Pipe Shoe Support for LNG Plant

In LNG processing, pipe shoe supports must handle extreme thermal contraction from ambient to -162 °C during cool-down, plus heavy sustained loads and occasional seismic or surge forces. Our support assemblies eliminate point loading at pipe-to-support interfaces, reduce friction during axial movement, and maintain line alignment across pipe racks, sleepers, and modular skids. The product range includes the Painted Carbon Steel Pipe Shoe for indoor and mild environments, the Corrosion Resistant Pipe Shoe for coastal and humid LNG terminals, and heavy-duty designs derived from our Pipe Shoe Support for Oil and Gas and Pipe Shoe Support for Refinery lines. Standard units feature ASTM A36 or A53 carbon steel bodies, full-penetration welded ribs, and pre-attached slide plates for smooth thermal cycling. For cryogenic service, we also offer low-temperature carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel variants with impact-tested welds and documented NDT reports.

The Pipe Shoe Support for LNG Plant is engineered for pipe sizes from 2 inch NB to 48 inch NB, with vertical design loads ranging from 10 kN to 800 kN depending on pipe diameter, wall thickness, and support span configuration. Load-bearing plates are cut from 6 mm to 25 mm thick carbon steel plate, and vertical ribs are full-penetration welded to prevent undercut, porosity, or stress concentrations at highly loaded bracket-to-shoe interfaces. For low-temperature service, base metal is normalized and Charpy impact tested at -45 °C or lower to meet ASME B31.3 requirements. The standard corrosion protection system includes SSPC-SP6 commercial blast cleaning, a two-part epoxy primer at 75–125 microns dry film thickness, and a polyurethane topcoat at 50–75 microns. In marine environments, we substitute a zinc-rich epoxy primer and high-build glass flake epoxy that achieves over 250 microns DFT for extended service life. A low-friction slide plate made from 15% glass-filled PTFE is recessed into the shoe base and bolted to eliminate edge lifting, allowing axial movement up to ±150 mm under thermal cycling while maintaining lateral stability. Clamp bolts are ASTM A193 B7 or A320 L7 studs with heavy hex nuts and Belleville washers to resist vibration loosening on BOG compressor and pump skids.

Key product parameters for LNG plant applications:

• Material options: ASTM A36, A53, A333 Gr.6 low-temp carbon steel, 304L/316L stainless steel
• Pipe size range: 2 inch NB to 48 inch NB (DN50–DN1200), custom sizes up to 60 inch available
• Design temperature: -196 °C to +200 °C (-320 °F to +392 °F)
• Design load: 10 kN to 800 kN (1,000 kg to 80,000 kg)
• Coating options: epoxy painted, hot-dip galvanized, zinc-rich primer, glass flake epoxy
• Slide plate material: 15% glass-filled PTFE, 3 mm to 6 mm thick, friction coefficient ≤0.08
• Axial travel: ±150 mm standard, larger travel available on request
• Bolt material: ASTM A193 B7, A320 L7, or A193 B8M stainless steel
• Weld standard: ASME IX, AWS D1.1, full penetration with UT/MT/PT available as an option

Each shipped support includes full material traceability, bolt torque charts, and optional NDT reports for LNG project documentation.