Python Pipe

Python piping is a modular vacuum-insulated piping system that allows easy system design and configuration to meet any system design requirements. Chart's standardized manufacturing process affords our customers the opportunity to get superior vacuum insulation performance at a significantly lower cost. The individual sections of pipe are fabricated, insulated, evacuated and sealed in our factory. These completed sections are then joined together in the field to construct the system needed.

Advantages To Your Process

• Five times better thermal performance than foam-insulated lines reduces the amount of liquid product that is boiled off while in the pipe system and provides years of process cost savings.
• Less than half the weight of foam-insulated lines makes installation and piping support systems easier.
• Reliable flow and pressure of liquefied gases provides consistent process operation.
• Stainless steel outer pipe construction is much more resistant to corrosion problems than foam-insulated copper lines.
• Python pipe utilizes an outer bellows design with stainless steel inner pipe, allowing operating pressures up to 400 psig.
• Significant inventory of Python pipe is available for quick shipment of piping systems.

Applications

The following are just some of the many applications that are well suited for Python piping. Python systems work for many other cryogenic applications as well in liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂), liquid nitrogen (LN₂), or liquid argon service. For assistance with any insulated piping needs, please feel free to contact us at the address below.

Food Freezing with Liquid CO₂ – There are many applications that use liquid CO₂ as the coolant to freeze food products (beef, poultry, seafood, etc). Liquid CO₂ generates faster cooling rates that yield time efficiencies to the process. In addition, liquid CO₂ freezing equipment eliminates the need for compressor systems, so it takes up less room than comparable mechanical freezers. Python systems yield great thermal efficiencies in these applications, which ultimately reduces the operational cost of food packaging and distribution.

Test Chamber Cooling with Liquid CO₂ – Environmental test chambers use liquid CO₂ to cool the workspace and the product under test. Liquid CO₂ generates faster cooling rates than mechanical refrigeration systems. Additionally, using CO₂ can eliminate the need for the space and maintenance of a mechanical refrigeration system. Many chambers employ a liquid CO₂ boost system. In this arrangement, the chamber utilizes mechanical refrigeration for most of the cooling, and then uses liquid CO₂ when the chamber can't achieve the required cooling rates or temperatures.

Liquid Line to Vaporizer – In many cases it is desired to place liquid vaporizers a short distance from the liquid supply tank. These locations might provide more room for access around the pad, or a more convenient layout for auxiliary equipment. When this is done, the supply line will form large ice balls around the entire line. This ice build-up can present safety hazards or otherwise make maintenance on the pad much more difficult. When Python piping is used to run the liquid from the tank over to the vaporizer, it will keep this line clean and eliminate large ice build-ups on the pad.

Liquid CO₂ Applications – Liquid CO₂ processes often require very high pressure. Because Python piping uses an external bellows design, it is well suited to operate at higher working pressures. Standard Python design can safely maintain working pressures of 400 psig. In addition to the higher working pressures, the advanced insulation of Python piping will yield significant system efficiencies over traditional foam insulated pipe. These efficiencies are valuable, as most liquid CO₂ applications are very cost sensitive.

You may e-mail us directly at Python@chart-ind.com or call us at 888-877-3093.