General Notes on Piping

Presented by – Binay Kumar

Mentored by – Mr. Sanjay Kanojia
Pipes :-A pressure-tight cylinder used to convey fluid or to
transmit fluid pressure.
Seamless pipe

• Seamless pipes are derived from a solid round shape known

as “billets” which are then heated and cast over a piercing
rod to create a hollow tube or shell.
• SMLS pipe is used in high-pressure, most critical locations
and under most severe operating conditions 
• Sizes: 1/2″ NB to 14″ NB(As per PMS)
• Material Spec :-ASTM A106 Gr B(CS), A335 (Gr P5,P9,
P11)(AS), A312 (TP304 TP316L)(SS), A358(SS), etc.,
• Dimensions Spec :- ASME B36.10,IS 1239,IS 3589(CS) and
B36.19(SS)
• Ends: Plain End, Beveled End
 • Electric resistance welded (ERW) pipe is manufactured by cold-forming a
sheet of steel into a cylindrical shape.
• Current is then passed between the two edges of the steel to heat and
edges are forced together to form a bond.
• Cheaper in comparison to seamless pipe and an efficient alternative
to seamless pipes

Electric • Pipe Size : 1/2” NB to 24” NB

• Spécifications : Materials ASTM A53(CS),A312(SS)
resistance- Dimension ASME B36.10,IS 1239,IS 3589(CS) and

welded pipe
B36.19(SS)
• End : Plain End, Bevel End, Threaded
 Electric-fusion welded pipe
• pipe having a longitudinal butt joint wherein coalescence is
produced in the preformed tube by manual or automatic electric-
arc welding.
• The weld may be single (welded from one side) or double
(welded from inside and outside) and may be made with or
without the addition of filler metal.
• Pipes material :- ASTM A691 (Gr 9 CR CL42 , Gr 1.25 CR CL42)
(AS),A672 Gr B60 (CL12 , CL22)(CS), A358 TP(316L CL1, 304 CL1)
(SS)
• Size Range:  10” NB to 54” NB, NB(As per PMS)
• Ends :Bevel End
Submerged arc Wielded pipe
• Submerged-arc welding (SAW) is a common arc welding
process that involves the formation of an arc between a continuously
fed electrode and the workpiece.
• A blanket of powdered flux generates a protective gas shield and a
slag (and may also be used to add alloying elements to the weld
pool) which protects the weld zone.
• Pipes material :- IS 3589 Gr 410
• Size Range:  16” NB to 80” NB, (As per PMS)
• Ends :Bevel End
Spiral wielded pipe
• pipe having a helical seam with a butt joint which is
welded using either an electrical resistance or electric
fusion
• The strength of the spiral welded pipe is generally
higher than that of the straight welded pipe.
• The spiral welded pipe can produce welded pipes with
different pipe diameters with the same width of
blanks,
• The production speed is low in comparison with the
straight pipe welded pipe of the same length because
the weld length is increased by 30 to 100.
• Therefore, the smaller diameter welded pipes are
mostly straight seam welded, while the large diameter
welded pipes are mostly spiral welded.
Flanges :-A flange is a method of connecting pipes, valves, pumps and other equipment
to form a piping system. It also provides easy access for cleaning, inspection or modification  

Types of flanges :-
• Weld Neck Flange
• Slip On flange
• Socket Weld flange
• Lap Joint flange
• Threaded flange
• Blind flange
• Spectacle Blind Flange
• Spacer and Blind Flange
Weld Neck Flange

• Weld neck flange (WN flange) has a neck that can

relocated stress of the pipe, so to reduce the pressure that
gathered in the flange bottom.
• It is compatible to the pipelines that works in high or low
temperature and bear high pressure. Specially for the pipe
or the valves when PN is larger than 2.5 Mpa.
• Sizes: 1/2'‘NB to 54'‘NB
• Pressure Ratings: Class 150 to 2500
• Face Type: RF,FF, RTJ
• Dimension Code –ASME B16.5(Upto 24”), B16.47
B (Above 24”)
• Material Code -A105(CS), A182(SS) 
Slip on Flange

