Abstract

Many factors must be considered in the design of a piping system. These include the selection of the pipe material based on the design pressure and temperature, the corrosivity and flow rate of the fluid, the determination of the pipe size based on fluid mechanical considerations; and the application of valving. The ANSI/ASME B31 Code for Pressure Piping is delineated. Included are the mechanical and structural aspects of design; namely, the determination of pipe wall thickness, the design and selection of pipe supports, and the methods for ensuring that the piping has adequate flexibility to accommodate temperature changes and equipment settlement. Material selection based on compatibility with the flow stream and plant layout are discussed. Other considerations include field or shop construction, maintenance and when and how to inspect systems.