PIPES AND TUBES SIZING

Group 3
ChE-4201
Units: Pipe and Tubing Sizes and
Ratings
In this subsection, pipe and tubing sizes are generally quoted
in units of inches. To convert inches to millimeters, multiply
by 25.4. Ratings are given in pounds. To convert pounds to
kilograms, multiply by 0.454.

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 CODES,
STANDARDS
AND REGULATIONS
 Pressure-Piping Codes

ASME B31 ASME B31.3

-Consists of a number of sections which -Derived from a merging of the code

collectively constitute the code groups for chemical-plant (B31.6) and

-Table 10-18 shows the status of the petroleum-refinery (B31.3) piping into a

B31 code as of July 2005 single committee

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5
 National Standards
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American
Petroleum Institute (API) have established dimensional standards for the most
widely used piping components.
Lists of these standards as well as specifications for pipe and fitting materials and
testing methods of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM),
American Welding Society (AWS) specifications, and standards of the
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry (MSS)
can be found in the ASME B31 code sections.

Use of published standards does not eliminate the need for engineering judgment.
For example, although the code calculation formulas recognize the need to provide
an allowance for corrosion, the standard rating tables for valves, flanges, fittings, etc.,
do not incorporate a corresponding allowance.

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 National Standards

Judgments regarding the suitability of these components are left to the designer.
The introduction to the code sets forth engineering requirements deemed necessary
for the safe design and construction of piping systems.
While safety is the basic consideration of the code, this factor alone will not
necessarily govern final specifications for any pressure piping system.
Designers are cautioned that the code is not a design handbook and does not do
away with the need for competent engineering judgment.

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 Government Regulations: OSHA

Sections of the ASME B31 code have been adopted with certain reservations or
revisions by some state and local authorities as local codes.
The specific requirements for piping systems in certain services have been
promulgated as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
regulations. These rules and regulations will presumably be revised and
supplemented from time to time and may include specific requirements not
addressed by the B31 sections.

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 International Regulations

ASME piping codes have been widely used throughout the world for the design of
facilities falling within their defined scopes.
Although the use of ASME codes is widely acceptable in areas outside the United
States, it is essential to identify additional local or national codes or standards that
may apply.
Such documents may require qualified third-party review and approval of project
specifications, facility design, fabrication, material documentation, inspection, and
testing. For example, within the European Community, such requirements are
imposed by the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC (also known as the PED).
These requirements must be recognized early in the project to avoid costly error.

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CODE CONTENTS
AND SCOPE
 Code Contents and Scope

The code prescribes minimum requirements for materials, design, fabrication,

assembly, support, erection, examination, inspection, and testing of piping systems
subject to pressure or vacuum.
The scope of the piping covered by B31.3 is illustrated in Fig. 10-127. It applies to all
fluids including fluidized solids and to all services except as noted in the figure.
The code also excludes piping systems designed for internal gauge pressures at or
above zero but less than 0.105 MPa (15 lbf/in2) provided the fluid handled is
nonflammable, nontoxic, and not damaging to human tissues, and its design
temperature is from −29°C (−20°F) through 186°C (366°F).

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SELECTION OF
PIPE SYSTEM
MATERIALS
Selection of Pipe System Materials

The selection of material to resist deterioration in service is

outside the scope of the B31.3 code. Experience has,
however, resulted in the following material considerations
extracted from the code.

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 General Considerations
Following are some general considerations which should be evaluated when
selecting and applying materials in piping:

1. The possibility of exposure of the piping to fire and the melting point, degradation
temperature, loss of strength at elevated temperature, and combustibility of the
piping material under such exposure.
2. The susceptibility to brittle failure or failure from thermal shock of the piping
material when exposed to fire or to fire-fighting measures, and possible hazards from
fragmentation of the material in the event of failure.
3. The ability of thermal insulation to protect piping against failure under fire exposure
(e.g., its stability, fire resistance, and ability to remain in place during a fire).
4. The susceptibility of the piping material to crevice corrosion under backing rings, in
threaded joints, in socket-welded joints, and in other stagnant, confined areas.

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 General Considerations
5. The possibility of adverse electrolytic effects if the metal is subject to contact with a
dissimilar metal.
6. The compatibility of lubricants or sealants used on threads with the fluid service.
7. The compatibility of packing, seals, and O-rings with the fluid service.
8. The compatibility of materials, such as cements, solvents, solders, and brazing
materials, with the fluid service.
9. The chilling effect of sudden loss of pressure on highly volatile fluids as a factor in
determining the lowest expected service temperature.
10. The possibility of pipe support failure resulting from exposure to low temperatures
(which may embrittle the supports) or high temperatures (which may weaken them).
11. The compatibility of materials, including sealants, gaskets, lubricants, and
insulation, used in strong oxidizer fluid service (e.g., oxygen or fluorine).
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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals
Following are some specific considerations which should be evaluated when applying
certain metals in piping.

