Piping System Design Steps
Piping System Design Steps
Piping System Design Steps
Inputs:
Flow Rate (Q):
Source: Project specifications or process flow diagram (PFD).
Units: kg/hr or m³/hr.
Operating Pressure (P):
Source: Process design requirements or equipment manufacturer.
Units: bar, psi.
Operating Temperature (T):
Source: Project specifications or fluid property charts.
Units: °C or °F.
Media Properties (Density, Viscosity, Specific Heat):
Source: ASME Steam Tables (for steam systems), material data sheets, or chemical engineering handbooks.
Units: kg/m³ (density), cP (viscosity).
Outputs:
Complete list of system conditions (flow rate, pressure, temperature, and fluid properties).
Inputs:
Operating Pressure and Temperature: From Step 1.
Corrosion Allowance (C): Based on fluid corrosivity and system lifespan.
Typical values: 3 mm for carbon steel, 1 mm for stainless steel.
Source: ASME B31.3 Table A-1.
Material Mechanical Properties:
Yield Strength (), Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), Modulus of Elasticity.
Source: ASTM standards, ASME BPVC, Material Handbooks.
Fluid Compatibility: Ensure selected material resists media.
Source: Chemical Compatibility Charts.
Outputs:
Selected material grade (e.g., ASTM A106 Gr. B, ASTM A312 TP 316L) and corrosion allowance.
Inputs:
Flow Rate (Q): From Step 1.
Fluid Properties:
Density (): From fluid data charts.
Viscosity (): cP.
Allowable Velocity (v):
Liquids: 2–3 m/s (Source: Piping Handbook).
Gases/Steam: 20–30 m/s (Source: Crane TP-410).
Equations Used:
Velocity Formula:
v=Q/A
- v: Velocity (m/s)
- Q: Flow Rate (m³/s)
- A: Pipe cross-sectional area (m²)
Outputs:
Calculated velocity to ensure it is within limits.
Inputs:
Flow Rate (Q): From Step 1.
Allowable Velocity (v): From Step 3.
Equations Used:
Diameter Formula:
D = sqrt((4 * Q) / (π * v))
Outputs:
Selected nominal pipe size and schedule.
Inputs:
Flow Rate (Q): From Step 1.
Pipe Diameter (D): From Step 4.
Friction Factor (f):
For turbulent flow: Use the Colebrook Equation or Moody Chart.
For laminar flow: f = 64 / Re.
Pipe Length (L): Based on layout.
Fluid Density (): From Step 1.
Equations Used:
Darcy-Weisbach Equation:
ΔP = f * (L / D) * (ρ * v² / 2)
Outputs:
Total pressure drop across the system.
Inputs:
Internal Pressure (P): From Step 1.
Pipe Outer Diameter (D): From Step 4.
Allowable Stress (): Material property.
Source: ASME B31.3 Table A-1.
Corrosion Allowance (C): From Step 2.
Equations Used:
Wall Thickness Formula:
t = (P * D) / (2 * (S * E - P)) + C
Outputs:
Final pipe wall thickness and selected schedule.
Step 7: Verification
Purpose: Cross-check all calculations against standards and project specifications.
Inputs:
All outputs from previous steps.
Design standards: ASME B31.3, Crane TP-410.
Outputs:
Verified design that meets code compliance and project requirements.