• Slip On Flanges are preferred over the Weld-neck,

because of the lower initial cost.
• But its life under fatigue conditions is only one-third
that of the weld-neck flange.
• Less time needed to spent on ensuring the accuracy of
the cut pipe. They are somewhat easier to align.
• Size: 1/2”NB to 14”NB,  
Pressure class: Class 150
Facing: RF ,FF
• Dimension Code –ASME B16.5, B16.47, B16.48 
• Material Code -A105, A350(CS), A182 (SS)
 Socket Weld Flange
Material Code : Carbon steel ASTM A105, A350, A181,
Stainless steel ASTM A182
Dimension Code : ASME/ANSI B16.5  • Face Type: RF, FF
• Used on smaller sizes of high pressure pipes. These
pipe flanges are attached by inserting the pipe into the
socket end and applying fillet weld around the top.
• Socket weld flange could replace threaded flange, to
minimize the risky of leakage.
• Welding work outside of the pipe, will not penetrate
the pipe bore
• Requires higher skills for welder, which the welding
need to make sure that the expanding gap between the
pipe and shoulder is 1/16 inch.
• Size : 1/2 inch to 24 inch, up to 600#
Lap Joint Flange

• Lap joint flange shape is similar to slip on flange, it has a

curved radius at the bore, which can connect with a stub end
fittings and slide over the pipe.
• It has advantage of easy alignment of the bolt hole, easy to
install and uninstall, much more convenient to do
examinations and maintenance.
• The flange does not come in contact with the process fluid so
it is not affected by it.
• Lap joint flange is typically used for low pressure
application. It is not suitable when the flange pair need to
bear high loads
• Size : 1/2'‘NB to 24‘’NB
• Pressure Ratings: Class 150
• Material Code -A105, A182 
Threaded Flange

• Threaded flange is connecting with pipe without welding. It

is fitted with a tapered thread (screw) inside the flange bore
that is mounted on the pipe with corresponding external
threads.
• Threaded fittings mostly is used in small diameters pipeline.
• It is not compatible with a pipe system in thin wall thickness,
since there is no space for doing the threading.
• Common Outer Diameters: 1/2'‘ NB to 24‘’ NB
• Pressure class: Class 150
• Facing: RF,FF
• Material Code -Carbon steel: A105, A350
• Stainless steel: A182 
Blind Flange
• The blind flange serves a function similar to that of a
plug or cap. It is used to terminate the end of a piping
system.
• Blind flanges can also be used to seal a nozzle opening
on a pressure vessel.
• Size : 1/2'‘NB to 54‘’NB
• Pressure class: Class 150 to Class 2,500
• Dimension Code –ASME B16.5, B16.47
• Material Code -Carbon steel: A105, A350
• Stainless steel: A182 
Spectacle Blind Flange
• The shape of the Spectacle Blind  Flange is similar to a pair
of glasses or spectacles – hence the name .
• One end of the Spectacle Blind  Flange will have an
opening which allows for flowing movement through the
pipe during operation. While the other end  of the Spectacle
Blind  Flange is solid, which blocks the flow during
• Size & Dimension Code : ASME B16.48
• upto size 8 ‘’
• Face Type: FF, RF, RTJ
• Pressure class: Class 150 to Class 2,500#
• Material Code -Carbon steel: A105, A350
• Stainless steel: A182 
Spacer and Blind Flange
• Spades and Ring Spacers are basically the same as
Spectacle Blinds, except that both are not attached
to each other.
• Spades and Spacers be applied in systems where
maintenance is often not necessary, or in
applications with large pipe sizes.
• Size & Dimension Code : ASME B16.48
above size 8 ‘’
• Face Type: FF, RF, RTJ
• Pressure class: Class 150 to Class 2,500#
• Material Code -Carbon steel: A105, A350
Stainless steel: A182 
FLANGE FACE FINISH:- It is provided because under compression the face from a gasket will embed
into this finish, which helps create a seal, and a high level of friction is generated between the mating surfaces.

• Stock Finish: Gaskets get “squeezed” into the flange face surface and create a
very tight seal. 1000 µin AARH max.

• Serrated Finish / 125 AARH /: Spiral serrated finish is a phonographic

spiral groove type that differs from the stock finish as the groove is crafted by a
90 degrees tool Serrations with 125-250µin AARH

• Smooth finish 63 AARH: Flanges with a smooth finish do not show

visible tool markings at naked eye.
• This type of flange finish is used with metal-facing gaskets such as the jacketed
type, Ring Type.
Valves:-Valves are mechanical devices that controls the flow and pressure within a system or
process.