1. Irons—cast, malleable, high silicon (14.5%), lack ductility and sensitivity to thermal and
mechanical shock.

2. Carbon steel, and low and intermediate alloy steels.

a. The possibility of embrittlement when handling alkaline or strong caustic fluids.
b. The possible conversion of carbides to graphite during long time exposure to
temperatures above 427°C (800°F) of carbon steels, plain nickel steel, carbon-manganese
steel, manganese vanadium steel, and carbon-silicon steel.
c. The possible conversion of carbides to graphite during long time exposure to
temperatures above 468°C (875°F) of carbon-molybdenum steel, manganese-molybdenum-
vanadium steel, and chromium-vanadium steel.
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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals

d. The advantages of silicon-killed carbon steel (0.1% silicon minimum) for

temperatures above 482°C (900°F).
e. The possibility of damage due to hydrogen exposure at elevated temperature
(see API RP941); hydrogen damage (blistering) may occur at lower temperatures
under exposure to aqueous acid solutions.
f. The possibility of stress corrosion cracking when exposed to cyanides, acids,
acid salts, or wet hydrogen sulfide; a maximum hardness limit is usually specified
(see NACE MR0175 and RP0472).
g. The possibility of sulfidation in the presence of hydrogen sulphide at elevated
temperatures.

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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals

3. High-alloy (stainless) steels.

a. The possibility of stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steels
exposed to media such as chlorides and other halides either internally or externally;
the latter can result from improper selection or application of thermal insulation, or
from use of marking inks, paints, labels, tapes, adhesives, and other accessory
materials containing chlorides or other halides.
b. The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of austenitic stainless steels
sensitized by exposure to temperatures between 427 and 871°C (800 and 1600°F);
as an example, stress corrosion cracking of sensitized metal at room temperature by
polythionic acid (reaction of oxidizable sulfur compound, water, and air); stabilized or
low-carbon grades may provide improved resistance.

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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals
c. The susceptibility to intercrystalline attack of austenitic stainless steels on
contact with liquid metals (including aluminum, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, gallium,
lead, magnesium, tin, and zinc) or their compounds.
d. The brittleness of ferritic stainless steels at room temperature after service at
temperature above 371°C (700°F).

4. Nickel and nickel-base alloys.

a. The susceptibility to grain boundary attack of nickel and nickel-base alloys not
containing chromium when exposed to small quantities of sulfur at temperatures
above 316°C (600°F).
b. The susceptibility to grain boundary attack of nickel-base alloys containing
chromium at temperatures above 593°C (1100°F) under reducing conditions and
above 760°C (1400°F) under oxidizing conditions.
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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals
c. The possibility of stress corrosion cracking of nickel-copper Alloy 400 in
hydrofluoric acid vapor in the presence of air, if the alloy is highly stressed (including
residual stresses from forming or welding).

5. Aluminum and aluminum alloys.

a. The compatibility with aluminum of thread compounds used in aluminum
threaded joints to prevent seizing and galling.
b. The possibility of corrosion from concrete, mortar, lime, plaster, or other alkaline
materials used in buildings or structures.
c. The susceptibility of Alloy nos. 5083, 5086, 5154, and 5456 to exfoliation or
intergranular attack; and the upper temperature limit of 66°C (150°F) shown in
Appendix A to avoid such deterioration.
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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals

6. Copper and copper alloys.

a. The possibility of dezincification of brass alloys.
b. The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking of copper-based alloys exposed
to fluids such as ammonia or ammonium compounds.
c. The possibility of unstable acetylide formation when exposed to acetylene.

7. Titanium and titanium alloys. The possibility of deterioration of titanium and its
alloys above 316°C (600°F).

8. Zirconium and zirconium alloys. The possibility of deterioration of zirconium and

zirconium alloys above 316°C (600°F).

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 Specific Material Considerations—Metals
9. Tantalum. Above 299°C (570°F), the possibility of reactivity of tantalum with all
gases except the inert gases. Below 299°C, the possibility of embrittlement of
tantalum by nascent (monoatomic) hydrogen (but not molecular hydrogen). Nascent
hydrogen is produced by galvanic action, or as a product of corrosion by certain
chemicals.

10. Metals with enhanced properties. The possible loss of strength, in a material
whose properties have been enhanced by heat treatment, during long-continued
exposure to temperatures above the tempering temperature.

