PIPE RACK

Pipe rack is the main artery of any plant. Pipe racks or pipe bridges are structures designed and built specifically to support multiple pipes where adequate structure is not available.

Pipe racks are necessary for arranging the process and service pipelines throughout the plant. A large number of process pipelines, flare lines and manifold lines running through this racks from one equipment to another, or from one unit to another.

A typical view of pipe rack

There are three types of pipe rack:1) Conventional pipe rack 2) Non Conventional pipe rack 3) Modular pipe rack

This is essentially a system where multiple 2-dimensional (2D) frame assemblies, comprised of two or more columns with transverse beams, are tied together in the longitudinal direction utilizing beam struts and vertical bracing to form a 3D space frame arrangement. Pipe racks supporting equipment such as air-cooled heat exchangers must utilize the continuous system approach.

A Conventional pipe rack

This is a system comprised of independent cantilevered, freestanding 2D frames not dependent on longitudinal beam struts for system stability. This system, where feasible, should result in lower total installed cost.

A Non Conventional pipe rack

Structural Frames completely fitted with pipes, Cable trays and miscellaneous equipment is a modular pipe rack. Now a module is a series of standard units that function together.

A modular pipe rack