Piping Expansion Loop Design - Hand Calculation

PipingStress

3 Apr 202406:17

Summary

TLDRThis video guide provides an in-depth look at piping expansion loops, focusing on their design and optimization for high-temperature fluid systems. It highlights the importance of performing flexibility checks, especially for long pipe racks, and discusses how to manage excessive expansion through line stops or expansion loops. The video also explains how to calculate the size of an expansion loop and provides practical tips to ensure efficient and cost-effective designs. With considerations for branch connections and seismic loads, the guide offers valuable industry insights for engineers.

Takeaways

🛠️ Expansion loops are critical for managing thermal expansion in piping systems, especially for pipes on long racks transporting high-temperature fluids.
📏 A line stop should be placed at the center (zero expansion point) of the pipe to control expansion effectively.
🔍 Inspect the expansion distance at the end of the pipe racks to ensure the pipe shoes can handle thermal growth.
🔄 If expansion is excessive, consider designing an expansion loop to accommodate it.
🌿 Flexibility of branch connections should be evaluated, especially if the main line has significant expansion.
💰 Multiple branch connections can be costly, so using an expansion loop on the main line is often preferable.
🌍 Expansion loops can also account for occasional forces, including seismic loads, by distributing them along the rack.
📐 The largest expansion loop should be positioned outside the smaller loops to ensure optimal performance.
🧮 An equation is provided to calculate expansion loop dimensions based on factors like pipe diameter, length, and temperature differences.
🏗️ When space constraints exist, consider adding multiple expansion loops to reduce the overall height, which can be costly in terms of construction.

Q & A

What is the purpose of an expansion loop in a piping system?
-The purpose of an expansion loop is to accommodate thermal expansion in piping systems, especially for long pipes that transport high-temperature fluids. This prevents excessive stress and deformation in the pipes.
Why is it important to perform a flexibility check on long pipe racks?
-Flexibility checks are essential for long pipe racks to ensure that the pipes can accommodate thermal expansion without causing damage or excessive strain. This is particularly important for high-temperature fluid transport.
Where should a line stop be positioned in the piping system, and why?
-A line stop should be positioned at the center or the 'native zero point' of the line where the expansion is zero. This helps to control and prevent excessive expansion at the ends of the pipe racks.
How can you manage excessive expansion at the far end of a pipe rack?
-If the expansion at the far end of a pipe rack is excessive, you can either lengthen the pipe shoe to accommodate the expansion or design an expansion loop to handle the thermal growth effectively.
What should be considered when designing branch connections at the far end of the pipe rack?
-The flexibility of branch connections should be considered, especially if the main line's expansion is high. If needed, you may need to redesign the branch connections for better flexibility or add an expansion loop.
Why is it preferable to use an expansion loop on the main line instead of multiple branch connection loops?
-It is more cost-effective to use a single expansion loop on the main line, rather than installing multiple loops on each branch connection, which could be expensive.
How can seismic loads affect the design of an expansion loop?
-In cases where seismic loads are high on the stopper support, using an expansion loop can help divide the load and reduce stress on the piping system during seismic events.
Where should the largest expansion loop be located in relation to other loops in the system?
-The largest expansion loop should be located outside the other loops with less thermal growth to ensure optimal performance and load distribution.
What formula is used to calculate the size of an expansion loop, and what factors are considered?
-The formula for calculating the expansion loop size considers factors such as the pipe diameter, line length, operating temperature, and ambient temperature. These variables help determine the height and width of the expansion loop.
How can the height and width of an expansion loop be adjusted if the initial dimensions are impractical?
-If the calculated height or width of an expansion loop is too large, additional expansion loops can be added to reduce the height or width, ensuring that the loop fits within the available space and remains cost-effective.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Understanding Piping Expansion Loops and Their Importance

This paragraph introduces piping expansion loops and their technical significance in engineering. It emphasizes the need for flexibility checks on pipelines, especially on long pipe racks, which are prone to excessive expansion due to high temperatures. The use of line stops at the center of the line or 'zero' points is recommended to control expansion. If the expansion at the end of the pipe rack is significant, extending the pipe shoe or considering an expansion loop is crucial. Flexibility in branch connections should also be taken into account when managing high expansion, as multiple branch connections can become costly. The paragraph highlights the preference for using expansion loops on the main line and suggests considering loops for managing occasional forces like seismic loads.

05:11

📐 Calculating Expansion Loops for Effective Piping Design

This section explains the process of calculating the size of an expansion loop based on pipe diameter, length, and temperature data. A specific example is given, where a 24-inch pipe with a 42-meter length is evaluated at a high operating temperature of 343°C. The calculated expansion loop size is determined to be 9.1 meters in height and 13.7 meters in width. However, the height is found to be too long, leading to a recommendation for adding an additional expansion loop to reduce the height. This solution ensures that the expansion loop fits within the 6-meter-wide pipe rack, while also avoiding the need for costly structural additions.

