Standards of Pressure Piping System

September 12, 2016

We've covered pressure vessel structural viability with zeal, but now it's time to turn the spotlight, to illuminate the standards of pressure piping systems. Considerations for these essential fluid conduits are governed by many design factors, all of which ensure flow integrity is reinforced. After all, a vessel is a known quantity, one that occupies finite space, but pipework assemblies zoom off in sectional tangles. They require coupling mechanisms, junctures, and any number of extraneous parts, so the piping system must not be perceived as a weak link.

International Standards of Pressure Piping Systems

Mechanical pipework synergy rules this domain, so expect to see the Australian piping code AS4041—2006 align with the American ASME B31.3 2008 standard as well as several other international codes. These regulations provide a guide to the selection of pipework in any imaginable industrial or commercial scenario, so pipe thickness and pipe fixtures are all covered in this publication. On covering this topic from a less legislated viewpoint, the goal is simply to evaluate the processing criteria and provide a fluid transportation framework that safely distributes that particular fluid through a mechanically robust channel.

Factors to Consider When Designing Pressure Piping Systems

The engineering team views the fluid distributing channels as a vast network, one that's uniformly pressurized by a known medium. Influencing factors that could undermine the pipes include:

• The overall thickness of the pipe
• Material fabrication methodologies
• Flow characteristics of the fluid
• Chemical properties of the fluid
• Maximum and minimum working pressure

Above and beyond these conditional factors, the length of the pipe, number of twists and turns, and any extreme environmental factors play a role in the design. Finally, perhaps most importantly, the mechanical couplers that connect each section must be assessed. This latter consideration will likely be implemented as part of a continuous preventative maintenance plan.

Governing the Standards

As the standards of piping systems divide and divide again, the regulations adjust to complement these changes. There are codes that dictate the design of pressurized fuel and gas distribution networks, for instance, but other sections require greater design acuity. We're referring to chemical processing plants, the pipes that endure under caustic chemical changes and near explosive catalyzing reactions.

Pressure vessel design is a complex subject, one that uses geometrical profiles and proven fabrication technology. But pressure piping design is also a complex science, one that uses many factors to build a fluid distribution network that can safely transport pressurized liquids and gasses over long distances.

Contact Details

Fusion - Weld Engineering Pty Ltd
ABN 98 068 987619

1865 Frankston Flinders Road,
Hastings, VIC 3915

Ph: (03) 5909 8218

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