Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
(OP)
I've been tasked with developing a rough cost estimate for replacing the piping system in a spring water processing facility. The existing system is comprised of sch. 40 PVC and various nylon and PE fittings. The replacement system must be entirely stainless steel.
Are there any good, simple design / spec resources that I could use effectively without purchasing and/or delving into a $300-$400 complete design guide and ASME specs.?
Are there any good, simple design / spec resources that I could use effectively without purchasing and/or delving into a $300-$400 complete design guide and ASME specs.?





RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
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http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
That's quite a bank of engineering manuals! I took a quick look at the Process Piping Manual and it is helpful to the point at which it references the ASME B31.3 Code. Unfortunately there's not enough there to determine roughly what grade / schedule pipe I will need for the project.
If I have to buy the standard I will, but since I don't expect to be engineering this system I was trying to avoid it.
I might draw on that Army Corps website in the future though...
-bekirk
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
If you know a range of line diameters and pressures you will be using, it shouldn't be too hard to find enough info about B31.3 to develop a list of associated wall thicknesses.
http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
I presume that the spring water is being bottled for sale. It wouold appear that the original installation using PVC has developed a microbial problem, giving high counts in the bottles. Thoes microbes just love PVC, had a similar problem in a pharma R&D facility.
So the move to Stainless steel is driven by the need to clean and disinfect the pipe system. A 304 grade SS would be suitable for this either tube or schedule pipe depending upon system pressures. As you are dealing with spring water, the analysis will need to be closely looked at. If there are high levels of chlorides present then 316SS or higher grades may be needed.
Cheers
Mark Hutton
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
You might also be interested in this B31.3 Piping Guide from Los Alamos National Laboratory (you tax dollars at work).
http//engstandards.lanl.gov/engrman/6mech/pdfs/D20-AppA-ASME_B31.3-r1a.pdf
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
Here is another free guide for stainless steel piping and tubing in the biotechnology industries. This is a lot of information on stainless piping in a small package.
www.asepco.com/docs/PDF_files/Stainless_tubing.pdf
Regards, John.
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
Those sources helped, but it still seems that I might need to get the ASME standard to do what I want. Perhaps its the engineer in me that wants more detail than I probably need.
Barton
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
Another thought - maybe you should also take your question to Eng-Tips forum 1125 - the stainless steel for engineers Forum.
There is also a Eng-tips forum 723 - Steel and Stainless engineering Forum.
Part of the cost will be fabrication and NDE of the system and those guys might be able to give you additional insight.
Just a thought.
Regards, John.
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
Just had another read of your OP. Try the New Zealand Stainless Steel fabricators site. A number of years ago they developed a "Blue Book" on SS fabrication and specification.
Cheers
Mark Hutton
RE: Stainless Steel Process Piping Estimating Guide
Also ask propoestive sub contractor's for their schedules of rates for the necessary trades and equipment.
Geoffrey D Stone FIMechE C.Eng;FIEAust CP Eng
www.waterhammer.bigblog.com.au