If pumps are the “heart” of your processing system, piping would be the veins and arteries that get your product from one piece of equipment to the next, ultimately transferring your raw materials into the unit and the finished products out into the world.
The importance of following a piping code cannot be overstated when designing and building piping. The details that lead to a safe and high-quality finished product depend on a well-conceived plan.
Some of the other considerations when designing and building your piping system include:
- What are the Code/Local Jurisdiction requirements?
- What Size will the pipe be (typically determined by fluid type, pressure, temperature, desired flow rate)?
- What are the necessary Materials of Construction (MOC)?
- What is the Routing of the pipe?
- Will you utilize a Fabricator with a written Quality Program, who qualifies welders in accordance with ASME Section IX?
- How will the pipe be supported and Is stress analysis warranted?
- Will it be insulated?
A poorly-designed and/or fabricated piping system has the potential to create a myriad of complex issues that can be nearly impossible to unravel. It is critical to pick the best partner who can help your process designers choose the right piping system details to meet your requirements.
This brings us to the end of our series on Supplemental Process Equipment. We hope you have found it informative and we look forward to our next series, of which we will provide a sneak peek in next month’s newsletter!
