Definition and Application Scenarios
Chemical support brackets are structural components specifically designed for supporting and securing pipelines, equipment, and cables in the chemical industry. These brackets must withstand the harsh conditions typical of chemical environments, including high corrosion, heavy loads, extreme temperatures (both high and low), and frequent vibrations.
They are widely used in settings such as chemical parks, refineries, chemical plants, and pharmaceutical workshops. Supported elements include:
- Process pipelines (e.g., those carrying strong acids, alkalis, or flammable/explosive media)
- Reactors
- Heat exchangers
- Storage tanks
- Associated electrical and instrumentation lines
Key Features
- Material Diversity
A wide range of materials is available, including metals (such as stainless steel and carbon steel) and non-metals (such as FRP and PP/PE), enabling compatibility with various media and environmental conditions.
- Integrated Functionality
Chemical supports combine multiple functions—supporting, guiding, vibration damping, insulation, and explosion protection—into one system, effectively addressing the complex operating conditions typical of chemical facilities.
- High Degree of Customization
Supports are custom-designed based on the properties of the pipeline medium (e.g., toxicity, corrosiveness) and operational parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure), ensuring safety, reliability, and performance.
- High Installation Safety
To minimize hot work in hazardous chemical zones, supports are designed for bolt connections or clamp fastening, reducing on-site fire risks and enhancing construction safety.
- Smart Monitoring Capabilities
Advanced support systems may incorporate strain sensors to monitor load changes in real time, enabling early warnings for fatigue or overload, and improving the overall reliability of the facility.
Typical Types and Applications
By Function:
- Load-Bearing Brackets: Support the self-weight of pipelines, such as vertical riser supports and horizontal pipe hangers.
- Restraint Brackets: Restrict axial or lateral movement of pipelines, including guide brackets and fixed-point supports.
- Vibration-Damping Brackets: Equipped with springs or dampers to absorb vibrations from equipment like compressors or pump-connected pipelines.
- Insulated Brackets: Made of non-metallic materials or fitted with thermal insulation pads to prevent condensation on low-temperature pipelines or reduce heat conduction from high-temperature lines.
By Material:
- Stainless Steel Brackets: Ideal for pipelines carrying highly corrosive media such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.
- FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) Brackets: Lightweight and electrically insulating, suitable for low-voltage cables or pipelines carrying corrosive gases.
- Rubber-Lined Carbon Steel Brackets: A more cost-effective alternative to stainless steel, used in moderately corrosive environments like wastewater or mixed acid-alkali pipelines.
