Props are used for taking up loads on the pipeline and their transmission to the building structure. In some cases, saddles are used to eliminate vibrations, adjustment of forces and stresses in the pipe.
Saddles for pipelines are used in almost all piping systems, regardless of the operating conditions and the specific operating environment.They are used:
- for oil pipelines;
- for gas pipelines;
- industrial plants for processing piping systems;
- in piping systems of nuclear and thermal power plants;
- for utilities of housing and communal services (hot water, heating).
Moving saddles of pipelines are designed to take up vertical loads, depending on the product flowing inside the pipe and the weight of the pipeline. Structurally, the movable support consists of a rigid base, a semicircular metal holder, fitting and gasket.
Moving supporting pipeline system do not prevent the displacement of pipes, contributing to the natural distribution of thermal strains. The moving saddles are divided into sliding, ball bearings, roller, directing, spring and other.
Clamp and slide bearings are used for the thermal movement on the supporting structures of the pipeline in the transverse and longitudinal directions. To reduce friction forces is used roller type of saddles, the use of which makes it possible to sideslip welded supports on a special rink. If piping systems have vibration loads spring type supports are used, as they readily absorb vibration. In bend places to ensure the free movement of large-diameter pipes in both horizontal axes are used ball bearings.
To fix the horizontal piping pipe-hanger supports are used. Suspensions, which are attached to the brackets, consoles, floor structures using rods with bolts or welded springs, the size of which are determined in each particular case.
Fixed saddles are designed for safe and steady pipeline fixing and are applied in duct-free underground pipelines and above-ground pipelines.
Fixed saddles for pipes are designed for use in those structures where the external forces have major impact. The function of these supports is holding pipe section in position and avoiding its movement in any direction.
This type of prop absorbs vertical loads - direct weight of the pipeline construction and weight of transported products in it, as well as horizontal forces:
- thermal deformation,
- pulsation,
- vibration,
- internal pressure surges.
Support structures for pipe systems are made of carbon and low alloy steels. If the pipe system is operated under standard conditions and there are no special requirements, pipe saddles are made of bar sections of standard quality.
Depending on the specific operating conditions of the pipeline particular type of saddles are chosen, which are designed to endure high temperature of the transported substance, operation of the pipeline system at low sub-zero ambient temperatures or other special circumstances.
In these cases, the standards prescribe to manufacture piping saddles of stainless steel, or low-alloy heat-resistant steel.
The process of manufacturing of pipe supports
Production of pipe props is regulated by the relevant provisions of the state and industry standards for this type of steel structures and pipe fittings in general and is a very important process requiring a careful approach to the selection of the material and the quality of execution of each individual operation process.
Technological pipe support manufacturing process includes:
- metal cutting process on high-precision machine tools;
- cutting process on crop shear;
- metal cutting with the use of bandsaw equipment;
- welding.