Types of valves
• On - off Valve :- Gate Valve , Plug valve, Butterfly Valve, Diaphragm
• Flow regulation :- Globe Valve , Ball Valve , Needle Valve
• Non Return Type:- Check Valve
• Pressure Relief Valve
Gate Valve
• A gate valve is the most common type of valve in any
process plant. It is a linear motion valve used to start or stop
fluid flow
• In service, these valves are either in a fully open or fully
closed position
• Gate valves are used in almost all fluid services such as air,
fuel gas, feed water, steam, lube oil, hydrocarbon, and
almost any services.
• Pressure Class Rating :- 150 to 2500#
• Size Range:  1/2” NB to 42” NB
• Dimension Std – API 602 ,600, ISO 15761,ISO 10434
Globe valve

• Globe valve is used to stop, start, and regulate the fluid flow.
• Globe Valves are used in the systems where flow control is
required and leak tightness is also necessary.
• Globe valve provides better shut off as compared to the gate valve
and it is costlier than a gate valve.
• Pressure Class Rating :- 150 to 2500#
• Size Range:  1/2” NB to 16” NB
• Dimension Std – API 602/ISO 15761 , BS-1873
Plug Valve
• Plug valve is a Quarter-turn rotary motion Valve that uses a
tapered or cylindrical plug to stop or start the flow. The disk is
in plug shape, which has a passage to pass the flow.
• Plug valve used as on-off stop valves and capable of providing
bubble-tight shutoff.
• Plug valve can be used in a vacuum to high-pressure &
temperature applications.
• Pressure Class Rating :- 150 to 2500#
• Size Range:  1/2” NB to 12” NB
• Dimension Std – API 599 , BS-5353
Ball valve
• A Ball valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve that uses a
ball-shaped disk to stop or start the flow.
• Most ball valves are of the quick-acting type, which requires
a 90° turn of the valve handle to operate the valve.
• The ball valve is Smaller and lighter than a gate valve of the
same size and rating.
• Pressure Class Rating :- 150 to 1500#
• Size Range:  1/2” NB to 16” NB
• Dimension Std – API 6D , BS EN ISO 17292
Butterfly Valve
• A Butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve, that is used
to stop, regulate, and start the flow.
• The butterfly valve has a short circular body. Butterfly Valve is
suitable for large valve applications due to Compact, lightweight
design that requires considerably less space, as compared to other
valves.
• Pressure Class Rating :- 150 to 2500#
• Size Range:  3” NB to 48” NB
• Dimension Std – API 609, BS EN 593
Needle Valve
• Needle valves are similar to a globe valve in design with the
biggest difference is the sharp needle-like disk.
• It gives very accurate control of flow in small diameter piping
systems. They get their name from their sharp-pointed conical
disc and matching seat.
• Needle valves can be used as both on/off and throttle valves
• where precise adjustments of flow are required or where a small
flow rate is desired
• Size Range:  1/2” NB to 2” NB
Pressure Relief Valve

• A pressure Relief valve or pressure safety valve are used to

protect equipment or piping system during an overpressure
event or in the event of vacuum.
• This valve releases the pressure or vacuum at a pre-defined
set pressure.
Check Valve
• It prevents backflow in the piping system.
• The pressure of the fluid passing through a pipeline opens the
valve, while any reversal of flow will close the valve.
Types of Check Valves.
• Swing Type:-
It allows full, unobstructed flow and automatically closes as
pressure decreases.
Usually installed in combination with gate valves because
they provide relatively free flow combinations
• Lift Type:-
Particularly suitable for high-pressure service because disk is
perfectly set on the seat with full contact.
They are suitable for installation in horizontal or vertical
pipelines with upward flow.
Commonly used in piping systems that used globe valves as a
flow control valve.
Dual Plate Type :-
Two halves of the disk move towards centreline with the forward flow and
with reverse flow two halves open and rest on the seat to close the flow.

Popular in low-pressure liquid and gaseous services.

Due to lightweight and compact construction , it a preferable choice when

space and convenience are important.

The cost of installation & maintenance is very low compared to other types.

