Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
(OP)
I've been told that the minimum permissible temperature of API 5L material according to the pipeline codes (ASME B31.4 and B31.8) is 32F. In ASME B31.3, the minimum temperature of API 5L is -20F according to the stress tables in the back.
Does anyone know what the actual minimum permissible (or allowable) temperature of API 5L is for the pipeline codes? If so, could you please give a reference to the section in the code so I can look it up (in my case it's a gas pipeline so B31.8)? I'm sure I'm going to have to use this reference later on if someone questions why I changed the minimum temperature.
Does anyone know what the actual minimum permissible (or allowable) temperature of API 5L is for the pipeline codes? If so, could you please give a reference to the section in the code so I can look it up (in my case it's a gas pipeline so B31.8)? I'm sure I'm going to have to use this reference later on if someone questions why I changed the minimum temperature.





RE: Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
Section 812 in ASME B 31.8 refers to a limmit of minus 20C where a fracture control method is required. As far as I know there is no lower limit temperature in terms of 31.8, just waringins that some materials will not be suitable.
A design temperature of minus 10 to minus 20 for gas lines is relatively common due to the issue of frost and the potential operation below 0 C on high pressure losses / blowdown / downstream of a control valve. You just specifiy this in the line ipe spec along with your requirmets for charpy values (specified by the material engineer) and see what comes back from the suppliers.
I don't know if this is what yu wanted to hear, but when someone says "it says it in the code...", ask them for the section number, para number etc. Without that the information is merely hearsay.
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
This is actually for a pig launcher/receiver, so I'm thinking we may just ensure that the pigging procedures does not permit operation during ambient temperatures of less than 32F.
I haven't really decided our next move yet but it's good to have the information in hand to make the decision!
RE: Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
Cingold, I may have to stick around.
-A-
P.S. No spell check? Ugh.
RE: Minimum Allowable Temperature of API 5L
Independent events are seldomly independent.