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Celebrating Dolores Anderson, Retiring AP Supervisor at PT&P
March 31, 2026

Retiring AP Supervisor Dolores Anderson retires after 361/2 years with Piping Technology and ProductsIn 1989, when Dolores Anderson walked into Piping Technology & Products’ Long Drive location for her first real job, the accounting office was literally a converted house. The company was smaller, invoices were on paper, and “paperless” wasn’t even a buzzword yet.

Today, as Dolores retires as Accounts Payable (AP) Supervisor, she leaves behind a very different operation: one that’s larger and rapidly going digital. Her career traces the transformation of accounts payable from paper files and 10-key calculators to cloud-based workflows that are a lot more complex.

This is her PT&P journey and how she’s preparing the next generation, with Accounting Clerk Aglae De La Garza, in association with longtime Accounting Team Member Virginia Parrish, to carry AP into its fully paperless future at Piping Technology & Products (PT&P). 

Dolores’s view of accounts payable is simple:

Detail matters most. In AP, “it’s so easy to make a mistake,” she explains. “Being highly detailed: Looking at all the dots and everything is really important  when you’re responsible for paying vendors correctly and on time.”

 “The AP Team, with their attention to detail, is critical in ensuring that we’re paying the vendors accurately and on time. Their relationship with our vendors is valuable when we need an urgent supply of materials or services. They work with us because of our relationship and our track record of prompt payment.” –Tim Schmitt, Vice President of Finance

The team culture at PT&P has been a nourishing and trustworthy environment where Dolores has grown personally and professionally. She repeatedly emphasizes how much she will miss “the people I work with.”

In a small accounting office where everyone knows each other well, culture is a major part of long-term success and retention.

Passing the Mantle: Training the Next Generation

As she prepares for retirement, Dolores is focused on a smooth transition. She is actively training Aglae, who will take on key AP responsibilities and help lead the function into its next chapter, which includes:

  • Attention to detail: Dolores stresses that this is the most important quality for anyone entering AP.
  • Ownership of vendor relationships: Understanding that every invoice represents a real supplier relationship and a commitment.
  • Adapting to digital tools: While Dolores had to learn each new system from scratch, Aglae will begin her AP career in an environment designed to be paperless and cloud-first.

Looking forward, Dolores is confident about where AP is headed: fully paperless and digital. While she admits the shift away from paper created some anxiety, especially after years of relying on physical documentation and filing, she now sees this as “definitely…the best way to go.”

Knowledge Transfer Across Generations

Dolores’s long tenure means decades of institutional knowledge: how things work, and where issues tend to arise. Training Aglae ensures that this knowledge doesn’t walk out the door with retirement, but is instead embedded into the next generation’s digital workflows.

Honoring the Past, Building the Future of AP at PT&P

Dolores’s story shows how a company recognizes that growth and commitment matter: honoring experience and, most importantly, investing in people.

As she retires after more than three decades, having grown from a one-person collections and order entry role to supervising AP for an expanded, multi-subsidiary operation, Dolores leaves PT&P’s accounts payable function on solid footing.

“We’re proud to have so many long-tenured employees who stay with us here at Piping Tech….across so many disciplines, our teams have chosen to grow with us: our average tenure is between 7-25 years, and that shows how much we’ve valued our people, over our 50 years as a company.”  –Monique Woodard, Director of Human Resources

PT&P is a place where people build long, meaningful careers, as Dolores did. As we invest in the next generation of talent and modernize how we work, we’re looking for detail-oriented, curious professionals who want to grow with us in an environment that values mentorship. Explore career opportunities at PT&P and help shape the next chapter of our story.

 

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Type-C Variable Assemblies with Dual Travelers for a De-coker Unit
March 23, 2026

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

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.

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Troughs and Shrouds for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Pipeline Spill Containment
March 10, 2026

Troughs shroud 1

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in the United States operate under strict federal safety regulations that mandate effective containment of potential LNG spills. These requirements—enforced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and aligned with NFPA 59A (National Fire Protection Association Standard 59A)—are designed to ensure that LNG releases are controlled, safely directed, and prevented from damaging structural systems or endangering personnel.

Cryogenic fluids such as LNG present significant hazards during a spill event. Extreme temperature differentials can induce thermal shock, leading to brittle fracture of structural steel. In addition, conventional containment systems may fail under severe environmental conditions such as hurricane-force winds, sub-zero temperatures, and combined dynamic loads. These failures can result in uncontrolled LNG release, environmental impact, and damage to adjacent infrastructure.

A critical component of LNG facility safety and compliance is pipe spill containment, typically achieved through the integration of:

 

  • Troughs – linear containment systems installed beneath piping

Screenshot 2026 04 08 at 9.44.40 am

 

  • Shrouds – localized enclosures designed to manage vapor dispersion

Screenshot 2026 04 08 at 9.45.07 am

This bulletin outlines the function, application, and engineering considerations of troughs and shrouds in cryogenic LNG systems.