Stop Check Valve :-Stop Check Valve is a combination of a lift check valve
and a globe valve. It can either be used as a check valve or as an isolation
(stop) valve like a globe valve.

These valves can be closed with the help of a stem that is not connected to
the valve disc during normal operation and make it possible to use these
valves as a regular NRV.

Pressure Class Rating :- 150 to 2500#

Size Range:  1/2” NB to 24” NB

Dimension Std – B 16.34, API 602/ISO 15761

 VALVE BONNETS
• Bolted Bonnet :-The body flange and Bonnet flange are joined by studs and nuts, with a gasket of suitable
design/material inserted between the flange faces to facilitate sealing .
• As system pressure increases, the potential for leakage through the body/Bonnet joint also increases.

• Pressure Seal Bonnet :-Pressure seal construction is adopted for Valves for high pressure service, typically
in excess of above 170 bar.  
• The unique feature about the pressure seal Bonnet is that the body-Bonnet joints seals improves as the internal pressure
in the Valve increases, compared to other constructions where the increase in internal pressure tends to create leaks in
the body-Bonnet joint.
• According to PMS
Upto 600# rating, 2" and larger size steel Gate, Globe & Check valves in Hydrocarbon and utility service shall have
bolted bonnets.
Pressure-seal bonnets or covers shall be used for Classes 900# and above to minimize bonnet leakage.
Bolted Bonnet vs Pressure seal Bonnets
 PIPE FITTINGS
• Pipe Fittings are Piping component that helps in
Changes the direction of the flow. Changes the
size of pipe such as reducers, reducing tees.
• It is also used to Connect different components
such as couplings and stop the flows such as
Caps.
TYPES OF PIPE FITTING
 PIPE FITTING USES
PIPE ELBOW • It provides flexibility to change the pipe direction. Elbow mainly
available in two standard types 90° and 45°.
• Available in two radius types, Short radius (1D) and Long Radius
(1.5D).
• Available Sizes : 1/2” NB to 48” NB

REDUCING ELBOW • To change direction as well as reduce the size .

• Provides lower resistance to flow and reduces the effect of stream
turbulence
• Available Sizes :2” NB to 48” NB

PIPE BENDS • Used in fluid transportation lines which required pigging.

• Due to their long radius and smooth change of direction, the pipe
bend has very less pressure drop. 3D and 5D Pipe bends are
commonly available.

180° RETURNS • Make a 180º change in direction. Available in short & long pattern.
• Returns are used in the heating coil, heat exchanger, etc.
• Available Sizes :2” NB to 24” NB

PIPE TEES • Used for distributing the fluid from the run pipe .
• There are two types of Tee used in piping, Equal / Straight Tee, and
Reducing / Unequal Tee.
• Available Sizes :2” NB to 48” NB

WYE TEES • It is a type of Tee that has the branch at a 45° angle, or an angle
other than 90°. Wye tee allows one pipe to be joined to another
• Tee reduces friction and turbulence that could hamper the flow.
• Available Sizes :2” NB to 48” NB
 PIPE FITTING USES

CROSS • Cross is also known as four-way pipe fitting. A cross

has one inlet and three outlets (or vice versa).
• But forged crosses are common in the firewater
sprinkler line.
• Available Sizes :2” NB to 24” NB
PIPE REDUCERS • A pipe reducer changes the size of the pipe. There
are two types of the reducer used in piping
Concentric & Eccentric.
• Available Sizes :3” NB to 36” NB
SWAGE REDUCER • The swage is like reducers but small in size and
used to connect pipes to smaller screwed or socket
welded pipes.
• Available Sizes :2” NB to 3” NB
PIPE CAPS • The cap covers the end of a pipe. Pipe caps are
used at the dead end of the piping system.
• It is also used in piping headers for future
connections.
• Available Sizes :1/2” NB to 36” NB
STUB ENDS • Stub ends are used with lap joint flange. The stub is
butt welded to the pipe.
• Available Sizes :1/2” NB to 36” NB
PIPE FITTING USES

