Branch charts for large diameter piping
Branch charts for large diameter piping
(OP)
I am in the process of expanding a couple of our piping material specifications from 24" NB up to 42" NB. Regarding branch charts, previous companies here have specified use of reinforcing pads and not used weldolets or reducing tees (they had cheap welders from italy). As i would like to standardise our branch charts, anybody have any advice as to when to choose weldolets over butt weld reducing tees and re-pads ? My initial reaction is to drop the use of re-pads totally, use butt weld reducing tees in the sizes they are commericially available and for the rest use weldolets.





RE: Branch charts for large diameter piping
It's difficult to say, and it's very much depending on other components specified and the applicable service.
For low pressure pipe classes (ASME class 300# and lower) I would allow the use of pipe to pipe connections. Internal pressure as well as external loadings are the parameters whether a reinforcing pad is required or not. Normally this will be assessed by pipe stress engineers.
Small bore branches could be specified by using weldolets/nipolets. For reducing tees we normally specify maximum two size reductions, e.g. 24"x20"; 20"x18".
Other size combinations (24"x16" and lower) RTE and Reducers, which is often more commercial than specifying RTE's with smaller branch sizes.
Hope this serves you.
Regards.
RE: Branch charts for large diameter piping