Problems at Pipe Supports

Causes & Prevention

By Anoop Nimkande(P91107)

The Pipe Support Problem

Corrosion at Pipe
Supports is a
leading cause of
external
corrosion
failures on above
ground piping
systems ..
Why ???

Poor Designs & Misconceptions

Poor Designs
Form Crevice
Trap Water
Hold Water
Hard to Inspect

Poor Designs & Misconceptions

Poor Design & Misconceptions

Misconceptions
Rubber Helps
Its critical to
eliminate metal to
metal contact
Its a Galvanic
Thing

What Really Goes Wrong?

1. Water Gets In
2. Water Stays In
3. Paint Fails
4. Pipe Pits Through
5. Pipe Leaks

What Goes Wrong?

Atmospheric
Pipe Coating
Atmospheric
Structural Coating

Pipe

CREVICE

Support
Structure

What Goes Wrong?

Atmospheric
Pipe Coating

Water
Entrapment

Atmospheric
Structural Coating

Atmospheric
Coating
.
Immersion
Service

What Goes Wrong?

Atmospheric
Pipe Coating
Atmospheric
Structural Coating

Bare Steel
Exposed to
Oxygenated
Water

Atmospheric
Coating .
Softens Fails

What Goes Wrong?

Localized
Wall Loss &
Progressive
Undercutting
of Paint

This Results in Leaks

Lots of Leaks

A Major Threat

But We Have Rubber Pads!

They Eliminate
Metal to Metal
Contact
Stop The Galvanic
Action
DONT THEY ??

NO Afraid Not

THINK about it .
Forms Capillary Scaled
Crevice
SUCKS & HOLDS
Water
Stops Evaporation
- Sets Up Oxygen
Concentration Cells
- Rapid Crevice Corrosion

Poor Design & Misconceptions

Those rubber
pads keep
appearing

Poor Design & Misconceptions

FRP Wear Pads

Bad Designs - Breaking the Basic Rules

1. Dont Trap Water
2. Dont Hold It
3. No rubber
4. Make it Inspectable

Corrosion Resistant wear pads are the best way to protect your pipes from the
damaging effects of corrosion and rust caused by metal to metal contact. Specifically
formulated with a smooth exterior, our ultra smooth composite wear pads effectively
isolate un-insulated pipes from their supports and prevent corrosion.

Bad Designs - Catastrophic Failure

Bad Designs - Catastrophic Failure

Sleeve is 9-1/2 inches long
and provided extended
area of contact corrosion.
Large corrosion area
explains large initial
blowout failure.

The loose sleeve was found

under the failure (resting on
top of the pipe support) the
morning after the fire.
.

Solution?

Identity & Eliminate the

Problems
- Tight Crevices
- Ability To Trap and Hold
Water

CREVICE

- Eliminate Dissimilar Metal

Contact (A secondary
benefit)
- Open things up for
inspection & maintenance

Solution?
- KEEP IT DRY
- ELIMINATE
CORROSION

Excellent Wear Resistance

Pipe Rack Beam Dressing

Stabilized Supports

Stabilized Supports
Isolate the pipe
Non-Porous
Keep water out

Cradles & Adjustable Supports

Large crevice
No chance for visual
inspection

Cradles & Adjustable Supports

For Cradles & Adjustable Supports

Isolate the pipe
Allow for evaporation
Open things up for
visual inspection

Cradles & Adjustable Supports

Large crevice
No chance for visual inspection
.

Pipe Hangers
Retrofit or New
Gripping Applications
Thermal and electrical
insulation

Pipe Grippers

Beware of Low Grade Material

Delrin

HMWPE

Mystery Meat

Conclusions
Keep it dry = Stop
corrosion
Look for excellent wear
protection
High compressive strength
Open for visual inspection

Thank You...