A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
(OP)
I am trying to determine the best pipeline material spec to transport ammonia (600 psi pump discharge, 200 psi delivery, 66 °F) in 30 miles of 8" steel pipeline.
In essence, is A333 pipe safer than API 5L pipe for ammonia transport? Is either better for the Joule-Thomson effect should there be a leak? Is one appreciably less expensive than the other?
In essence, is A333 pipe safer than API 5L pipe for ammonia transport? Is either better for the Joule-Thomson effect should there be a leak? Is one appreciably less expensive than the other?





RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
Austenitic stainless steel A-312 could be a more onerous option.
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
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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: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
I've missed the temperature. A-333 is undoubtedly the most suitable for low temperatures application. At 66 °F I would use ASTM A 106 or API 5L (by far cheaper than A-333).
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
**********************
"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: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
**********************
"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: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
In the absence of specific guidance in the design code, I would have the latitude to use sound engineering principles and I might determine some pressure (perhaps 30% of design or lower) as being a "pressurized" condition and then I would look at my temperature profile to see what temperature I might hit if I depressured from normal operating conditions to that reduced pressure. It might then be reasonable to select that as my design minimum temperature for selection of materials.
Note: CSA Z662 which covers pipelines in Canada does provide guidance with regards to the selection of notch toughness properties required for different pipelines and so if that were your design code, at a minimum you would have to follow it's requirements.
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
I think the Joule-Thompson cooling effect due to the depressurization has to be taken into account to determine the lowest achievable temperature. It is not obviously the only or necessarily main factor but it must be ascribed in the list of upset conditions, and so should have be taken into account together with factors related to normal working operations.
wazmoot,
ASTM-A106 is tailored for high temperature service and so the impact test should not even been foreseen (for non-mandatory requirement). ASTM-A333 is specifically described as a material suitable for low temperature applications and so further tests are not required.
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
**********************
"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: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
It's undoubtedly a valid approach, and (IMO) it doesn't imply to underestimate possible effects of low temperatures related to leaks, as an increased notch toughness would also lead to a an improved metal behaviour at lower temperatures.
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
**********************
"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: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
Anhydrous NH3 has to have a small percentage of water in it to avoid stress cracking.
RE: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
**********************
"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: A333 vs API 5L pipeline for ammonia transport
**********************
"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/