AVOID OVERSTRESSED PIPING THROUGH FLEXIBLE LAYOUT There are many ways of insuring and increasing flexibility through the piping layout. Lets look at: (1) A method of determining, comparatively, a layout's flexibility. (2) Some tips on promoting flexibility. (3) Some thoughts on rotating equipment. 1. SOFT, SOFTER, SOFTEST A system for determining flexibility on an increasing scale is illustrated in Fig. 1. ‘. # : 4 < al al al 1 INCREASING FLEXIBILITY of piping is shown from left 10 right Each prism shows pipe running between Points a and f. In the one at the left, the pipe cuts across the face of the prism with Leg cd. For this case, the pipe could cut across any face or into the body of the prism. If calcu- Jation shows such a Tine to be overstressed, another route must be chosen. The center sketch shows the same anchor points, a and f, but the pipe now runs along the edges of the prism. The pipe could be run along any of the edges but not across the surface or through the prism. This route is more flexible than that at the left in Fig. 1. Suppose that the pipe in the center sketch is still overstressed. The sketch at the right shows the line going outside the prism into space. It runs along the edges and then into space to form a loop between Points ¢ and f. This route is the most flexible of the three possible routes. It is important to point out that the route at the left is the usual one and that piping is not necessarily overstressed because it follows this path. The three sketches are used only to show the successive paths of increasing flexibility. The prisms provide a means of visualizing, at a glance, a softer piping system. Even the path at the right, however, can be over- stressed if the loop between Points e and f is not large enough. 2. TIPS FOR FLEXIBLE LAYOUTS In laying out hot piping, it is well to consider the following: 1) The expansion of turbines, towers, heat exchangers, etc., (called external motion) must be added to pipe expansion. 2) A-heat exchanger is generally fixed at one end and free to slide at the other.3) Long radius elbows are more flexible than five diameter bends. The elbows produce lower forces but higher local stresses because of the flattening of a curved member when it flexes. The five diameter bend flattens less and therefore produces higher forces but lower local stresses. These local stresses, of course, are in the bend or elbow itself. 4) Pumps, turbines, and compressors must have low forces acting on them as required by the manufacturer. 5) Dead weight must in most cases be carried by independent supports and not by the pump, turbine, or compressor. Usually, a spring hanger is required since the pipe will leave a solid support when the pump, turbine, or com- pressor expands. 6) Always run a line with a thought as to how it will be supported. Lines should be grouped whenever possible. If a line needs to be rerouted for better support, this should be done. In the case of carbon steel pipe, the cost of a support can be far greater than additional pipe. Hangers should have sufficient clearance above ‘the pipe. 7) Anchors and guides should not be put in unlikely places where their installation will be costly or structurally ‘impractical. 8) Pipes should not be placed so close to each other that their insulations will rub when they expand. When spacing pipe as it turns corners, remember that the insulation should clear the nearest object by several inches to provide for expansion. 9) Coldspring is not the answer to lowering stresses in overstressed piping. The Piping Code does not permit this. It allows only a one-third reduction in forces and bending moments if the line is cut short by 50 per- cent of its total expansion. Coldspring in accordance with H-12.5 of Design Guide. 10) Pipes that span long distances are subject to vibration. This can be caused by the pipe's being in resonance with a pump some distance away. The vibration is amplified and telegraphed. A vibration can come froma surge in a reciprocating pump or compressor, or the wind can cause it. Vibration should therefore be considered when supporting pipe. 11) Long runs up a tower are usually supported near the nozzle, from the tower. Guides are also required in the riser to11) stop sway from wind. AI1 runs, therefore, should be kept as close to the tower as possible, and they should not be located outboard of a platform. If a riser, by virtue of its nozzle and the top elbow, comes too far away from the tower, it should be bent back to the tower. 12) The stress at flanged connections should be limited to 15,000 psi. Locate all orifices and blanks where they will be easily accessible. With orifice flanges, this is not always possible, because of the runs required, but an attempt should be made. 3. PIPE AND ROTATING EQUIPMENT One of the most controversial subjects in the field of stress analysis is the amount of force that can be placed on equipment, The turbine and compressor manufacturers have established standards, and although their allowable reactions may at times seem low, they must be abided by. Pump manufacturers, however, are more reticent. The same problems that confront the turbine and compressor manufacturers confront them, but they are more reluctant to spell out allowable reactions. They worry about the shaft bending and ruining the bearings, they worry about the packing, and they worry about casing distortion that may cause the impeller to rub on the casing. These fears are real enough but the lack of standards can some- times create problems. It is not uncommon for a manufacturer to request no piping reaction on his pump. Of course, this is impossible. Since there are severe limits placed on rotating equipment, extra care must be used in laying out the piping and supporting it. Fig. 2 shows the usual way suction piping is conceived for a dual pump arrangement. Point ae Point «a pint Point m ’ a etn cD gs NO 2 COMMON CONCEETION of 3 LOOPING AIING back over tsaty Sewer he-pming of Fag’ Pot m shuld bee fo ‘ducer less fluid friction feasible,