How to Select the Appropriate Support for Pipeline Systems

In daily life, we rarely notice the pipes hidden in walls, underground, or in ceilings. However, these pipes are silently transporting various fluids such as water and gas, ensuring the normal operation of our lives. In the pipeline system, supports play a crucial role. Today, let's talk about how to select the appropriate support for a pipeline system.

Pipeline Operating Conditions

Pipeline operating conditions are an important basis for choosing supports. For example, temperature has a significant impact on pipelines. In summer, the hot water pipes in our homes expand due to high temperatures. If the supports cannot adapt to this thermal expansion, the pipes may deform or even rupture. At this time, supports such as spring supports or sliding supports that allow the pipes to expand and contract freely are required. If the pipeline transports high-pressure gas, the supports must be particularly sturdy to withstand the huge pressure and prevent gas leakage at the pipeline joints.

Pipeline Material and Size

The material and size of the pipeline also cannot be ignored. Steel pipelines are relatively strong, but they are prone to significant thermal expansion and contraction. For example, the heating pipelines in our homes are mostly made of steel, so supports that can cope with thermal expansion and contraction need to be selected. Plastic pipelines are lightweight but relatively soft, so the supports need to be installed carefully to avoid crushing the pipelines. Large-diameter pipelines are thick and heavy, so large and strong supports are required, and the distance between the supports should be shorter to prevent the pipelines from sinking. Small-diameter pipelines can use lightweight spring hangers, which are convenient for installation and adjustment.

Installation Environment

The installation environment also affects the selection of supports. When installing supports for indoor pipelines, the space is relatively spacious, and there are more choices, but aesthetics also need to be considered. Outdoor pipelines are more troublesome as they are exposed to wind, sun, rain, snow, and freezing. In the north, the supports for outdoor pipelines in winter need to prevent snow and ice from crushing the pipelines, and thermal insulation layers may need to be added. If pipelines are installed in a narrow basement or pipe gallery, the supports need to be compact and take up less space, such as hangers or embedded supports. In areas with poor ground conditions, the supports need to be more stable to prevent the pipelines from being damaged due to ground vibration or uneven settlement.

Pipeline Function and Layout

The function and layout of the pipeline are equally crucial. Some special pipelines, such as the oxygen pipelines in hospitals, have extremely high requirements for levelness and perpendicularity, so supports that can accurately adjust the position are required. In earthquake-prone areas, seismic supports need to be installed for pipelines to ensure the safety of the pipelines during earthquakes. The pipeline layout also has its own rules. For straight pipelines, fixed supports and sliding supports can be installed at intervals; for pipelines with many elbows and branches, appropriate supports need to be installed at these locations, otherwise the impact force of the fluid turning will cause the pipelines to shift.

Maintenance and Cost

Finally, maintenance and cost also need to be considered. When choosing supports, those that are convenient for inspection, maintenance, and replacement should be selected. For example, supports that can be disassembled are easier to repair when there is a problem with the pipeline. Different supports have different prices. Some supports are expensive but can work stably for a long time, reducing the number of maintenance times; some supports are cheap but need to be replaced frequently, and the long-term cost is higher. Therefore, when choosing supports, these factors need to be comprehensively considered to select the most suitable support for the pipeline system, so that the pipeline can better serve us.