PIPINGS/VALVES and PRESSURE VESSELS

Piping Standard
Schedule number
Pipes were originally classified on the basis of wall thickness
as standard (extra strong, and double extra strong).
Because of modern industrial demands for more exact spec,
pipes are now specified according to wall thickness by a
standard formula for schedule number designated by the
American Standards Association.
Schedule number is defined by ASS as: = 1000 Ps/Ss
where Ps = safe working pressure
Ss = safe working fiber stress

Piping Standard
Schedule number
Ten schedule numbers are in use at present.
These are 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160
For pipe diameters up to 10 in, schedule 40
corresponds to the former standard pipe and
schedule 80 corresponds to the former extra
strong pipe.

Piping Standard
Schedule number
How they came up with the formula?
Bursting pressure of a thin walled cylinder may be
estimated from the following equation:
Pb = 2STtm/Dm

where: Pb = bursting pressure

ST = tensile strength
tm = minimum wall thickeness
Dm = mean diameter

Piping Standard

Schedule number
A safe working pressure Ps can be evaluated from
equation if the tensile strength is replaced by a safe
working fiber stress Ss
Ps = 2Sstm/Dm

Piping Standard
Nominal pipe diameter
Pipe sizes are based on the approximate diameter and are
reported as nominal pipe sizes. This permits the use of
standard fittings and treading tools on pipes of different
schedule numbers.
It is neither I.D or O.D of pipe.

Piping Standard
Tubing
Copper tubing, brass tubing are used extensively in
Industrial operations. Other metals, such as nicklel and
stainless steel, are also available in the form of tubing.
Although pipe specifications are based on standard
nominal sizes, tubing specs are based on the actual
outside diameter with a designated wall thickness.
Conventional system, such as the Birmingham wire gauge
(BWG) are used to indicate the wall thickness.

Piping Standard
Fitting and other piping auxiliaries
Fittings, flanges, valves, flow meters, steam traps and
many other auxiliaries are often rated on the basis of the
safe operating pressure as:
25 psi low pressure
125 psi standard
250 psi extra heavy
300 to 10,000 - hydraulic

Piping: Code and Standards

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the
American Petroleum Institute (API) have established
dimensional standards for most widely used piping components
ANSI B31
- List of standards in the ANSI B31 code section
- Section also lists specifications for pipe and fitting materials
and testing methods of the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM)
- American Welding Society (AWS) specification
- Standard of the manufacturers Standardization Society of the
Valve and Fitting Industry (MSS)

Piping: Code and Standards

The design of piping system applied to this project is listed as
ASME B31.3
ASME stands for American Society of Mechanical Engineer
ASME 31.3 is actually a section of ANSI B31
ASME (ANSI) 31.3 is a Standard Number and designation is
Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping
ASME (ANSI) 31.1 scope and application:
For all piping within the property limits of the facilities engaged
in the processing or handling of chemical, petroleum or related
product unless specifically excluded by the code
Information on latest issue can be obtain for ASME. 345 East
47th st. New York NY 10017

Valves
1.

Gate Valves
used to minimize pressure drop in the open position and to
stop flow rather than to regulate it.

Valves
2. Globe Valves - offer ease in throttling

Valve
3. Diaphragm valves

Diaphragm valves
limited to 50psi, excellent for fluid containing suspended solids

Valves
4.

Plug valve for throttling service, little likelihood of leakage

when closed.

Valve
5. Ball valves

Valves
6. Butterfly valve

Valves
7. Needle Valves offer flow adjustment on small lines

Valves

Valves

Check Valves
Used to prevent reversal of flow
1. Swing check valve
- Normal design is for use only in horizontal lines
2. Lift check valves
- Vertical lift check valve for installation in vertical line,
where the flow is normally upward
- Globe check valve for use in horizontal lines
- Angle check valve used for installation where a vertical
line with upward flow turn horizontal
3. Tilting disk check valve
- May be installed both horizontally and vertically. Less
pressure drop at low velocity but greater at high velocity.
Arrests slamming.

Pressure-Relieving Devices

The possibilities for development of excess pressure exist in

nearly every process plant.
Excess pressure can develop from:
1. explosion
2. chemical reaction
3. reciprocating pumps or compressors
4. process upsets
5. external fire around equipment
In addition to the possible injury to personnel, the loss of
equipment can be serious and an economic setback
Most countries have laws specifying the minimum attention
required in the applications of pressure-relieving equipment
in process and steam power plants.

Types of Pressure Relieving Devices

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Relief valves
Safety valves
Safety-relief valve
Conventional and balance valves
Frangible disk (rupture disk)

Relief Valve
A relief valve is an automatic pressure-relieving device
actuated by the static pressure upstream of the valve,
and which opens further with increase in pressure over
the set pressure
Used primarily for liquid services
Rated capacity is usually attained at 25 percent over
pressure

Relief Valve

Relief Valve

Relief Valve

Safety Valve
A safety valve is an automatic pressure-relieving
device actuated by the static pressure upstream
of the valve and characterized by full opening or
pop action upon opening
Used for steam, gas or vapor service
Rated capacity is reached at 3, 10 or 20 percent
overpressure, depending upon applicable code.

Safety Relief Valve

Conventional and Balance Safety Valve

Conventional safety valves operate satisfactorily
only when there is relatively constant back
pressure. Changes in back pressure can
seriously affect its operational pressure and flow
capacity
Balance valves operate satisfactorily under
varying back pressure as this has little influence
on performance

Frangible Disk (Rupture Disk)

A rupture disk is a thin diaphragm (metal, plastic,
non metallic) held between flanges and designed to
burst at a predetermined pressure.
Each bursting requires the installation of a new disk
Used in corrosive service, and for required bursting
pressure not easily accommodated by the
conventional valve.
Applicable to steam, gas vapor and liquid system

Definition of Pressure Relief Terms

1.

Set pressure
Is the inlet pressure at which the safety or relief valve is adjusted
to open
This pressure is set regardless of any back pressure on the
discharge of the valve

2. Overpressure

Pressure increase over the set pressure of the primary relieving

device is over pressure

It is the same as accumulation when the relieving device is set at

the maximum allowable working pressure of the vessel

Definition of Pressure Relief Terms

3.

4.

Accumulation
Pressure increase over the maximum allowable working
pressure of the vessel during discharge through the safety
or relief valve, expressed as a percent of that pressure.
Maximum allowable working pressure
The maximum allowable working pressure of an unfired
pressure vessel is that pressure determined by code
requirements, the metal material of construction and its
operating temperature, above which the vessel may not be
operated
For a given metal temperature, this pressure is the highest
pressure at which the safety device may be set to open.

Definition of Pressure Relief Terms

5.

Operating pressure
Pressure (gage), to which the vessel is
subjected in service
A processing vessel is usually designed for a
maximum allowable working pressure, which will
provide a suitable margin above the operating
pressure to prevent undesirable operation of the
relief device
Margin is approximately 10 % higher, or 25 psi
which ever is higher.

Definition of Pressure Relief Terms

6.

7.

Blowdown
The reduction in flowing pressure below the set point
required for a device to close
Is the difference between the set pressure and the
reseating pressure of a safety or relief valve
Expressed as percent of the set pressure or psi
Back pressure
Pressure developed on the discharge side of safety
valves is back pressure
This pressure may be generated by the flowing fluid as it
passes through the relief discharge piping, or it may be
an established pressure as a part of a discharge vent
system into which the valve is discharging
It may be combination of these two.

Vacuum Breaker

Electric Solenoid

Emergency Relief Vent

Thermal Valve