COUPLING • Full Coupling:- Used for connecting small bore pipes. It

used to connect pipe to pipe or pipe to swage or nipple.
• Half Coupling:- Used for small bore branching from a
vessel or large pipe. It has a socket or thread end on only
one side.
• Reducing Coupling:- Reducing coupling is used to connect
two different sizes of pipe. It is like a concentric reducer
that maintains a Centreline of the pipe but small in size.
• Available Sizes :1/2” NB to 1.5” NB
PIPE NIPPLE • Short stub of a pipe that has a male pipe thread at each
end or at one end. Used for connecting pipe, hoses, and
valves. Pipe used in low-pressure piping.
• Available Sizes :1/2” NB to 1.5” NB
PIPING UNION Used as an alternative to flanges connection in low-pressure
small bore piping where the dismantling of the pipe is
required more often.
 OLETS:-Olets are generally used for branching on high pressure and high temperature applications.
.
Maximum allowable pressure of a fitting is same as for connected straight seamless run pipe of equivalent material

• Available Olet Fittings are :

• Weldolet
• Elbolet
• Sockolet
• Threadolet
• Sweepolet
• Latrolet
• Nipolet
Weldolet Used for 90 degree branch on pipe
It Comes in full size or reducing size
Weldolet’s end is suited for the butt welding
connection.

Elbolet Elbolet is a special type of olets that fits on the elbow

surface
These are used to tap on Elbow to save space. Useful
to attach thermowells.

Sockolet Sockolet is the same as weldolet but with socket end.

It is 90° branch connection
Comes in full size or reducing size
End connection is suited for socket welding

Threadolet Threadolets are used to connect small bore threaded

fittings to Buttwelding Piping Network.
Sweepolet Sweepolets are primarily developed for high-yield pipe
used in oil and gas transmission lines.
Sweepolets provides good flow pattern, and optimum
stress distribution.

Nipolet These are used to directly attach drain valves, pressure

instruments etc. to header. It helps save extra fittings
and installation work.

Fittings Codes:-
Forged steel SW and threaded fittings:- ASME B16.11
If Not Covered under B16.11, BS 3799 may be used
BW Fittings :- ASME B16.9
 Gaskets:-Gasket is sealing material placed between connecting flanges to create a static seal. This will maintain
the leakage proof sealing in all operating conditions.
Metallic gaskets Manufactured from a material such as Soft iron, Low
Carbon steel, Stainless Steel, Monel, and Inconel.

Octagonal Ring Gasket • Metallic gaskets are used in high-pressure class flanges,
Oval Ring Gasket normally above 900 Class, they can also be used for high-
temperature.
• High tension bolting is required when we used metallic
gaskets.
• They are very robust & most costly.

Non -Metallic gaskets Materials used for this type of gaskets are Graphite, Rubber,
Teflon, PTFE, and Compressed Non-Asbestos Fiber .

• Non-Metallic gaskets can easily compress with low

CNAF tension bolting.
PTFE Gasket • Used with low-pressure class flanges such as 150 and 300
Rubber Gasket Class.
• Non-Metallic gaskets are cheapest and easily available.
Composite Gasket combination of metal and non-metal material.

Spiral Wound Gaskets • most widely used composite type gasket

• Graphite or PTFE used as filler material
• stainless steel is used as the winding material

Cam profile Gaskets • Gasket is having a solid metal core with concentric grooves
• Filler material, either graphite or PTFE is layered on this
grooved metal ring
• Costlier than Spiral wound gasket but provides better
blowout resistance and easy to handle even in large
diameters.

Metal Jacketed Gasket • The Soft filler material is enclosed in a thin sheet of a metal
jacket.
• Jacketed gaskets are easily fabricated in a variety of sizes and
shapes.
• They are used in heat exchangers, shell, channel, and cover
flange joints.
 Codes for Gaskets

• Non-metallic gaskets shall conform to B16.21 (corresponding to B16.5) upto 24", and B16.21 (corresponding
to B16.47B) beyond 24", unless otherwise specified.
• Spiral wound gaskets and Ring Joint gaskets shall conform to B16.20.
 Threads
Types :-
• Straight Threads
• Taper Threads

• Reference Code :- B 1.20.1 (taper threads)

• Upto 204°C :- joint is made with 1 inch width PTFE joining tape
• Above 204°C :- joint is seal wielded with a full Strength fillet weld
• All threaded joints carrying toxic fluid shall be seal welded with full
Strength fillet weld.
Caustic Soda Service Graph