TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome to our first lesson in this series, where we're diving into Codes and Design
Criteria for Piping Systems.
Piping design standards like ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.8, and B31.4 are important for
making sure piping systems are safe and work well in different industries.
These standards give detailed guidelines about things like picking the right materials,
building, installing, and running piping systems safely. They help everyone follow the
same rules and make sure systems meet safety standards and laws.
For engineers working on piping projects, understanding these standards really matters.
It helps them spot problems early, make things safer, and keep systems running
smoothly.
Also, thinking about different kinds of forces that affect piping systems—like ones that
don't move, ones that do, heat, and the environment—is crucial for making strong and
reliable piping networks.
Join us as we explore these codes and design criteria, aiming to make piping systems
safer and more efficient. Let's learn together on this journey!
In this lesson, we'll explore how to design elements effectively by understanding the
design process. We'll delve into various aspects to ensure our designs meet the
necessary standards.
Throughout this lesson, we'll discuss important codes such as the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Additionally, we'll define different types of loads including sustained, displacement, and
occasional loads. By the end, you'll have a solid grasp of how to approach
designing elements to withstand various loads.
In engineering, a piping system consists of pipes, fittings, and valves all connected in a
closed network. Its main job is to carry fluids from one place to another.
Most piping systems work by carrying fluids under pressure. This means the fluid
fills up the entire space inside the pipe. However, there are some special cases
where pipes are designed differently. For example, in certain situations like sanitary
or storm drains, pipes are made to flow only partially full, which is called open-channel
flow.
So, while most piping systems keep fluids under pressure, there are exceptions where
the flow is more open and doesn't completely fill the pipe.
Piping systems are necessary because often, where liquids are stored or captured for
flow, it's far from where the liquid is actually needed.
People have been using pipes for thousands of years to move fluids around. In
ancient times, civilizations created piping systems to carry water for drinking or
irrigation. They used materials like stone, wood, clay, and even lead to build these
early pipes.
However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that pipes were commercially
manufactured for industrial use. This was a big deal because it meant we could
make pipes out of metal that could handle higher pressures, especially with the rise of
steam power.
Nowadays, modern piping systems are incredibly versatile. They can transport all
sorts of liquids and gases, from thick pulp to compressed gases. These systems
can handle a wide range of pressures and temperatures, from almost no pressure at all
to extremely high pressures up to 400 MPa.
They can also handle temperatures from as cold as absolute zero to as hot as the
melting point of metals.
In our course, we often discuss circular pipes because they offer both excellent
structural strength and the largest cross-sectional area compared to other shapes with
the same outer perimeter.
Whenever we mention "pipe" in this course, we're referring to a closed conduit that has
a circular cross-section and a consistent inner diameter, unless we mention otherwise.
In the field of process piping, North American industries have established codes and
standards that govern various sectors such as chemical, petrochemical, and nuclear
industries.
These regulations not only cover pipes but also include fittings, valves, and other
components essential for assembling pipes that operate under pressure.
In projects related to these industries, adherence to these codes and standards is
typically mandatory.
Piping codes outline the necessary specifications for designing, fabricating, selecting
materials, conducting tests, and inspecting pipes and piping systems.
Essentially, they guide designers on what needs to be done to ensure safety and
efficiency.
While a code isn't a law itself, it can be legally adopted.
Piping standards, on the other hand, provide specific rules and guidelines for designing
and constructing various piping components like flanges, elbows, tees, and valves.
In essence, they tell us how to properly execute the design and construction process.
Designing a piping system involves adhering to various codes and standards to ensure
safety and reliability.
These include calculation and design codes found in different sections of the ASME B
31 standards, along with ANSI standards.
Material specifications from organizations like ASTM and API are also crucial.
Additionally, standards such as MS SSP and welding codes from the American Welding
Society (AWS) play a significant role in ensuring proper construction and integrity of the
piping system.
These codes and standards collectively provide guidelines and requirements for
different aspects of piping design and construction, ensuring that industry best
practices are followed for optimal performance and safety.
Periodic reviews of codes and standards are conducted to incorporate changes in
piping system requirements and characteristics.
