Chapter 22

Industrial Process Piping

Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will
Describe different types of pipe and their respective uses Define methods of connecting pipes Identify pipe fittings and valves Identify symbology associated with industrial process piping

Part I
Definitions

Definitions
Piping
Any kind of conduit used in a wide range of applications

Plumbing
Small diameter pipes that carry liquids, solids, or gases
Water Natural gas Waste

Definitions
Process piping
Transport of fluids between storage tanks and process equipment

Transportation piping
Carry products hundreds of miles
Petroleum products Gases Coal slurries

Definitions
Pipe drafting
Visualization of pipes and fittings in various orthographic and pictorial views
Double line Single line
Most visualization problems for beginners

Isometric Flow diagram

Schematic, non-scale diagram of system layout

Double- and Single-Line Drawings

Definitions
Piping drawing
Most complex
Scale drawing Provides several views
Plan Elevation Section

All equipment, dimensions, and notes shown Drawn from flow diagrams, manufacturer specifications, and mechanical drawings

Definitions
Piping isometric
Pictorial drawing Illustrates pipe run in three dimensions Information from piping drawings

Spool drawing
Drawn orthographically Shows all pipe and fittings used to assemble a segment Usually non-scale

Part II
Types of Pipe

Cast Iron and Steel

Most common
Commercial Industrial

Carbon steel
Strong Relatively durable Can be welded and machined Not as expensive as copper

Copper
Manufactured by hot piercing and rolling Corrosion resistant Good heat transfer properties Expensive Applications
Instrument lines Food processing Residential water lines

Plastic
PVC
Applications
Acids Salt solutions Alcohols Crude oil

Plastic
Polyethylene
Temperature resistant to 150F Applications
Water Vent piping of corrosive and acidic gases Conduit
Electrical and phone lines Water lines Farm sprinkler systems Chemical waste lines

Clay
Corrosion proof Applications
Sanitary and industrial sewers Chemical waste, except hydrofluoric acid

Glass
Chemical resistant Transparent Clean Applications
Chemical plants Food and beverage industries Pharmaceuticals

Wood
Continuous stave wood pipe
Used in Pacific Northwest
Redwood and Douglas fir

Transport of water

Steel Tubing
Small diameter Flexible Applications
Boilers Superheaters Hydraulic lines
Automotive Aircraft

Pipe Sizes
Availability
1/8 to 44 diameter

Process piping
1/2 to 24 diameter

Instrument lines
1/8 to 1/2 diameter

Pipe Sizes
Nominal pipe size (NPS)
1/8 to 12 diameter
Inside diameter (ID)

14 diameter and greater

Outside diameter (OD)

Inside diameter
(Outside diameter) 2*(Wall thickness)

Part III
Pipe Connection Methods

Pipe Connections
Welded
Butt-welded Socket-welded Solvent-welded

Screwed Flanged Soldered Bell and spigot

Pipe Connections
Mechanical unit Flaring

Pipe Fittings
Enable pipe to change direction and size Provide for branches and connections Types
Welded Screwed

Welded Fittings

Screwed Fittings
Union
Connection in a straight run of pipe

Coupling
Attaches two lengths of pipe

Half coupling
Used for instrument connections

Screwed Fittings
Street elbow
90-degree elbow Can be attached directly to a fitting

Bushing
Reducing fitting

Plug
Seals the screw-end of a fitting

Screwed Fittings

Flanges
Creates a bolted connection point Circular piece of steel
Contains center bore equal to pipe ID Several bolt holes spaced evenly around center bore

Flanges
Types
Slip on Weld neck Blind Stub end Reducing and expander Orifice

Flanges

Valves
Purpose
Provide on/off service Control and regulate fluids Maintain constant pressure Prevent pressure buildup Prevent backflow

On/Off Valves
Gate
Exclusively provide on/off service Fluid flows with minimal friction and pressure loss

Plug
Cock valve Requires turn to open and close Low throttling ability Used on small diameter lines

Regulating Valves
Globe
Regulates pressure Fluid flows in S pattern

Angle
Special type of globe valve Creates 90-degree direction change

Butterfly
Regulates pressure in low-pressure situations

Backflow Valves
Check
Prevent backflow

Swing check
Similar to gate valve in design Operates by gravity Best for low-velocity liquids

Safety Valves
Keep pressures at or below a given point
Pop safety
Used for steam, air, and gas lines

Relief
Used for liquids

Control
Instantaneous control and adjustment
Flow Pressure Temperature

Contains a controller, or actuator Operation

Electric motor Air or hydraulic cylinder

Part IV
Pipe Drawings

Piping Drawings Requirements

Pipe length dimensions Dimension locations Location of fittings and valves Elevation location of all pipe direction changes in section views

Piping Drawings Requirements

Size and type of valves and fittings Pipe diameter, contents, and identification number Pipe flow arrows Equipment names and numbers

Piping Details
Special pipe connections or fittings Special valve arrangements Small diameter pipe and fitting assemblies Special pipe support arrangements

Piping Details
Tank attachment details Minor structural alterations Operating and installation procedures

Piping Details

Piping Isometric

Piping Isometric

Summary
Piping drawings are used in both commercial and residential applications Piping drawings may be orthographic or axonometric Selection of pipe and fittings are application specific