Pipe Supports
Pipe Support is a device designed to carry the weight of the pipe, any in-line equipment and the material in the pipe over a defined span. The four main functions of a pipe support are to guide, anchor, absorb shock and support a specified load. Pipe supports used in high or low temperature applications may contain insulation materials. The overall design configuration of a pipe support assembly is dependent on the loading and operating conditions.
Types of pipe supports
Pipe guide
A pipe guide is a device for directing or controlling the motion of a defined span of pipe. Pipe guides can be used in conjunction with other pipe supports to achieve more than one degree of freedom.
Pipe anchor
A pipe anchor is a rigid support that restricts movement in all three orthogonal directions and all three rotational directions. This usually is a welded stanchion that is welded or bolted to steel or concrete.
Shock absorber
A shock absorber absorbs energy of sudden impulses or dissipate energy from the pipeline.
Insulated pipe support
An insulated pipe support is a load-bearing member and minimizes energy dissipation. Insulated pipe supports can be designed for vertical, axial and/or lateral loading combinations in both low and high temperature applications. Adequately insulating the pipeline increases the efficiency of the piping system by not allowing the cold inside to escape to the environment.
Engineered spring support
An engineered spring support upholds a specific load, including the weight of the pipe, commodity, flanges, valves, refractory, and insulation. Spring supports also allow the supported load to travel through a predetermined thermal deflection cycle from its installed condition to its operational condition.
Materials
Pipe supports are fabricated from a variety of materials including structural steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and ductile iron. Most pipe supports are coated to protect against moisture and corrosion.Some methods for corrosion protection include: painting, zinc coatings, hot dip galvanizing or a combination of these.