B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
(OP)
OK, this is the situation I have. I hope someone can help!
* Fisher control valves handling anhydrous ammonia (liquid and vapor).
* Client spec requires B31.3 compliance.
* Client opinion (not spec) is anhydrous ammonia is Catefory M fluid service.
* Client asked for NDE requirements on these control valves based on Category M fluid service.
Questions:
(1) Does anhydrous ammonia fall under Category M fluid service?
(2) If so, what NDE requirements should I impose on the control valves?
* Fisher control valves handling anhydrous ammonia (liquid and vapor).
* Client spec requires B31.3 compliance.
* Client opinion (not spec) is anhydrous ammonia is Catefory M fluid service.
* Client asked for NDE requirements on these control valves based on Category M fluid service.
Questions:
(1) Does anhydrous ammonia fall under Category M fluid service?
(2) If so, what NDE requirements should I impose on the control valves?





RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
See the code for component requirements.
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
"BIGINCH" is right... you must assume that the owner knows what he is doing and follow his requirements.
However, IMHO it is useful to point out that having owner designate piping in the dreaded B31.3 "Category M" service, makes the service designation of the ammonia vessel suspect.
Must the ammonia pressure vessel be designed as ASME VIII "Lethal Service" ? This will cost huge $$$$$.
After all, the adjoining piping is to be designed using the functional equivalent; isn't this just being consistant ?
More fun reading:
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=79125
Tell us more about the system and about any changes that the client may be considering
My opinion only.....
-MJC
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
See this book clip,
http
Personally it doesn't bother me at all that they want to call it a CAT M. I was very nearby when this accident happened, http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/1977/HAR7701.htm
Then again B31.4 covers pipelines transporting liquids, among one of which can be anhydrous ammonia and there's no extra special additional provisions required there.
Just boils down to, "The guy with the gold makes the rules." If he has such a respect for his facilities and personnel, who are we to argue that he's wrong. The hard work's done, so stop worrying about it and just get busy with the implementation.
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
Just where were you that day?
around San Filipe & the loop?
the Galaria?
in Greenway?
I was at 9009 W Loop near Braeswood.
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
Worked a couple years there, then went to Davy Powergas, Lockwood Andrews Newnum, B&R South Tx project, Lumus, Northern Natural Gas, South Texas Gas, Transco, Global Eng., Pipeline Technologists, Bechtel, Enron/Northern Engineering ... then I branched out.
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
"Homecoming week" seems to be over now....
How about my question.... if, at the reqest of the owner, we have a Category M piping system design, shouldn't we also have a ASME "lethal service" vessel attached ?
Where are the boundaries ?
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: B31.3 Category M for Control Valve Handling Anhydrous Ammonia