Function of LNG Spill Containment Troughs

Trough systems are engineered to capture, contain, and safely channel LNG spills under cryogenic and high-wind conditions. These systems typically consist of modular, interconnected sections forming a continuous containment path beneath LNG piping systems such as rundown lines and condensate lines.

Each trough module is supported by guided and sliding structural elements that allow for thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring system integrity across extreme temperature ranges.

Key Functions

  • Capture LNG in the event of a pipeline leak or spill
  • Prevent direct contact between cryogenic liquid and structural steel
  • Direct LNG to designated drainage or vaporization areas
  • Minimize thermal shock to supporting structures

Typical Applications

LNG containment troughs are commonly used in:

  • Elevated pipe racks
  • LNG transfer lines between process units
  • LNG loading and unloading systems
  • Areas requiring protection against brittle fracture of carbon steel structures

Engineering Considerations for LNG Trough Design

Due to LNG storage temperatures of approximately –260°F to –274°F, trough systems must be carefully engineered to withstand extreme conditions.

At Piping Technology & Products (PT&P), LNG trough systems are designed with the following considerations:

  • High-Capacity Spill Handling
    Designed to contain LNG spill flow rates up to 5,723,072 lb/hr
  • Thermal Expansion and Contraction
    Engineered to accommodate temperature differentials from +150°F to –274°F, with controlled displacement through guided support systems
  • Wind Load Resistance
    Designed to withstand Category V hurricane winds (up to 190 MPH), validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Structural Load and Reaction Forces
    Detailed analysis of axial and lateral loads from wind, thermal movement, and LNG weight. High-load areas are reinforced with heavy-duty guides and structural supports
  • Material Selection for Cryogenic Service
    Materials are selected to maintain strength and toughness at extremely low temperatures
  • Compatibility with Pipe Movement
    Ensures trough systems do not restrict thermal movement of process piping
  • Drainage Design
    Optimized slope and flow control to safely route LNG to containment or vaporization zones

These design factors ensure that trough systems perform reliably during spill events without overloading supporting structures.

Function of LNG Vapor Dispersion Shrouds

Shrouds are localized protective enclosures installed around or above LNG piping to manage vapor dispersion in the event of a leak. Their primary function is to contain and direct cold vapor clouds, reducing the risk of exposure to surrounding equipment and personnel.

Key Functions

  • Control and limit LNG vapor dispersion
  • Protect nearby structural components from cryogenic exposure
  • Reduce risk of vapor cloud spread in critical areas

Engineering Considerations for Shrouds

Effective shroud design requires careful attention to:

  • Cryogenic Compatibility – Materials must withstand extreme low temperatures without embrittlement
  • Wind and Structural Loads – Designed to resist environmental forces without deformation
  • Ventilation and Vapor Management – Proper airflow to safely disperse vapor without pressure buildup
  • Non-Restrictive Design – Must allow full thermal movement of piping systems
  • Structural Integration – Seamless integration with pipe racks and support systems

Conclusion

In LNG pipeline systems, troughs and shrouds play complementary roles in spill containment and vapor control.

  • Troughs provide continuous collection and controlled routing of liquid LNG spills
  • Shrouds manage localized vapor dispersion and protect surrounding infrastructure

Both systems must be engineered to accommodate cryogenic temperatures, structural loads, and piping movement while meeting stringent regulatory requirements.

Proper design and integration of LNG spill containment systems not only ensure compliance with FERC and NFPA 59A, but also significantly enhance overall facility safety and reliability.

Early engineering involvement is critical to developing effective, compliant, and durable containment solutions for LNG facilities.

Schedule a meeting with our engineers to discuss your expansion joint protection needs.

 

 

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Eliminate Construction Delays in Data Centers with High-Performance Expansion Joints, Pipe Guides, and Supports
March 10, 2026

Eliminate delays in data center construction with expansion joints, and pipe supports from Piping Technology and Products and US Bellows.

Secure Your Cooling Infrastructure

Data centers operate on some of the most aggressive construction timelines in the industrial world. Every day spent waiting for custom-designed components is a day of lost revenue and delayed scaling. To address this challenge, Piping Technology & Products offers pre-engineered pipe supports that eliminate uncertainty in chilled water system installations. By using standardized designs for common pipe diameters, operators can bypass the traditional design cycle and move directly to installation, accelerating project schedules and improving overall efficiency.

The Challenge with Custom Lead Times

Custom-engineered supports can often delay projects during critical final stages. When scaling facilities to accommodate high-density racks, the supporting infrastructure must keep pace with rapid deployment schedules.

