Piping design

[deskdesign]

Dear ALL,

I am a mechanical engineer, and need help in the area of piping design; i really need to know how piping designs are carried out in the piping industries,, how piping design results are reported, what references are used in conjunction with the design. Assuming i was designing for process refinery, ASME B31.3, what design parameters am i going to consider, and how the variables tabulated, in what format it is done, (excel??) or are there softwares to cary out the process of piping design (do let know me names of softwares); please do inform me, cos i am completed in the dark.
I will welcome any feedback on the process of piping design.

Deskdesign

[maskedsperm]

In engineering companies piping design is a multi-discipline activity, meaning there will be some roles and responsibilities involved. There are Piping Engineering and Design activities… both separated and related at the same time… however, I try to give some lights here…

Generally, there will be a set of “inputs” you will use to get the job done:

Design Basis. A set of pre-agreed-with-client (the Process Plant Owner) rules where you will fin the scope of work, Project Specifications (such as the applicable “Piping Classes” or Piping Material Specification that will the specifics of the piping fittings and pipes you should use in any case… among others), etc;

Plot Plan(s) and/or Equipment Location Drawing(s). You will fin here the relative locations of the pieces of equipment involved in the scope of work;

Equipment and Instruments Data Sheets. Showing dimensions and specific installation/operation/maintenance requirements;

P&IDs (Piping and Instrument Diagrams… generated by a common effort of Process, Control Systems and Piping disciplines). You will in P&IDs the “From-To” of every Line (each interconnecting pipeline gets an unique “Line number”); its size (diameter); Line Class (specific piping materials selection); In-Line Instruments identified by and unique TAG to represent in a graphic way the job to be done;

Line List. Showing specific characteristics of each line (Design, Operating and Testing Pressure and Temperature).

Having, at least, the mentioned “inputs” you could then start with the “piping design” consisting in setting the routes every pipeline will follow within the Plant layout:

Knowing the relative locations of the pieces of equipment an other installations of the plant, you set the route the lines shown on the P&IDs will follow… considering the required room required to fit them all; the proper supports for all those lines; without forgetting to provide access for operation/maintenance of valves and in-line instruments, loads on pipe supports or equipment nozzles (interconnecting point between pipes and equipment)…

As a summary...

Pipng Main Activities:
Plot Plan-Equipment Location / Piping Design
Selecting Materials / Piping Material Engineer
Piping layouts / Piping Design
Piping Supports and Loads evaluation / Piping Stress Engineer
Material TakeOffs / Piping Material-Control Engineer
Piping Material Reports / Piping Material-Control Engineer
Piping Requisitions / Piping Material-Control Engineer
Piping Layout Drawings / Piping Design
Piping Isometrics / Piping Design

Piping Deliverables:
Specifications
Plot Plan
Piping Layouts
Piping Isometrics
Bill of Materials
Piping Requisitions

It is a very complex activity and you should better read some reference material first to get acquainted with the whole picture. Find some excellent books listed here:

[link Point to another website Only the registered members can access]
Regards and good look

Maskedsperm