1400 Deg. F. Hot Insulated Supports

[NozzleTwister]

Hi!

I have an application where I need to support some stainless steel piping systems (6" NPS to 10" NPS, Sch. 40S)with a 1400 deg F. design temperature.

I'm trying to avoid welded attachments to the pipe and I'm thinking about using hot insulated supports something similar to what 'RILCO' or 'Pipe Shields' makes. With this type of support the pipe hanger or shoe clamps around the outside of the insulation and a high density insulating material is placed between the support and the pipe to carry the load and spread the load out over the pipe wall.

Most common insulating materials used in this application are limited to 1200 deg. F. and we are trying to avoid using ceramics. I haven't done a lot of research but I did talk to one support vendor who said he could handle this temperature with no problem, but he went silent when we asked what material he would use and he hasn't called back.

I don't anticipate any complicated supports like guides or line stops, just simple supports used with springs hangers or spring cans.

Any direction you can give about support munfacturers, materials to use for the support blocks and experiences good or bad would be most welcome.

Thanks,

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

 

[gmorin]

My info is a couple years out of date, so keep that in mind if they have a new design. I had a lot of difficulty using insulated supports. I won't mention the company in a public forum, but the company I dealt with had a lot of difficulty handling loads due to expansion.

Guides and anchors were a real problem. We had to go back and retrofit a few with welded stanchion type supports.

Note that my line was 950 degF and 18" sch XXS, so it could be that your pipe is placing significantly less pressure on the insulation surface.

Even the high density insulation crushes a little bit and then the pipe moves more than you expect it to - resulting in more forces on the next support down the line, etc. 1400 degrees would require a fancier insulation than I've used.

Purely gravity loads were OK, though we were concerned that if one support's insulation failed a little, then the next support would see more load and degrade a little, etc over time.

I'd go with a clamp if I were you, but if that's not possible, make sure you scrutinize the support details for the failure mechanism(s) and ask for references. We found out these supports are not as "off the shelf" as some would have you believe.


Good luck

Greg

 

[DSB123]

NozzleTwister'
I've used Monulux material in the past for load bearing insulation with good results. The Monulux 500 is good up to 500 Deg C whilst the Monolux 800 is good up to 800 Deg C. The following company website gives details.

http://www.cmt-engineering.co.uk

Hope this helps.

 

[unclesyd]

Here are two site that have products we use at temperatures close to you requirements.

The 1200° F limit on most pipe coverings can be overcome by the use of Super Firetemp board now make by JM. This material retains some strength up to 1800°F. We use it as a standard at 1275° F. It is board so it has to be fabricated to fit pipe. They also make a material called Caltemp 1700 good to 1700° F . There is a slight penalty for using these boards, “K” is a little high.

They may be making clam shells from these material now.

Don’t use just any calcium silicate board as it doesn’t have any strength above 400? F and is not fire proof.

http://www.pipingtech.com/

http://www.jm.com/insulation/

 

[NozzleTwister]

Thanks for the input folks.

I've started to follow up on your leads. If anybody else has anything to add, feel free.

Thanks,

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

 

[DLANDISSR]

NozzleTwister:
I have used Thermal Ceramics insulation for up to 2400Deg F.
This is like fiber glass blanket insulation but is made of ceramic fibers and a high temperature binder.

It will not support the put weight. Graphite blocks could be used which would support the weight.

I have used welded on lugs on Inconel pipe at 1600Deg F. with very good results. The lug has to be long enough to spread the load out. The lugs should be welded with spaces between the welds and should have gaps between the pipe and lug where it is not welded. This allows some movement between the pipe and lug so not to introduce additional forces on the pipe wall.

I have supported pipes vertically with a lug on each side and spring hangers on each lug and horizontally with a lug on top. The lug should be long enough about 12" from the pipe wall to the hanger attachment so the heat from the pipe will not get to the hanger attachment.