11. The desirability of specifying some degree of production impact testing, in

addition to the weld procedure qualification tests, when using materials with limited
low-temperature service experience below the minimum temperature.
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Specific Material Considerations—Nonmetals
Following are some considerations to be evaluated when applying nonmetals in
piping.
1. Static charges. Because of the possibility of producing hazardous
electrostatic charges in nonmetallic piping and metallic piping lined with nonmetals,
consideration should be given to grounding the metallic components of such systems
conveying nonconductive fluids.
2. Thermoplastics. If thermoplastic piping is used aboveground for compressed air
or other compressed gases, special precautions should be observed. In determining
the needed safeguarding for such services, the energetics and the specific failure
mechanism need to be evaluated. Encasement of the plastic piping in shatter-
resistant material may be considered.
3. Borosilicate glass. Take into account its lack of ductility and its sensitivity to
thermal and mechanical shock.
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METALLIC PIPING
SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Metallic Piping System Components

Metallic pipe systems comprise the majority of applications.

Metallic pipe, tubing, and pipe fittings are divided into two
main categories: seamless and welded. Both have
advantages and disadvantages in terms of economy and
function.

Specifications governing the production of these products

dictate the permissible mechanical and dimensional
variations, and code design calculations account for these
variations.

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 Seamless Pipe and Tubing

Seamless pipe and tubing may be formed by various methods.

A common technique involves piercing solid round forgings, followed by rolling
and drawing. Other techniques include forging and boring, extrusion, and static and
centrifugal casting. Piercing frequently produces pipe with a less uniform wall
thickness and concentricity of bore than is the case with products produced by
other methods. Since seamless products have no weld joints, there is no
reduction of strength due to weld joint efficiency.

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 Welded Pipe and Tubing

These products are typically made by forming strips or plate into cylinders and
seam-welding by various methods. Manufacturing by welding permits the production
of larger diameter pipe than is possible with seamless manufacturing methods, as
well as larger diameter/wall thickness ratios. While strip and plate thickness may
be more closely controlled than is possible for some seamless products, the
specifications governing production are not always more stringent for welded
products.

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 Welded Pipe and Tubing

Weld quality has the potential of making the weld weaker than the base material.
Depending on the welding method and the degree of nondestructive examination
required by the product specification or dictated by the designer, the code assigns a
joint efficiency ranging from 60 to 100 percent of the strength of the base
material. Although some welding methods have the potential of producing short
sections of partially fused joints that may develop into small leaks in corrosive
conditions, proper matching of the weld method and the type and extent of
examination will result in highly reliable joints that are suitable for use in critical
services. Welds must be considered when developing specifications for bending,
flaring or expanding welded pipe or tubing

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 Tubing
Tubing sizes typically reflect the actual outside diameter of the product. Pipe is
manufactured to nominal diameters, which are not the same as the actual outside
diameters for sizes 12 in and smaller.
Facilities within the scope of the ASME B31 codes nearly exclusively use pipe, rather
than tubing, for applications external to equipment. Tubing is commonly classified as
suitable for either mechanical or pressure applications. Tubing is available in size
and wall thickness combinations not normally produced as pipe.
Tubing wall thickness (gauge) is specified as either average wall or minimum
wall. Minimum wall is more costly than average wall, and because of closer
tolerances on thickness and diameter, tubing of either gauge system is generally
more costly than pipe. Tubing having outside diameters of 23⁄8, 27⁄8, 31⁄2, and 41⁄2
in are commonly available; however, these sizes are generally considered to be
nonstandard for typical piping applications.
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 Methods of Joining Pipe

Piping joints must be reliably leak tight and provide adequate mechanical
strength to resist external loads due to thermal expansion, weight, wind, seismic
activity, and other factors.
Joints for pipe buried in soil may be subjected to unique external loads resulting from
thermal expansion and contraction, settlement, and other factors. Joint designs that
permit rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe may be
advantageous in certain situations.

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 Methods of Joining Pipe
Disassembly frequency and ease should be considered when selecting joining
methods. Ideally, the method for joining piping system components provides
minimum installed cost, maintains its integrity throughout the lifetime of the facility,
provides restraint against axial thrust due to internal pressure, provides strength
against external loads equal to that of the pipe, permits unrestricted flow with
minimum pressure drop, and is free from crevices that may be detrimental to the
product or contribute to corrosion or erosion problems.
Joint design and selection generally involves compromising between the ideal and
practical. A number of manufacturers produce patented or “proprietary” joints that
embody many ideal characteristics.
Some are excellent products and are well suited to special applications. Valves and
fittings are often available with proprietary joints that have gained wide acceptance;
however, consideration should be given to the possible impact on product delivery
time and cost.
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 Thank you!

Benitez, Joshua Allan Mañacap, Dale Eman A. Mendoza, Daniely Mae Z.