Optimal Piping Support Design: For Pumps, Vessels and Exchangers

II JAY SHRI KRISHNA II

Piping systems connected to pumps, vessels, and exchangers are vital components of industrial facilities. However, improper support design can lead to significant operational challenges, including excessive stress, vibration and potential equipment failure. To ensure the longevity and reliability of these systems, it's crucial to understand and implement best practices for piping support.

Optimal Piping Support Design: For Pumps, Vessels and Exchangers

This guide delves into key considerations for designing effective piping support systems, with a focus on mitigating thermal expansion and accommodating maintenance requirements. By following these principles, engineers can optimize piping support design and enhance overall plant performance.

Introduction:

Properly supporting piping systems connected to pumps, vessels and exchangers is crucial for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of industrial facilities. Failure to provide adequate support can lead to excessive stress, vibration, and potential equipment damage. This article delves into several key considerations for designing effective piping support systems.

One of the primary challenges in piping support design is accommodating thermal expansion. As the temperature of a pipe changes, it expands or contracts, which can induce significant stresses on the piping and its connected equipment. To mitigate these stresses, engineers must carefully select support locations and types.

Following provided some cases highlight specific scenarios where careful consideration is required for supporting piping systems connected to pumps, vessels and exchangers. Here's a breakdown of each case:

Case 1: Hot Pump Suction Nozzle

Scenario:

When a non-insulated trunnion is used to support a control valve near a hot pump's suction nozzle, the weight of the valve can put excessive stress on the nozzle. This is because the trunnion may contract due to cooling, leading to separation from the nozzle and transferring the load to the nozzle itself.

Preventing Nozzle Stress with Insulated Trunnions

Solution:

To prevent this issue, the trunnion should be insulated. This insulation helps maintain the trunnion's temperature, preventing contraction and ensuring it remains in contact with the nozzle. By doing so, the trunnion effectively supports the valve's weight, relieving stress from the suction nozzle.

Case 2: Supporting a Line from a Short Vessel

Efficient Piping Support
for Short Vessels
Scenario:

When a piping system is connected to the top nozzle of a short vessel, and both components have similar material and operating temperatures, the thermal expansion of both the vessel and piping will be relatively minimal.

Solution:

In such cases, a single ground-level support can be sufficient to accommodate the limited thermal expansion. The inherent flexibility of the piping itself can absorb the minor changes in length due to temperature fluctuations. This approach simplifies the support design and reduces construction costs.

Case 3: Supporting a Line from a Tall Vessel

Scenario:

When a piping system is connected to a tall vessel with significant temperature differences between the top and bottom sections, the thermal expansion of the vessel can induce substantial stress on the connected piping.

Supporting Piping on Tall Vessels

Solution:

To mitigate this stress, the piping should be supported at the "neutral point." This is the location along the vessel where the thermal expansion and contraction effects from the top and bottom sections counteract each other. Typically, this point is near the nozzle connection.

Additionally, incorporating a flexible expansion loop near the pump support can further accommodate thermal movement and reduce stress on the piping and nozzle. Alternatively, the piping can be supported at the bottom with a loop provided at the top to absorb thermal expansion.

Case 4: Supporting Suction and Discharge Piping to a Pump

Scenario:

When supporting suction and discharge piping connected to a pump, it's essential to ensure that the supports can accommodate maintenance activities such as valve or strainer replacement.

Solution:

To meet this requirement, adjustable supports or resting points can be incorporated into the piping system. These flexible supports can be adjusted to maintain the pipe's alignment and stability during maintenance operations. By providing adequate support, the risk of damage to the piping and equipment is minimized.

Case 5: Accommodating Maintenance for Large Pipes and Exchangers

Scenario:

When dealing with large-diameter pipes and exchangers, maintenance tasks such as gasket replacement often require access and adjustments to the piping system. Rigid support structures can hinder these activities.

Solution:

To facilitate maintenance, adjustable supports should be employed. These supports can be easily adjusted to accommodate changes in the pipe or exchanger dimensions during maintenance operations. By providing flexibility in the support system, the risk of damage to the equipment and potential delays in maintenance activities is significantly reduced.

Fixed Saddle Location for Exchangers

Principle:

To minimize the impact of thermal expansion on the piping system, the fixed saddle should be located near a stiff connection to the vessel or exchanger. A stiff connection is a rigid piping segment that limits the flexibility of the piping.

Specific Cases:

Fixed Saddle Placement for Thermal Expansion Control
Case 1:

In this scenario, the fixed saddle should be placed closer to the stiff connection (A) to reduce the thermal expansion loads on the pump nozzle. This minimizes the stress on the pump connection and prevents excessive movement.

Case 2:

To minimize overall expansion and stress in the piping system, the fixed saddle should be located at point B. This arrangement helps absorb the thermal expansion of the vessel and piping, reducing the load on the flexible sections.

Case 3:

In this case, either saddle A or B can be fixed, as both are equidistant from the 20-inch line. However, fixing saddle B can be advantageous as it can reduce the load on the 8-inch pump line. This choice depends on the specific requirements of the piping system and the desired stress distribution.

By carefully selecting the location of the fixed saddle, engineers can optimize the piping support system and enhance the overall reliability of the equipment.

Why This Post Matters to Piping Engineers?

As a piping engineer, understanding the core concepts of piping support design is critical to ensuring the longevity, safety and efficiency of industrial facilities. This post provides a foundational guide to help you navigate the complexities of this essential engineering discipline.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mastering Thermal Expansion:

Learn how to effectively mitigate thermal expansion-induced stresses through strategic support placement and the use of expansion loops and flexible connectors.

2. Prioritizing Maintenance Accessibility:

Design support systems that facilitate easy access to valves, pumps and other components, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

3. Optimizing Fixed Saddle Locations:

Understand the impact of fixed saddle placement on system performance and stress distribution.

4. Adhering to Industry Standards:

Stay compliant with relevant codes and standards like ASME B31.3 to ensure the safety and integrity of your designs.

Implementing these principles will help you...

Enhance Plant Reliability: Reduce the risk of equipment failures and unplanned shutdowns.

Improve Safety: Mitigate hazards associated with thermal expansion and vibration.

Optimize Plant Performance: Contribute to increased efficiency and productivity.

Reduce Maintenance Costs: Minimize the frequency and cost of maintenance interventions.

By mastering the art of piping support design, you can make a significant impact on the success of industrial projects. Let's elevate your engineering skills and build a safer, more efficient future together.

Conclusion:

Effective piping support design is the cornerstone of reliable and efficient industrial operations. While we've explored several key scenarios and solutions in this guide, it's essential to learn from the collective experiences of the piping engineering community.

We encourage you to share your own success stories and innovative solutions in the comments section below. By sharing your insights, you can help others and contribute to the ongoing advancement of piping support design.

Together, we can elevate the standards of industrial engineering and build a safer, more efficient future.