🔍 Final Considerations for Expansion Loop Design

The final paragraph summarizes the key points about expansion loop design. It reiterates the importance of inspecting pipe rack ends to evaluate expansion and advises considering expansion loops only when necessary for economic reasons. Expansion loops should be designed in coordination with nearby lines, ensuring that their size remains manageable and fits within the pipe rack. The paragraph concludes by advising engineers to keep expansion loops inside the rack to avoid unnecessary costs.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Piping Expansion Loops

Piping expansion loops are intentional bends in pipelines designed to absorb thermal expansion caused by high temperatures. In the video, they are crucial for preventing excessive stress on pipes, particularly those transporting fluids at high temperatures. These loops help maintain system integrity by controlling expansion in long pipeline sections.

💡Thermal Expansion

Thermal expansion refers to the increase in length of a material as its temperature rises. In piping systems, this effect is critical because high temperatures can cause pipes to expand, potentially damaging the system. The video emphasizes the importance of managing thermal expansion to prevent issues at the ends of pipe racks.

💡Flexibility Check

A flexibility check is an assessment to ensure that pipes can safely handle thermal expansion without excessive stress or deformation. In the video, it is highlighted as an important step, particularly for long pipe racks, to determine whether expansion loops or other measures are needed to maintain system performance.

💡Line Stop

A line stop is a fixed point used to limit the movement of a pipe due to thermal expansion. It is typically placed at the center or zero expansion point in a pipeline. The video mentions using line stops to control expansion and prevent it from becoming excessive at the end of pipe racks.

💡Pipe Shoe

A pipe shoe is a support structure used to elevate and guide a pipe while allowing for thermal expansion. The video explains that the length of the pipe shoe should be adjusted based on the amount of thermal expansion expected, particularly when located at the far ends of pipe racks.

💡Branch Connections

Branch connections refer to secondary pipes connected to the main pipeline. The video stresses that these connections need to be flexible, especially when the main line experiences significant thermal expansion. If not, the design may require an expansion loop to accommodate the movement, preventing potential damage.

💡Seismic Loads

Seismic loads are forces that occur during an earthquake, which can impact the structural integrity of piping systems. In the video, expansion loops are discussed as a solution to distribute these forces, especially when seismic activity places high loads on support structures, reducing potential damage.

💡Anchor Points

Anchor points are fixed positions that restrict the movement of pipes in a piping system. In the video, they are used in conjunction with expansion loops to divide expansion across multiple sections, ensuring the system can safely accommodate thermal growth without excessive strain on any one point.

💡Pipe Rack

A pipe rack is a structure that supports multiple pipes in an industrial setting. The video focuses on how the width of the pipe rack influences the design of expansion loops, ensuring that loops fit within the rack while still accommodating necessary thermal expansion.

💡Expansion Loop Formula

The expansion loop formula is a mathematical equation used to calculate the size of the loop required based on variables like pipe diameter, length, and temperature difference. In the video, this formula helps determine the appropriate height and width of the expansion loop to prevent excessive stress on the piping system.

Highlights

Introduction to piping expansion loops and their importance in piping systems.

Explanation of why a flexibility check is important for lines on long pipe racks, particularly for pipes carrying high-temperature fluids.

Recommendation to use a line stop at the center or the 'native zero' point of the line to control or prevent excessive expansion.

Guidance on inspecting the expansion distance at the end of pipe racks and adjusting pipe shoes accordingly to handle thermal expansion.

Suggestion to use an expansion loop if expansion is excessive and cannot be handled by pipe shoe length alone.

Advice on considering the flexibility of branch connections, especially at the far end of pipe racks, to accommodate expansion.

Emphasis on using an expansion loop in the main line if multiple branch connections are involved to avoid excessive costs.

Consideration of expansion loops in scenarios with occasional forces like seismic loads to distribute high loads on stopper supports.

Recommendation to locate expansion loops for multiple lines close to each other, with the largest loop placed outside the smaller loops.

Example calculation of the expansion loop size based on pipe diameter, length, and operating temperatures.

Discussion on adjusting loop dimensions if the calculated height is too long, suggesting the addition of extra loops to reduce height.

Explanation of how reducing the length between anchor points helps optimize the expansion loop size for a 6-meter-wide pipe rack.

Reminder to check whether expansion at the end of the pipe rack is economically feasible before deciding on an expansion loop.

Advice to design expansion loops in conjunction with nearby lines to ensure efficient and cost-effective placement.

Final tip to keep the expansion loop size manageable and within the limits of the pipe rack structure.