JITENDRA SURVE PIPING GUIDE 01/04/03

TOWER PIPING

• Tray, nozzle and platform orientation are considered while designing

tower piping.

Area division for tower piping

• When possible, piping is grouped for ease of support and positioned to
accommodate interconnection with related equipment and the pipe
rack.
• Preferred areas of division for piping, platforming and ladders shown
below
• Fig 10.51

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Piping Support
• Adequate space must be provided between piping and between the
back of piping and the tower shell to facilitate the installation of pipe
supports, which are attached to the tower.
• Some typical supports for tower piping. Fig 10.52

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Overhead Vapor line

• Flexibility to accommodate tower growth and to allow interconnection
to equipment during regular operating conditions necessary.
• Fig 10.53

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Pump Suction Arrangements

• Fig 10.54

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Relief Valve Systems

• Relief valve systems that are open to the atmosphere are located at
the top of the tower.
• Closed systems are located a minimum distance above the relief
header.
• Fig 10.55

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Example piping arrangement

• Fig 10.56

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JITENDRA SURVE PIPING GUIDE 01/04/03

TOWER PIPING GUIDELINES

• As lines from nozzles on the column are run down the length of the
column, it is logical to start arranging downcomers from the top and
proceed down the column.
• A lower nozzle may need priority, but usually piping can be arranged
more efficiently if the space requirements of piping coming from above
are already established.
• Sometimes tray spacing is increased slightly to permit installation of
manholes.
• It may be possible to rotate trays within limits, to overcome a difficulty
in arranging column piping.
• Such changes in tray spacing and arrangement must be sanctioned by
the process and vessel engineer.
• Allocate space for vertical lines from lower nozzles, avoiding running
these lines thru platforms if possible.
• Lines from the tops of column tend to be larger than others. Allocate
space for them first, keeping the lines about 12 inches from the
platforms and the wall of the column – this makes supporting easier
and permits access to valves, instruments etc.
• Allocate space for access (manholes, ladders) clear of piping –
especially clear of vertical lines.
• Provide a clear space for lowering equipment from the top of a column
(for maintenance etc.).
• Provide a clear space for lowering equipment from top of a column (for
maintenance etc.)
• Provide access for mobile lifting equipment to condenser and reboiler.
• Provide clearance to grade (approximately 8ft) under the suction line,
from the column to the bottoms pump.
• Arrange vents in the skirt of the column.
• Ensure that no low point occurs in the line conveying bottoms to the
suction port of the bottoms pump, in order to avoid blocking of line
due to cooling etc.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO ARRANGE COLUMN PIPING

• Plot plan showing space available for the column location and details of
the equipments connected to column.
• PID for nozzle connections, NPSH of bottoms pump, instrumentation,
line blinds, relief valves etc.
• Line designation sheets, to obtain operating temperatures of lines for
calculating thermal movement.
• Details of trays and other internal parts of the column.
• Restrictions on the heights of ladders.

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• Operational requirements of the plant.

LOCATING VALVES

• Valves and blinds which serve the tower should be positioned directly
on nozzles for economy.
• It is desirable to arrange other valves so that lines are self draining.
• Platforms should be located to give access to large valves.
• Small valves may be located at the ends of the platforms.
• Control valves should be accessible from operating platforms or from
grade.
• The pressure-relief valve for the relief line should be placed at the
highest point in the line and should be accessible from the top
platform.
• Valves shall not be located within the skirt of the column.

INSTRUMENTATION

• Temperature connections should be located to communicate with

liquids in the trays and pressure connections with the vapor spaces
below the trays.
• Access to isolated gauges can be provided by ladder.
• Gauges and level glasses must be visible when operating valves and be
accessible for maintenance.
• Gages and other instruments should be located clear of manholes and
accessways to ladders and platforms.
• If necessary, temperature and pressure gages may be located for
reading from ladders.
• Locating instruments at one end of the platform may allow a narrower
platform.

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