These reviews ensure that the industry adopts evolving best practices and integrates
ongoing research findings.
When designing piping systems, the editions of codes and standards specified in the
project contract are used.
Typically, this refers to the latest edition available at the time the contract was signed.
Therefore, it's important to include the year of publication or edition alongside the name
of the code or standard.
There has been a recent trend towards unifying codes and standards.
ASME has absorbed standards previously maintained by ANSI, ASTM, and most MSS-SP
standards.
While the content of these standards remains the same, their designations have
changed.
For instance, the specification for "Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipes,"
previously designated as ANSI B36.10, is now identified as ASME B36.10.
Various design codes exist for piping systems, each with its own set of safety
coefficients and calculation factors tailored to specific types of plants.
Despite these differences, the principles underlying these codes are similar, and they
generally produce comparable results.
Among the most commonly used design codes are those outlined in the ASME B 31
standards.
These codes serve as guidelines for ensuring the safe and effective design of piping
systems across different industrial applications.
The piping design code ASME B 31.1 is specifically intended for use in a variety of
settings including power plants, energy generation plants, geothermal heating systems,
and central and district heating systems.
It provides guidelines and standards tailored to the unique requirements and
operational conditions of these facilities, ensuring the safe and efficient design,
construction, and maintenance of piping systems within them.
The piping design code ASME B 31.3 is specifically designed for use in the design of
refineries, including petroleum refineries, as well as refineries in other industries such
as textiles and paper production.
Additionally, it is applicable to petrochemical plants and downstream facilities.
ASME B 31.3 provides detailed guidelines and standards tailored to the unique
requirements and operational conditions of these types of facilities, ensuring the safe
and effective design, construction, and operation of piping systems within them.
The piping design code B 31. 4 is specifically designed for the transportation of
hydrocarbons outside the boundaries of a refinery, which typically refers to upstream
operations.
It covers the design, construction, and maintenance of piping systems used in the
transportation of hydrocarbons from production sites to processing facilities or
distribution points.
ASME B 31. 4 provides guidelines and standards tailored to the unique requirements
and operational conditions of upstream hydrocarbon transportation, ensuring the safe
and efficient transport of fluids in these environments.
The piping design code ASME B 31.8 is specifically intended for gas transportation
pipelines located outside the confines of a refinery, typically associated with upstream
operations.
It provides comprehensive guidelines and standards for the design, construction,
operation, and maintenance of pipelines used in the transportation of natural gas from
production sites to processing facilities or distribution points.
ASME B 31. 8 ensures that gas transportation pipelines meet stringent safety and
regulatory requirements, addressing the unique challenges and considerations
associated with upstream gas transportation.
The European equivalent to the ASME B 31 code for the design and calculation of piping
systems is the EN 13480 standard.
This standard serves as a comprehensive guideline for the design, construction, and
calculation of piping systems across various types of industrial plants.
EN 13480 covers a wide range of applications and industries, providing detailed
requirements and procedures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of piping
systems within European contexts.
It addresses diverse considerations relevant to piping design, including materials,
fabrication, testing, and installation, making it a fundamental reference for engineers
and practitioners involved in piping design and construction in Europe.
The standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) play a
crucial role in the design of piping systems.
These standards define the dimensions and construction characteristics of various
components within a piping system, ensuring compatibility, reliability, and safety.
It's important to note that many ANSI standards have been absorbed by the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), which now maintains and updates them.
This integration ensures consistency and alignment within the industry, allowing
engineers and designers to adhere to recognized guidelines and best practices when
designing piping systems.
the standards of the components that can be selected for the designs made according
to the ASME B 31 code are listed in the body of the different sections. B 31.1, B 31.3,
etc.
The table shown on the screen is a listing of the standards supported by the B 31.3
code.
The ASME standards commonly utilized in the design of piping systems encompass a
variety of components essential for construction and operation.
These standards include:
• ASME B16. 5 for flanged fittings
• ASME B16. 9 for butt welding fittings
• ASME B16. 11 for socket welding and threaded fittings
• ASME B16. 20 for metallic gaskets for pipe flanges
• ASME B16. 34 for steel valves
• ASME B16. 47 for large diameter flanges
• ASME B36. 10 for welded and seamless pipes made of carbon steel
• ASME B36. 19 for welded and seamless pipes made of stainless steel
These standards provide detailed specifications and requirements for the
manufacturing, installation, and performance of various piping components, ensuring
consistency and reliability across different piping systems.
