Process Piping Fundamentals,
Codes and Standards
Course No: M05-023
Credit: 5 PDH
A. Bhatia
Continuing Education and Development, Inc.
9 Greyridge Farm Court
Stony Point, NY 10980
P: (877) 322-5800
F: (877) 322-4774
[email protected]
Process Piping Fundamentals, Codes and Standards – Module 1
Process Piping Fundamentals, Codes and Standards
One of the most important components of the process infrastructure is the vast
network of pipelines —literally millions and millions of miles. The term process piping
generally refers to the system of pipes that transport fluids (e.g. fuels, chemicals,
industrial gases, etc.) around an industrial facility involved in the manufacture of
products or in the generation of power. It also is used to describe utility piping
systems (e.g., air, steam, water, compressed air, fuels etc.) that are used in, or in
support of the industrial process. Also, certain drainage piping, where corrosive or
toxic fluids are being transported and severe conditions may be present, or where it
is simply outside the scope of plumbing codes, is also sometimes classified as
process piping. Some places where process piping is used are obvious, such as
chemical and petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries, pharmaceutical
manufacturing facilities, and pulp and paper plants. However, there are many other
not so obvious places where process piping is commonplace, such as semiconductor
facilities, automotive and aircraft plants, water treatment operations, waste treatment
facilities and many others.
This course provides fundamental knowledge in the design of process piping. It
covers the guidance on the applicable codes and materials.
This course is the 1st of a 9-module series that cover the entire gamut of piping
engineering. All topics are introduced to readers with no or limited background on
the subject.
This course is divided in Three (3) chapters:
CHAPTER -1: THE BASICS OF PIPING SYSTEM
This chapter covers the introduction to the pipe sizes, pipe
schedules, dimensional tolerances, pressure ratings, frequently
used materials, criterial for material selection, associations
involved in generating piping codes, design factors depending
on fluid type, pressure, temperature and corrosion, roles and
responsibilities of piping discipline, key piping deliverables and
cost of piping system.
CHAPTER – 2: DEFINITIONS, TERMINOLOGY AND ESSENTIAL
VOCABULARY
This chapter provides essential definitions and terminology,
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Process Piping Fundamentals, Codes and Standards – Module 1
each piping engineer and designer should familiar with. This is
based on the Author’s experience on the use of vocabulary in
most design engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)
companies.
CHAPTER – 3: DESIGN CODES AND STANDARDS
This chapter discusses the associations involved in generating
piping codes and material specifications. It provides description
of various ASME pressure piping codes such as B31.1 Power
Piping, B31.3 Process Piping, B31.4 Pipeline Transportation
Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons, B31.5 Refrigeration Piping
and Heat Transfer Components, B31.8 Gas Transmission and
Distribution Piping Systems, B31.9 Building Services Piping and
B31.11 Slurry Transportation Piping Systems. It also provides
information on the associations involved in material
specifications such as API - American Petroleum Institute
Standards, ASTM – American Society of Testing Materials,
ASME Piping Components Standards, American Welding
Society (AWS), American Water Works Association (AWWA)
and EN – European Standards.
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Process Piping Fundamentals, Codes and Standards – Module 1
CHAPTER - 1
1. THE BASICS OF PIPING SYSTEM
A piping system is an assembly of pipe, fittings, valves, and specialty components.
All piping systems are engineered to transport a fluid or gas safely and reliably from
one piece of equipment to another.
Piping is divided into two main categories:
• Small bore lines
• Large bore lines
As a general practice, those pipe lines with nominal diameters 2” (50mm) and under
are classified as small bore and greater than 2” (50mm) NB as large bore.
This course is designed to introduce you to the basic concepts of piping engineering,
which is all about designing, fabricating and constructing lines for conveying fluids.
1.1. ABBREVIATIONS
NPS Nominal Pipe Size
DN Diamètre Nominal
ID Inside Diameter
OD Outside Diameter
SCH Schedule (Wall Thickness)
STD Standard Weight Wall Thickness
XS Extra Strong Wall Thickness
XXS Double Extra Strong Wall Thickness
1.2. PIPE SIZES
Pipe sizes are designated by two numbers: Diameter and Thickness.
In the US, pipe size is designated by two non-dimensional numbers: Nominal Pipe
Size (NPS) and schedule (SCH). Let’s check some key relationships:
• Nominal pipe size (NPS) is used to describe a pipe by name only. Nominal
pipe size (NPS) is generally associated with the inside diameter (ID) for sizes
1/8” to 12”. For sizes 14” and beyond, the NPS is equal to the outside
diameter (OD) in inches.
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Process Piping Fundamentals, Codes and Standards – Module 1
• Outside diameter (OD) and inside diameter (ID), as their names imply, refer to
pipe by their actual outside and inside measurements. Outside diameter (OD)
remains same for a given size irrespective of pipe thickness.
• Schedule refers to the pipe wall thickness. As the schedule number
increases, the wall thickness increases, and the inside diameter (ID) is
reduced.
• Nominal Bore (NB) along with schedule (wall thickness) is used in British
standards classification.
Important
In process piping, the method of sizing pipe maintains a uniform outside diameter
while varying the inside diameter. This method achieves the desired strength
necessary for pipe to perform its intended function while operating under various
temperatures and pressures. It is also important to maintain certain interchangeability
of pipe fittings.
1.2.1. The European designation
The European designation equivalent to NPS is DN (Diamètre Nominal/nominal
diameter). The pipe sizes are measured in millimetres.
Relationship - NPS and DN pipe sizes
NPS ½ 3/4 1 1¼ 1½ 2 2½ 3 3½ 4
DN 15 20 25 32 40 50 65 80 90 100
Note - For NPS of 4 and larger, the DN is equal to the NPS multiplied by 25 (not
25.4).
1.3. PIPE SCHEDULES (SCH)
The Schedule of pipe refers to the wall thickness of pipe in the American system.
Eleven schedule numbers are available for Carbon Steel Pipes:
5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, & 160
The most popular schedule, by far, is 40.
Schedules 5, 60, 100, 120, & 140 have rarely been used.
Thickness of the pipe increases with the schedule number.
This means that:
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