PIPING DESIGN LAYOUT TRAINING

LESSON 1
PIPE STRESS
Page 85 of 95
15/11/2002 Rev. 0

necessity and require an overhead structure. Hydraulic rubbers may be

required if the line is resonant with the heater pulse so line routing should
be in a manner which permits minimum shock absorber installation either
initially or later in the field if vibration develops. Predicting resonance on
these lines is practically impossible and controlling it after start-up, if and
when it develops, can be quite expansive if the line is not routed reasonably
close to structures or equipment which can be utilized.

3.3.2 Overhead line from vessel to condensers: This is usually one of the largest,
if not the largest, line attaching to a vessel. The trend has been for more
application of air coolers to perform the condensing operation, which can
create a major support problem. The vertical expansion of the vessel
frequently is large, exceeding the compensating growth of the line by more
than one inch. Routing the line down the side adjacent to the condenser
may not be the most economical if lengths and elbows have to be added for
flexibility reasons, then spring hangers have to be added for unbalanced
loads and line stability. To further complicate the problem, relief valves are
sometimes added on this line to a blowdown system, linking the flexibility of
both systems and adding a weight concentration with no visible means of
support, because the line is ten feet or more above the nearest available
structure. The route that appears shortest sometimes turns out the longest
unless temperature differential growths are evaluated.

3.3.3 Vessel reflux lines: These lines are normally the smallest line on the vessels
and consequently considered quite flexible. The problem here is created
when a control valve assembly is located directly below the nozzle and
adjacent to the vessel at grade. Due to the relatively low temperature of
these lines, the bottom of the Control Valve loop is pulled up over 1-1/2", so
that special guides and spring supports must be detailed if the C.V. manifold
is left in this location. Relocating the C.V. manifold below the pipeway run
avoids this problem, or as an alternate, locating the manifold on vessel
platform close to the reflux nozzle. The alternate location on the platform
may or may not be approved by the Instrument or Process engineer if he
thinks hand operation of the bypass valve makes it necessary to locate at
grade because of fluctuating operations. It is a matter of opinion and
operators' methods, however, and worth consideration, as automated
design is becoming more reliable.