Piping System Design Steps

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Piping System Design Steps

Step 1: Define System Requirements


Purpose: Establish system conditions to design the piping system.

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).

Step 2: Material Selection


Purpose: Choose the correct material based on design conditions and standards.

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.

Step 3: Hydraulic Studies


Purpose: Determine flow characteristics, allowable velocity, and basic pressure drop values.

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.

Step 4: Pipe Sizing


Purpose: Determine the required pipe diameter based on flow rate and allowable velocity.

Inputs:
 Flow Rate (Q): From Step 1.
 Allowable Velocity (v): From Step 3.

Equations Used:
 Diameter Formula:

D = sqrt((4 * Q) / (π * v))

- D: Pipe internal diameter (m)


- Q: Flow Rate (m³/s)
- v: Allowable velocity (m/s).

Outputs:
 Selected nominal pipe size and schedule.

Step 5: Pressure Drop Calculations


Purpose: Determine pressure losses due to friction, fittings, and components.

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)

- ΔP: Pressure Drop (Pa)


- f: Friction factor
- L: Length of pipe (m)
- ρ: Density (kg/m³)
- v: Velocity (m/s)

Outputs:
 Total pressure drop across the system.

Step 6: Wall Thickness Calculation


Purpose: Ensure the pipe can safely handle internal pressure.

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

- t: Wall thickness (mm)


- P: Internal Pressure (Pa)
- D: Outer Diameter (mm)
- S: Allowable Stress (Pa)
- E: Weld Joint Efficiency (typically 0.85–1)
- C: Corrosion Allowance (mm).

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.

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