Winterizing and Protection

Against Ambient Temperatures

INTERNATIONAL
PRACTICE

IP 3-9-1
Page 1 of 4
Rev. 0

June 1997

Changes shown by

SCOPE
I

1.1

This practice covers the protection of equipment, piping and instruments against the effects of ambient
temperature including hydrate formation, condensation, viscosity change, pour point suppression and
icing. Fire water systems are excluded.

1.2

An asterisk (V) indicates that either a decision by the Owners Engineer is required, that additional
information is to be furnished by the Owners Engineer, or that information for the Owners Engineer
approval is to be supplied by the vendor or contractor.

1.3

The following are synonymous: BP and IP.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

I

2.1

Table 1 lists the practices which shall be used with this practice:
TABLE 1
PRACTICES
IP 0-0-1

Explanation and Use of International Practices

IP 3-2-4

Pressure Relieving Systems

IP 3-2-6

Emergency Shower and Eyewash Facilities

IP 4-3-3

Shelters for Process Analyzers

DEFINITIONS
I

3.1

Winterizing and protection against ambient temperatures includes such procedures as:
a.
Protective external heating by: steam, electric, or hot water tracing, steam, hot water or hot oil
jacketing.
b.
Application of insulation.
c.
Elimination of dormant sections of piping.
d.
Maintaining a partial flow in dormant sections of piping.
e.
Draining and flushing.
f.
Agitation.
g.
Providing suitable housing
h.
Anti-freeze solutions

3.2

Climatic zone classifications shall be specified and are defined in this Practice as follows:
CLIMATIC ZONE
CLASSIFICATION

TEMPERATURE
CONDITION

24 hour average hourly temperature not below 30F (-1C) (1) (3)

24 hour average hourly temperature below 30F (-1C), but for periods not
exceeding 24 hrs duration (3)

24 hour average hourly temperature below 30F (-1C) for periods exceeding
24 hrs duration, but lowest average ambient temperature not below 0F (18C) (2) (3)

Lowest average ambient temperature below 0F (-18C) (2) (3)

Notes:
(1)
Where daily changes of about 30F (17C) are common, and where a daily mean temperature is not far above
30F (-1C), classification as Zone A should be reviewed to assure satisfactory unit safety and operability.
(2)
Where the ambient temperature is the atmospheric temperature, the lowest average ambient temperature" shall
be taken as the lowest average temperature for the four coldest days (nonconsecutive) which occurred in any
year.
(3)
24 hour average hourly temperature is defined as the average of atmospheric temperatures taken hourly for 24
consecutive hours.

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

IP 3-9-1

Winterizing and Protection

Against Ambient Temperatures

Page 2 of 4
Rev. 0

June 1997

INTERNATIONAL
PRACTICE

APPLICATION AND METHODS

O

4.1

Equipment shall be protected to prevent interruption of plant operation or failure due to the effects of
varying ambient temperature conditions.

4.2

Winterizing with heating should not be used where other means can be used such as installing a
winterizing cabinet and utilizing the heat of the pipe.

4.3

Insulation alone may be used to prevent solidification or increase in viscosity where the liquid in the
equipment has sufficient sensible heat for normal operating flow rates and will be drained during shutdown.

4.4

Process, utility, and other equipment, shall be protected when any of the following conditions apply to
fluids contained:
a.
Viscosity at the lowest ambient temperature is so high that one-half the normal flow rate cannot be
obtained with the pressure available for starting circulation.
b.
Ice or hydrate formation occurs due to pressure reduction of moisture-bearing gases.

c.
d.
e.

Corrosive compounds form if condensation occurs.

Undesirable separation or freezing occurs at lowest ambient temperatures.
Pour point or freezing point is above lowest ambient temperature.

f.

Condensation will render an instrument inaccurate or inoperative from condensate head or

freezing.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CLIMATIC ZONES

O,R

5.1

Closed drain headers shall be protected where piping may become plugged due to:
a.
Wax or other process deposits.
b.
Congealing viscous fluids.
c.
Autorefrigerated releases to the system, such as flashing propane, which may cause freezing in the
line.