The standard that delineates the dimensions and characteristics of pipes is the
ANSI/ASME B36. 10 for carbon steel pipes and ANSI/ASME B36.19 for stainless steel
pipes.
These standards provide detailed specifications regarding the dimensions, tolerances,
materials, and manufacturing processes for pipes made of carbon steel and stainless
steel, respectively.
They serve as essential references for engineers, designers, and manufacturers involved
in the selection, fabrication, and installation of piping systems across various
industries.
Since this nomenclature can be difficult to remember, it is useful to have a shortcut to
define the standard that corresponds to each element.
The screen shows a sketch with the corresponding standards
for example, a butt weld tee shall be specified as per the ASME B 16. 9 standard.
The standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
encompass a wide range of materials used in piping systems, along with their
associated tests and specifications.
For instance, materials are defined according to specific ASTM designations, such as
ASTM A53, which covers seamless and welded carbon steel pipes intended for use in
pressure and mechanical applications.
Within ASTM A53, the material is further specified by grade: A, B, or C.
These grades denote different levels of tensile strength and chemical composition,
allowing engineers and designers to select the appropriate material based on the
requirements of the piping system and its intended application.
In summary, ASTM standards provide comprehensive guidelines for the selection,
testing, and specification of materials used in piping systems, ensuring their durability,
performance, and safety in various industrial and commercial environments.
Understanding ASTM or ASME designations can be challenging because, even if the
material's metallurgy remains consistent throughout the vessel, such as carbon steel,
components may carry different designations based on how they are fabricated—
whether casted, forged, welded, and so on.
For instance, within carbon steel metallurgy, a pipe might be designated as A106 grade
B, while a flange could carry the designation A105.
This variability arises because different fabrication methods can affect the
characteristics and properties of the material, even if they share the same base
material.
Therefore, it's essential to pay attention to these designations when selecting and
specifying components for piping systems to ensure compatibility and integrity
throughout the system.
In the realm of piping design, understanding the scope of the ASME B31 code is crucial.
With numerous codes, standards, and specifications available, determining which
ones to use for a specific design can be complex.
Factors such as project type, client requirements, and project location all influence this
decision.
However, key codes and standards are outlined in Sections 1.1 to 1.5.
Among the most widely used standards for piping system design are the ANSI and ASME
B31 standards. Here's a breakdown of their applications:
• ASME B31.1: Primarily used for designing power plants, power generation
facilities, geothermal heating systems, and central/district heating and cooling
systems.
• ASME B31.3: Applied in the design of piping systems within refineries, chemical
plants, petrochemical plants, and facilities processing oil, textiles, paper,
semiconductors, and their derivatives.
• ASME B31. 4: Utilized for transporting liquids like liquid petroleum gas, alcohol,
and other liquids outside the plant's boundaries.
• ASME B31.8: Employed for gas transportation pipelines extending beyond
refinery limits.
Each of these codes draws from the expertise of specialized companies, researchers,
project designers, and field designers in specific application areas.
For facilities located in Europe, piping design may need to comply with European
regulations, such as the Pressure Equipment Directive.
In such cases, adherence to the EN 13480 "Metallic Industrial Piping" Code might be
necessary.
However, it's common for industrial facility design to align with American regulations,
irrespective of the project's geographical location.
In a piping system, various types of loads coexist, necessitating careful analysis by the
piping designer to select the most conservative combination for the system. These
loads can arise during fabrication, construction, and operation phases.
The ASME B31 code outlines the classification of loads that a piping system may
encounter in different scenarios:
• B31. 1: Paragraph 101, Chapter II "Design"
• B31. 3: Paragraph 301, Chapter II "Design"
• B31. 4: Paragraph 401, Chapter II "Design"
• B31. 8: Paragraph 841
Similar to the approach taken when designing equipment and systems, the design of a
piping system involves evaluating various load types and selecting the most demanding
combination applicable to the system.
