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Laboratry Gases PDF
Laboratry Gases PDF
Gases
CEU 210
Continuing Education from the
American Society of Plumbing Engineers
April 2014
ASPE.ORG/ReadLearnEarn
READ, LEARN, EARN
Note: In determining your answers to the CE questions, use only the material presented in the corresponding continuing education
article. Using information from other materials may result in a wrong answer.
This chapter describes the design criteria and central for the storage of flammable and nonflammable gases in
piping distribution methods for various laboratory-grade cylinders. This standard does not actually apply to labo-
specialty gas systems, including pure compressed air used ratories outside of healthcare facilities, but it often is used
for laboratory processes. For the purposes of this chapter, a for guidance in determining the amount and location of
compressed gas is any gas at a pressure higher than atmo- these cylinders. The final decision to adhere to provisions
spheric pressure. Also included in the discussion are various of this standard depends on the client, the requirements
specialty compressed air and gas systems typically used for of the client’s insurance carrier, and the authority having
organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, and biological jurisdiction (AHJ).
laboratories and those used for research, development, and The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
commercial purposes. The gases and their delivery systems provides health hazard classifications, fire hazard classifica-
used in these types of facilities are characterized by low tions, and sudden release of pressure hazard classifications.
delivery pressures, low and intermittent volumes, and high All of these ratings and the associated precautions are avail-
purity requirements. This chapter concentrates on cylinder able on material safety data sheets (MSDS). For instance,
and dewer supply and the local generation of such gases. gases that fall under the “Reactive Hazard” classification
For a discussion of all phases of standard compressed air, must be kept separate from each other, typically with walls,
compressor types, compressor accessories, fundamentals, nonpermanent solid separators available from the gas sup-
and definitions not discussed here, refer to Chapter 9 of this plier, or gas cabinets. The EPA also publishes threshold
volume. For a discussion of compressed air for healthcare limit values for the degree of concentration of any particular
facilities, refer to Chapter 2. gas in ambient air for breathing purposes.
Reprinted from Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook, Volume 3. © 2011, American Society of Plumbing Engineers.
These figures are not set in stone and should be adjusted absolute requirement. For this type of service, copper tube
for specific conditions or special systems when necessary. and fittings that have been cleaned for oxygen service and
The most important consideration is the actual pressure joined by brazing and properly purged often are inexpensive
required by the equipment being used. The maximum pres- and the material of choice. The following grades of copper
sure set by a regulator should be 10 psi (69 kPa) above the pipe have been used:
minimum recommended by the manufacturer or end user. • ASTM B88: Standard Specification for Seamless Copper
Pipe Material Selection Water Tube
• ASTM B819: Standard Specification for Seamless Cop-
Consider the following when selecting the pipe material and
per Tube for Medical Gas Systems
type for a specialty gas system:
• ASTM B280: Standard Specification for Seamless Cop-
• Compatibility with the specific gas used
per Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field
• Capability of delivering the desired gas purity for the
Service
anticipated usage
• ASTM B75: Standard Specification for Seamless Cop-
• Pressure rating of the pipe and joining methods
per Tube
• Temperature rating and the ability to be cleaned or
Another type of material for non-critical applications is
sterilized in place
aluminum tubing ASTM B210: Standard Specification for
• Joining method
Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes,
If all elements are equal, the least expensive piping shall
alloy 6061, T4 or T6 temper. This pipe is commonly joined
be selected
by patented flare joints.
Refer to the manufacturer or supplier of the gas for
The pipe pressure rating is selected to resist the highest
pipe compatibility. The pipe most often used to maintain
system design pressure, which is usually in the range of
the highest purity is grade 304L or 316L stainless steel
50–55 psig (344.7–379.2 kPa). Copper tubing type L is used
tubing conforming to ASTM A270: Standard Specifica-
for pressures up to 200 psig (1,379 kPa), and type K is used
tion for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel
for pressures up to 300 psig (2,068.4 kPa). The pressures
Sanitary Tubing. The interior should be electro-polished,
are lowered internally at the equipment if the supplied
and the exterior could be mill finished in concealed spaces.
pressure is too great. Based on experience, the allowable
In exposed locations and where the pipe exterior will be
pressure range is usually between 30 and 75 psig (206.8
sterilized or cleaned, the pipe exterior should have a No.
and 517.1 kPa). Higher pressures in the 300 psig (2,068.4
4 finish. Stainless steel pipe is capable of withstanding
kPa) range for special uses are well within the limits of
repeated sterilization by steam and a variety of chemicals.
piping with flared, orbital welded, and brazed joints. The
The pipe is joined by orbital welding, so the tube should
allowable pressure ratings for the various piping materials
have a minimum wall thickness of 0.65 inch to be welded.
at ambient temperatures based on wall thickness values
When welding is not required, a tube wall thickness of 0.28
are calculated from equations appearing in ASME B31.3:
inch is commonly used, but the wall thickness must be able
Process Piping Design.
to handle the working pressure of the system. The total
The piping system also shall be capable of being cleaned
installed cost often is less than that of copper tube.
and sterilized in place, often, if required. Cleaned in place
When hard pipe is not desired or used from a cylinder or
(CIP) uses chemicals, so the pipe must be able to resist cor-
system to a movable instrument, it is common practice to
rosion. Refer to the manufacturer’s literature to establish
use 1/8-inch (6-mm) polyethylene (PE), stainless steel, or
compatibility. Steam in place (SIP) raises the distribution
copper tubing of sufficient pressure rating and compatibility
system to a high temperature that kills microbes. A drain
with the specific gas, with no joints between the cylinder
for the system is often required. The piping system materials
and instrument.
need to be steam compatible for the temperatures that may
In many laboratory applications, maintaining ultra-high
be experienced.
purity of a gas from the storage tank to the outlet is not an
Figure 12-10 Typical Relief Venting 2. Establish a general layout of the system from the stor-
age area to the farthest outlet or use point. Measure
the actual distance along the run of pipe to the most