PT&P addresses this challenge by offering plug-and-play variable spring hangers and pre-insulated pipe shoes. These components are designed to accommodate standard industry loads and thermal movements, enabling seamless integration into CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) chilled water systems while accelerating installation timelines.

Thermal Integrity and Condensation Control

In environments filled with sensitive electronics, moisture poses a significant risk. Chilled water lines are susceptible to condensation, which can lead to serious equipment damage. To address this, PT&P utilizes high-density polyurethane (HDPU) in insulated pipe shoes to create an effective thermal break. This design prevents condensation from forming on the support steel while helping maintain consistent water temperatures from the chiller to the CRAC unit.

Critical Components in a CRAC System

The reliability of your cooling loop depends on how well the piping handles thermal growth and mechanical vibration. Below is a breakdown of how specific components protect your CRAC units.

Component

 Manufacturer Primary Function

Value to CRAC Unit
Expansion Joint US Bellows Absorbs thermal growth and vibration Protects unit flanges from mechanical stress
Pipe Guides PT&P Directs pipe movement Prevents misalignment of the water line
Spring Hangers PT&P Supports weight and absorbs shock Reduces structural load during pump cycling

Reliable Support: How PT&P Keeps Your Cooling Systems Running

Piping Technology and Products delivers a strategic advantage by combining rapid manufacturing with deep technical expertise. Our pre-engineered solutions reduce the total cost of ownership by preventing installation errors and protecting expensive cooling equipment from mechanical fatigue. When your timeline is non-negotiable, PT&P ensures your piping infrastructure is a foundation for growth rather than a cause for delay.

FAQ: Data Center Cooling Infrastructure

How do HDPU insulated shoes prevent data center downtime?

High-density polyurethane (HDPU) acts as a thermal barrier between the cold pipe and the support structure. This isolation prevents the air around the pipe from reaching its dew point. By stopping condensation before it starts, you eliminate the risk of water dripping into server racks or onto electrical components.

Why are pre-engineered spring hangers better for rapid scaling?

Pre-engineered hangers are built to standard chilled water specifications. This means they are ready for immediate shipment and installation. You avoid the weeks of back-and-forth engineering reviews that typically accompany custom-built supports.

What is the role of an expansion joint in a CRAC system?

Expansion joints from US Bellows absorb vibrations caused by pumps and by piping thermal expansion. Without these joints, the mechanical stress would transfer directly to the CRAC unit flanges. This protection prevents leaks and extends the cooling unit’s service life.

Can PT&P support high-density cooling requirements?

Yes. As data centers move toward liquid cooling and higher-density configurations, the weight and thermal demands on piping increase. Our supports are rated for these high-performance environments to ensure the stability of the entire water loop.

Build Faster and Protect Your Cooling Loop

Don’t let custom engineering slow down your expansion. Contact PT&P to request a quote for your next project.

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Constant Spring Supports for Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG)
March 9, 2026

Custom Constant Spring Supports for Heat Recovery Steam Generators

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

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The PT&P Welding School: Training Welders for Modern Infrastructure
March 5, 2026

 

Pedro hidalgo with graduate rodrigo gurrusquieta

The Welding “Godfather” Behind Piping Technology’s In‑House School

At Piping Technology & Products (PT&P), welding is more than a step in fabrication: it is the core skill that keeps piping systems safe, reliable, and in service for decades. That is why Piping Technology built its own in‑house welding school, led by Pedro “Pete” Hidalgo (pictured above), a veteran welder with more than 30 years of experience across refineries, heater boxes, and complex shutdown work across the U.S.

Pete is known on the shop floor as the “welding godfather”:

  • He trains and mentors new welders.
  • He tests and certifies every welding candidate before they are hired.
  • He coaches experienced welders when they run into technical problems on live jobs.

His philosophy is simple: stay open‑minded, keep learning, and never compromise on safety or weld quality.

Why Piping Technology Built a Welding School

PT&P’s products, pipe supports, bellows, expansion joints, anchors, and guides, depend on welds that can handle heat, pressure, movement, and fatigue over long service lives. A weak weld in the wrong spot can lead to leaks, failures, and unplanned shutdowns.

To protect customers’ piping systems, Piping Technology chose to invest heavily in internal training rather than rely solely on the external labor market. That led to the creation of the PT&P Welding School, which:

  • Runs as a full‑time, company‑funded program (not just weekend or after‑hours classes).
  • Backfills participants’ previous roles so they can focus 100% on learning.
  • Is embedded in the live fabrication area, so trainees learn on production‑grade equipment.

This is a high‑commitment model: for up to 90 days, participants step out of their regular jobs to focus solely on welding competency.

How the Basic Welding School Works

Pete hidalgo works with a welding school student.
PT&P Welding School Instructor and Master Welder Pete Hidalgo instructs a student.