This ensures that the system can withstand stresses induced by fabrication,
installation, hydrostatic testing, operation, maintenance, and other phases of its life
cycle.
By considering all these factors, the piping designer can develop a robust and reliable
piping system that meets safety and performance requirements.
In a piping system, there are three primary types of loads that it may experience:
sustained loads, displacement loads, and occasional loads.
1. Sustained loads: These are constant loads that the piping system experiences
during its normal operation. They include factors like the weight of the fluid being
transported, pressure from the fluid, and any permanent fixtures attached to the
piping.
2. Displacement loads: These loads occur when the piping system undergoes
movement or displacement due to factors such as thermal expansion, vibration, or
settling of the supporting structure. Displacement loads can cause stress and strain on
the piping system, requiring careful consideration during design and installation.
3. Occasional loads: Occasional loads are intermittent or irregular loads that the
piping system may encounter during its lifetime. These loads can result from events
such as water hammer, equipment malfunctions, or external impacts. While occasional
loads may not occur frequently, they can still pose significant risks to the integrity of the
piping system and must be accounted for in its design and operation.
By understanding and analyzing these different types of loads, piping designers can
develop robust and reliable piping systems that can safely and effectively withstand the
demands of their operating environments.
Sustained loads in a piping system are generated by mechanical forces that persist
during regular system operation.
Generally, these loads do not dictate the overall design or configuration of the system.
Examples of sustained loads include the weight of the pipe itself and the internal
pressure exerted by the fluid flowing through the system.
While sustained loads are fundamental to the system's operation, they typically remain
relatively constant and do not fluctuate significantly over time.
As such, they serve as foundational considerations in the design process but may not
be the primary factors driving the system's layout or structural decisions.
Instead, sustained loads provide essential baseline parameters for engineers to ensure
the system's integrity and functionality under normal operating conditions.
Sustained loads in a piping system stem from mechanical forces that persist during
regular operation and usually don't dictate the system's design and configuration.
Sustained loads comprise:
• The pipe's own weight (referred to as dead weight)
• Weight from snow or ice on the pipe
• Effects from supports and anchors
These loads remain relatively constant during normal system operation and provide
essential considerations for ensuring the system's structural integrity and stability.
While they form the foundation of the system's design, they typically don't heavily
influence the system's overall layout or configuration.
Understanding the effects of pressure and temperature is crucial in piping systems,
especially regarding sustained loads.
Pressure and temperature combinations influence the calculation and sizing of all
piping components.
Temperature can determine the minimum resistance of a piping system by reducing the
allowable stress on the material.
Pressure induces stresses in all pipe components.
The design pressure must not be lower than the pressure expected during normal
operation, considering the most severe coinciding conditions of pressure and
temperature, internally or externally.
The design temperature represents the most severe combination of pressure and
temperature.
For components with external insulation, the design temperature is the maximum
temperature of the contained fluid.
The most critical combination of pressure and temperature conditions determines the
required thickness and rating of piping system components.
Understanding these factors ensures the safety and efficiency of the piping system.
Minimum Design Metal Temperature (MDMT) is the lowest temperature at which a
material can withstand before becoming susceptible to brittle fracture.
It is an essential property that guides the design of the system, ensuring the material's
integrity under various temperature conditions.
Design Temperature, on the other hand, is the temperature at which the entire system
should be designed to operate.
Depending on the process, there may be both maximum and minimum design
temperatures.
These temperature considerations are critical in developing a system that can
effectively and safely function within the specified temperature ranges, accounting for
both normal and extreme operating conditions.
Internal pressure in a piping system is crucial to understand.
It's the difference between the operational pressure (Po) and the design pressure (Pd).
This difference creates a safety margin.
This margin is important because operating conditions can change over time or due to
external factors.
Understanding this margin helps ensure the system remains safe and reliable despite
potential fluctuations in conditions.
This will be covered in more detail in later lessons.
External pressure is an important consideration for piping systems, especially when the
system undergoes depressurization or operates under vacuum conditions.
In such instances, atmospheric pressure, exerted from the outside, affects the system.
At sea level, atmospheric pressure is typically 1 atmosphere (atm).