O,R

5.2

Instruments and instrument piping shall be protected in accordance with Table 2. The instrument
mechanism and indicator portions (i.e., electronic capsule) of the transmitters shall be kept within the
manufacturer's recommended temperature rating.

5.3

Instrument piping shall not be winterized with an antifreeze solution, unless approved by the Owner.
When specified, protective heating of lead lines shall be installed in a manner which will prevent the liquid
from overheating and boiling away.

5.4

Locally mounted pressure gauges and instruments, with seals required for corrosion protection, shall
be winterized if the seal or process fluid would freeze, congeal, or be damaged at low temperature.

5.5

When parallel and adjacent lead lines for differential pressure instruments are heat traced, they shall
have common heating and insulation to maintain the same temperature in both lines.

5.6

Process vessels and heat exchangers containing fluids which may freeze or congeal during dormant
periods shall be protected.

5.7

Evaporators in chlorine service shall be housed in a heated, forced ventilated building, if the ambient
temperature can drop below 55F (13C).

5.8

Pumps and associated piping shall be protected as required by the nature of fluids handled and duration
of anticipated non-operating periods.

O,R

5.9

Seal and flushing oil piping shall be traced whenever cooling to the ambient temperature would diminish
the quantity or pressure of seal oil at the point of consumption below the equipment manufacturer's
recommended minimum.

5.10

Except for centrifugal compressors, compressor suction lines between the knockout drum and the
compressor shall be heat traced and insulated if ambient temperature is below the dew point of the gas at
compressor suction or if handling hydrocarbon gas components heavier than ethane.

* 5.11

Centrifugal compressor suction lines shall be protected when required to maintain liquid precipitation
within manufacturers acceptable levels.

C,R

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

Winterizing and Protection

Against Ambient Temperatures

INTERNATIONAL
PRACTICE

IP 3-9-1
Page 3 of 4
Rev. 0

June 1997

TABLE 2
WINTERIZING AND PROTECTION AGAINST AMBIENT TEMPERATURE FOR INSTRUMENTS
DIRECT-CONNECTED
PRESSURE AND DIFFERENTIAL
PRESSURE INSTRUMENTS
TYPE OF FLUID

PRESSURE GAUGES

EXTERNALLY
MOUNTED LEVEL
INSTRUMENTS AND
GAUGE GLASSES

Water

Liquids where water could

accumulate in lead lines
Liquids that form ice or hydrates
due to pressure reduction of
moisture-bearing gases
Liquids whose pour point or
freezing point is above lowest
ambient temperature
Liquids which have high viscosity at
lowest ambient temperature (6)

Heat trace & insulate lead lines

and instrument including first
process isolation valve(s).
(1) (2) (3) (5)

Heat trace & insulate lead lines

and instrument including first
process isolation valve(s).

Steam

(1) (2) (3) (5)

Vapors which could condense at

operating pressure and at ambient
temperature conditions

Heat trace & insulate lead

lines and instrument,
including first process
isolation valve.(5)

Insulate lead lines, including

first process isolation valve.
Use syphon.(4) (5)

Insulate lead lines, or heat trace

and insulate including first
process isolation valve(s).

Insulate lead lines, including

first process isolation valve.
(5)

(1) (2) (3) (5)

Corrosive liquids formed by

condensation

Use diaphragm seal, liquid purge,

or heat trace and insulate
including first process isolation
valve(s).(1) (2) (3) (5)

Use diaphragm seal.

Heat trace & insulate

vessel connections and
chamber, including first
process isolation
valve(s).(5)

(4) (5)

Insulate or heat trace and

insulate vessel
connections & chamber,
including first process
isolation valve(s).(5)
Use liquid purge or select
more resistant
metallurgy.

