Instrument Impluse Line

In instrument hook-up drawing, what is the the main differences between instrument
installation for gas service line and for liquid service line, especially for instrument which
requires

impulse

line?

Instrument such as pressure transmitter, DP flow transmitter requires tubing as impulse line to sense the
process pressure. This tubing shall be tapped to process in the following manner:

In gas service line, process tap shall be facing upward, instrument is mounted higher than the process
tap. Tubing shall have slope upward from process tap to the instrument, this is to allow self drain of
the liquid component back to the main piping.

In liquid service line, process tap shall be facing downward, instrument is mounted lower than the
process tap. Tubing shall have slope downward from process tap to the instrument, this is to allow gas
component in liquid goes back to the main piping.

Is it possible to have process tap below the piping in gas service?

Yes it is, by accomodating condensate pot in the impulse line. However, this arrangement requires
periodic maintenance for emptying the condensate pot.

1) Both ISO2186:1983 and ISO2186:2004 were referenced for the study

"Best Practice Guide: Impulse Lines for Differential Pressure Flowmeters"
The table on page 5 gives pipe/tubing diameters for various run lengths and for a variety of media, including
"very dirty fluids".
http://www.idconline.com/technical_references/pdfs/instrumentation/Differential%20pressure%20meters_nel.pdf
(eliminate any spaces the forum inserts into the URL above)or use this tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/2colxrg
2) ISA-77.70-1994 (R2005) Fossil Fuel Power Plant Instrument Piping Installation
The design of instrument sensing and sampling lines in a power plant is covered by ANSI B31.1, "Power
Piping," latest version with addenda.
4.1.1 Process tap connections
All of the material between the root valve(s), including the root valve(s) and process connection, shall be the
same material as the process pipe or vessel or shall be a material compatible with the process fluid, pressure,
temperature, and connection methods.
The connection shall be a minimum of inch (12.7 mm)nominal pipe size for service conditions when
pressures are 900 psig (6.21 MPa) or less, and temperatures are 800F (426.67C) or less. The minimum size
shall be inch (19.05 mm) for conditions that exceed either of those limits.