This pressure decreases with increasing elevation.
However, for simplicity and safety, calculations often assume a constant external
pressure of 1 atm, regardless of the system's elevation above sea level.
This approach ensures conservative estimations and helps maintain safety standards
in the design and operation of piping systems.
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) is a critical concept in piping systems.
It represents the maximum continuous working pressure at which the pipe can operate
without experiencing plastic deformation.
However, MAWP is not synonymous with the design pressure.
While the design pressure sets the target for the system's operational conditions, the
MAWP accounts for practical considerations.
The selected pipe wall thickness typically exceeds the thickness calculated for design
conditions.
This extra thickness provides a safety margin, allowing the pipe to operate at MAWP
without deforming.
MAWP is determined by the wall thickness of commercially available pipes, which
inherently exceed the calculated values to ensure operational safety and integrity.
This underscores the importance of considering both design pressure and MAWP in
ensuring the reliability and safety of piping systems.
Thermal loads arise in piping systems due to temperature changes.
When the piping system's expansion or contraction is constrained by supports,
anchors, or equipment nozzles, thermal loads occur.
These longitudinal loads can lead to substantial thermal stresses within the pipe if the
system lacks the proper configuration to accommodate these displacements.
The linear thermal expansion coefficient of a solid is defined as the unit increase in
length for a unit increase in temperature.
This coefficient helps quantify how materials expand or contract with changes in
temperature, allowing engineers to predict and manage thermal effects in piping
systems.
Occasional loads are transient forces applied to a system for a brief period, typically
ranging from 1% to 10% of the estimated useful life of the plant.
These loads can vary and include:
• Wind: Although wind-induced loads on piping systems are usually minimal due
to their small cross-sectional area.
• Earthquake (seismic): Seismic loads can be substantial in regions prone to
earthquakes, making their calculation complex.
• Vibration
• Pressure safety
• Water hammer
Because ensuring a safe and efficient design requires quantifying these loads, their
analysis is detailed in various design codes.
The ASME B31 code sections (B31.1, B31.3, B31. 4, B31.8) elaborate on these load
types, establishing relationships between material allowable stress, duration of load
application, and the number of hours per year these loads are applied.
It's important to note that comparing stresses induced by occasional loads with the
basic allowable stresses of the codes may not be accurate.
The codes allow stress values higher than the basic allowable stresses under certain
conditions, provided that the requirements of the codes are satisfied. This
approach ensures that piping systems can withstand occasional loads while adhering
to safety and regulatory standards.
Hydrostatic and pneumatic tests are non-destructive examinations crucial for ensuring
the integrity of a piping system.
During a hydrotest, the system undergoes pressurization with a liquid, typically water,
for a predetermined duration.
Factors like water temperature, environment, and chemical composition are often
overlooked but remain vital.
Whenever feasible, hydraulic tests are preferred over pneumatic ones.
This preference arises from concerns such as liquid freezing or the onset of corrosive
processes due to water exposure.
The ASME B31 Code outlines the requirements for piping tests.
For B31. 1 and B31. 3, the hydrostatic test pressure is 1.5 times the design pressure,
while for B31.4 and B31.8, it's 1. 25 times.
However, customer specifications may introduce their own testing requirements and
formulas.
In the European Union, the Pressure Equipment Directive mandates a test pressure of 1.
43 times the design pressure.
Stresses induced during testing, being temporary and under different temperatures
from design conditions, cannot be directly compared with allowable stresses for
design.
The ASME B31 Code dictates that stresses from tests (hydrostatic and/or pneumatic)
should be compared with a stress equivalent to 90% of the material's yield strength for
accurate assessment.
To Wrap Up, this video gave us a thorough understanding of piping systems, touching on
essential topics like design codes, standards, and different types of loads.
We learned about the significance of knowing material specifications, the complexities
of ASTM and ASME designations, and how various loads impact system design.
We highlighted important design codes like ASME B 31. 1 and B 31.3, as well as their
European counterpart, EN 13480.
Additionally, we emphasized the role of ANSI standards in defining piping components.
Keep an eye out for more insights, and thank you for tuning in.
Have a fantastic day!
