Pipe strain measurement during installation
Pipe strain measurement during installation
(OP)
We are installing lobe blowers. Per API686 we have measured and confirmed that no undue pipe load is passed on to the blower casing.
However, blower has an inlet and and out let silencers. And silencers are attached with plant piping.
Doubt is if we have to carry out pipe strain measurement while aligning shop piping to the silencers too.
However, blower has an inlet and and out let silencers. And silencers are attached with plant piping.
Doubt is if we have to carry out pipe strain measurement while aligning shop piping to the silencers too.





RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
If the flanges you are describing are back away from the compressor, they could still be relevant. We do not require a pipe strain check for flanges that are far enough away from the machine that they are beyond the first rigid pipe support. But, for anything inside the first rigid support, pipe strain must be checked.
Johnny Pellin
RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
Actually, silencers are rigidly supported on the blower skid, while the pipe on the silencer is getting connected to the silencer on the outlet flange of the silencer is within the rigid support., so what is your opinion?
Please let me know..
RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
For that reason, I personally would be inclined to use compensators, or some relatively flexible piping, between the blower and the silencers, and between the silencers and the mill piping, whether required by standards or not.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
However, JJpellin has a valid, very focused reply to the question, informing us how important it is to conduct a pipe strain on flanges especially when flanges are within a rigid support.
Now My only doubt is the flange in question is on the silencer and the silencer base rigidly supported and connected to blower thru a flex.
RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
If the blower is delivered as a skid unit, I would check for pipe strain when bolting up the piping to the silencers even if the silencers are rigidly supported to the skid base. The check is quick and easy. If the rigid mounting on the skid is done well, the blower should not move. If the blower does move, either the pipe strain is excessive or the rigid mounting to the skid is inadequate. In either case, I would prefer to know so I could address it.
Johnny Pellin
RE: Pipe strain measurement during installation
Take care!