Notes:
(1)
Heat tracing may be either steam tracing or electric tracing. Other heat tracing methods such as hot oil or other
heat transfer fluid are sometimes considered.
(2)
Electronics shall be kept within the manufacturer's recommended temperature rating.
(3)
Heat tracing of the instrument may be accomplished with a prefabricated insulated enclosure as long as area
classification inside the enclosure is satisfied.
(4)
Heat trace and insulate in Zone C and D.
(5)
All valve and/or instrument manifold handles should not be insulated, and shall be left exposed, to allow
operability.
(6)
If the process fluid is likely to plug, then use a diaphragm seal.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ZONES B, C, AND D

O

6.1

Underground water systems (including sewers) shall be installed a minimum of 1 ft (300 mm) below the
frost line. Above the frost line and above-ground portions of the water systems shall be winterized as
specified

6.2

Seal legs, the bottom of flare stacks, and seal drums shall be winterized to prevent freezing of the
water seal.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ZONES C AND D

R

7.1

Above-ground sanitary sewer piping shall be winterized.

7.2

In live and exhaust steam systems, low points where condensate may collect shall be winterized and
provided with a steam trap.

7.3

For utility air systems, drain valves shall be provided in filters, and low points in the piping where
moisture may collect.

7.4

Electronic instruments which may be damaged by freezing shall be installed in heated housings or
located in buildings to maintain the temperature within the manufacturer's recommended temperature
rating.

O,R

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

IP 3-9-1

Winterizing and Protection

Against Ambient Temperatures

Page 4 of 4
Rev. 0

June 1997

INTERNATIONAL
PRACTICE

S,C

7.5

Where hydrocarbon and water are separated in a vessel, as a minimum, only those parts of the vessel
containing water need be protected from freezing.

S,O

7.6

Compressors, turbines, engines, and other major machinery (including auxiliaries) not installed in
heated buildings require winterizing. Exposed components such as cooling water lines, cooling jackets,
lube and seal oil piping, filters, compressor suction lines, and knockout drums shall be winterized for
normal operation and for shutdown conditions.

7.7

Compressors and auxiliaries enclosed in buildings shall have winterizing protection when the system is
shut down.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ZONE D

R

8.1

Block valves in water service, at branch takeoff connections to piping and equipment, shall be
winterized if the branch piping may be shut down while the remainder of the unit is in operation.

8.2

Open-sight drains from pumps and compressors shall be piped to sewer, sloped continuously
downward where possible. If traps or surface seals are used, they shall be protected against freezing.

8.3

Branch piping to utility stations (air, water, or steam) shall be winterized.

8.4

Winterizing of locally mounted instruments shall be provided by means of insulated housings with
steam coils or electric heating.

9/68
1/73
6/76
6/82
1/83
12/92
6/97

Revision Memo
Original Issue of Basic Practice
Revision 1
Revision 2
Revision 3
Revision 4
Revision 5
Revision 0 - Original Issue of International Practice
Table 1 - Reference to BP 3-9-2 deleted. Table 1 - Reference to IP 3-2-4 and IP 3-2-6 was added. Par. 3.1 Ambient
protection also included in statement because it can also be accomplished by methods listed in this paragraph. Par.
4.5 table deleted. Par. 5.2 deleted first section of par. and clarified remainder of paragraph. Par. 5.8 deleted because
BP 3-9-2 was withdrawn. Par. 5.9 deleted because it does not provide guidance or performance requirements for
winterizing. Par. 5.11 deleted. Par. 5.12 expanded to include heat exchangers because Par. 5.13 was deleted. Air
cooled heat exchangers are not included because winterization is covered in API documents. Par. 6.2 deleted
because it specifies pipe lining materials. It should be moved to IP 3-10-1. Par. 6.5/6.6 Deleted because all these
requirements are covered in IP 3-2-6 which is listed in Table 1. Para. 6.7. This par. generalized to "winterize." Par.
6.8 deleted because all this information is included in IP 9-7-3. Par. 6.9 deleted because it does not provide any
performance information. Par. 7.4 Deleted because low point vents are specified in IP 3-6-4. Par. 7.5 Deleted
because these requirements were moved to IP 3-12-1. Par. 7.6 Deleted because it is redundant with 5.4. Par. 7.8
Deleted because it is covered by Table 1 reference. Par. 8.3: Editorial. Par. 8.5: Editorial. Par. 8.6 Editorial. Par. 8.7:
Deleted but specified in BP 3-2-6, now included in Table 1.

Exxon Research and Engineering Company, 1992, 1997

THIS INFORMATION FOR AUTHORIZED COMPANY USE ONLY

EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY FLORHAM PARK, N.J.