The initial welding school is designed for Piping Technology employees who want to move into welding or strengthen their skills.

Key elements include:

  • Eligibility and vetting
    • Must have at least one year at Piping Technology
    • Attendance and performance history are reviewed
    • Supervisor approval is required to address labor backfill
  • Duration and structure
    Planned as a 90‑day full‑time program

    • Some classes have produced strong welders in as little as 60 days
    • Monday–Friday in the welding booths; Friday-Saturday buddy‑shifts in live production to apply what they’ve learned
  • Core skills taught
    • Safe use of multiple grinder types and sizes
    • Cleaning and prepping material
    • Cutting material with a torch
    • Beveling the metal plate so it can be welded properly
    • Flux‑core (FLUX) Mig welding as the foundational process
    • Progression toward TIG/Heliarc for those with aptitude

Students earn a stamp when they pass the flux‑core test plate. The pass rate for that first certification has been about 90%, and graduates receive strong feedback from foremen, supervisors, and plant managers across the shop.

From the Classroom to Critical Products: Bellows, Expansion Joints, and More

“It is good to see a company like PT&P investing in a critical industry skill like welding for continued quality production and employee development,” said Training Coordinator Michael Mangione. “I’m excited to be part of the project to continue and develop internal training, such as the Piping Technology Welding School.”

Piping Technology’s welding school is not training welders in a vacuum. Every skill is mapped to the products that support piping systems in real plants:

  • Pipe supports and restraints: Welders learn to produce consistent, structurally sound welds on supports that carry heavy loads and experience high vibration.
  • Expansion joints and bellows: These components absorb thermal movement and pressure; welders must reliably join paper‑thin sheet material to thicker plate without burn‑through, using TIG/HeliArc techniques.
  • Pipe anchors and guides: Precise welds on anchors and guides help control pipeline movement, reducing stress on equipment and preventing misalignment and damage.

For bellows, candidates are tested on their ability to weld extremely thin material to a 2″ x 10″ quarter‑inch plate without burning through the plate. Those who show potential move on to a 3G test and then into specialized bellows training booths, where they may spend several weeks before being released to production.

Several graduates from the welding school have already moved into Sweco Fab, a Piping Technology subsidiary, where they contribute directly to fast‑turnaround, high‑complexity builds that would typically take much longer elsewhere.

What Makes Piping Technology’s Training Different

“Our goal at  PT&P is to be an organization of continuous learning, one where we encourage curiosity and position it as a core competency,” said Director of Human Resources Monique Woodard. “We want our teams to have opportunities for growth embedded in their employee experiences, no matter their role, background, education, or professional goals.”

PT&P’s value proposition to customers rests on three pillars, all supported by the welding school:

  • Consistency and quality at scale

    • Welders are trained to Piping Technology’s specific procedures for pipe supports, bellows, expansion joints, anchors, and guides.
    • Every new welder is tested and bent (physically via coupon bend testing) before they touch customer work.
  • In‑house expertise that evolves

    • Pete continues to weld in production, so he stays hands‑on and current.
    • He mentors rising welders, such as graduate Rodrigo Gurrusquieta, who now handle complex work and help train the next wave.
  • Reliability of piping infrastructure

    • By improving weld quality at the source, Piping Technology reduces rework, field issues, and customer downtime.
    • The welding school builds a pipeline of skilled welders who can adapt to new materials, designs, and code requirements over time.

For Piping Technology, the welding school is both a talent- and quality‑control strategy. It ensures that every weld behind a pipe support, expansion joint, anchor, or guide is made by someone who has been trained, tested, and supported from day one.

What’s Next: Advanced Welding School

Piping Technology is now planning an advanced welding school track to build on the basic program. The advanced track will focus on:

  • Advanced flux‑core and MIG plate work.
  • TIG/Heliarc plate and, later, pipe.
  • Pipe welding for field‑type and coded applications.
  • Skills tailored to bellows, tank work, and other critical CO‑job fabrication.

The long‑term goal is a structured path for a motivated employee to progress from basic plate work to complex pipe and bellows welding, all within Piping Technology. The next welding school class starts on April 1, with approximately 40 new students, while the advanced school track is being planned for later in the year.

Secure Your Piping Systems with PT&P’s Expertly Trained Welders

If you’re responsible for piping systems and need reliable pipe supports, bellows, expansion joints, anchors, and guides, you benefit directly from the quality of Piping Technology’s welders.

  • Learn more about how our welding school supports your projects and reliability goals.
  • Talk with our team about upcoming work that demands high‑integrity welds.
  • Explore how Piping Technology can help you standardize and support your piping infrastructure.

Contact Piping Technology & Products to discuss your next project and how our in‑house welding school helps protect your piping systems for the long term.

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