condensation, prevents ice formation, and pipe damage
  • Custom-fit to specification for pipe sizes ranging from 2 in. to 60 in., fitting cleanly into the line
  • Supports heavy vertical loads while preserving pipe wall integrity
  • Material matched to the parent pipe  to maintain mechanical and chemical compatibility
  • Delivered fast, often within weeks, even for custom builds
  • Provides rigid support in low-movement areas, preventing pipe sag or collapse in static runs or where line displacement is minimal.
  • Helps reduce stress at elbows and vertical transitions, reinforcing piping in high-pressure or structurally sensitive locations.

Why Engineers Choose Trunnion Base ELL Supports

Engineers specify trunnion base ELL supports when thermal isolation is non-negotiable. These supports are sized according to the process pipe’s outside diameter and insulation thickness, ensuring a proper interface without modifying the pipe’s thermal envelope. 

The materials used, including carbon steel (for areas not in direct contact with the process line), high-performance insulation, and stainless steel, are known to perform reliably in environments that reach as low as -300°F.

Why Project Managers Trust It

Project managers rely on trunnion base ELL supports to avoid the common pitfalls that delay cold-service projects. Because the insulation is integrated into the support design, there’s no need to coordinate separate insulation crews or handle last-minute RFIs about support height or fit-up. 

Eliminating this extra field work speeds up installation, lowers labor coordination complexity, and reduces the risk of frost-related damage during startup. By arriving job-ready and material-matched, these supports enable faster handoff to commissioning teams and help keep the schedule on track.

Related Products Commonly Purchased

Why Choose Piping Technology for Your Cryogenic Pipe Supports

We deliver custom-engineered cryogenic pipe supports built to meet the exact demands of cold-service environments. 

Our in-house team manages the entire fabrication process, from material selection to final delivery, providing you with tighter control over schedule and quality. 

For complex or high-load applications, we can perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to verify stress points and optimize steel thickness for performance and safety. With decades of experience and a proven track record in LNG, ammonia, and ethylene systems, we provide both the technical expertise and manufacturing speed your project requires.

Speak with an Engineer about trunnion support specifications or Request a Quote for your next cryogenic line.

 

 

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Pipe Support Walkdowns
July 7, 2025

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Even the best-designed piping systems can deteriorate over time or encounter challenges due to improper installation or maintenance cycles that need updating.  

A pipe support that’s even half an inch too low can throw off alignment, especially for sensitive rotating equipment. Improper alignment of pipe shoes set at the wrong height, spring cans locked in place due to shipping, or non-functioning pipe supports can go unnoticed, and sometimes not until a costly unexpected shutdown occurs. 

A pipe support walkdown, performed by subject matter experts (SMEs), helps identify these issues before they become costly.

Solution: What is a Pipe Support Walkdown and How Does it Help?

A pipe support walkdown is a field-based verification process for any system using pipe supports or rotating equipment. 

A qualified technician or engineer inspects the installed pipe supports to confirm everything matches the design intent and is safe for operation. That means:

  • Verifying metallic expansion joints are properly aligned, anchors are secure, and shipping bars or restraints are removed to allow unrestricted axial or lateral movement during system operation.
  • Checking spring hangers are unlocked and set to the right load.
  • Verifying hold-downs, clamps, and anchors are tightened and positioned correctly.
  • Catching missing or incorrectly installed components before startup.
  • Ensuring fabric expansion joints are installed without twisting or distortion, frames are properly sealed, and flow direction indicators are correctly oriented to prevent leaks or premature wear.

A pipe support walkdown is not paperwork review. It’s boots-on-the-ground risk prevention.

 

Key Safety and Performance Benefits

  • Prevents startup failures by identifying locked supports, improper loading, or misalignment.
  • Protects against stress failures like cracked welds or ruptured anchors
  • Verifies load positions so pipe weight transfers as intended
  • Quickly identifies worn or failing rubber, fabric and metallic expansion joints
  • Confirms movement clearance for thermal expansion
  • Reduces incident risk for maintenance and operations teams

Engineer’s Take: Technical Insurance for the System

Walkdowns provide engineers with a final check on real-world variables, such as actual pipe weights, true centerlines, and friction conditions. They’re essential for validating that thermal movement will be absorbed by the system as designed, not resisted due to incorrect installation. For supports like spring hangers and slide plates, this is the only way to confirm field settings match the spec.

 

Project Manager’s Take: Stop Delays Before They Start

For PMs, plant walk downs are a high-leverage activity. One afternoon walk can prevent weeks of delay from an avoidable error. They reduce RFIs, holdbacks, and rework providing owners with confidence during system turnover. By validating installs, walk-downs keep your project on schedule and helps avoid costly failures and shutdowns.

 

Pipe Supports to Check and Verify During Walkdowns

  • Variable spring hangers
  • Constant supports
  • Rubber, fabric, and metallic expansion joints
  • Sway struts, snubbers, and anchors
  • And more

 

Contact our field service team to schedule a pipe support walkdown today. Reduce risk. Validate performance. Finish strong.

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