Governing Code or Standard for Diesel Generator Exhaust Piping?

[GearsNsparks]

Is there a governing code or standard for the design of diesel generator exhaust piping?

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

jhake, try in the Engine & fuel engineering forum,

http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=71

 

[GearsNsparks]

Thanks for your suggestion 21121956. I posted this in the engine & fuel engineering forum.

However, I do think that some of the pipe stress gurus in this forum might be better equipped to help me out though.

Is it valid to analyze the exhaust pipe to B31.1 requirements?
Pressure: 2psi exhaust back pressure
Temperature: 880 deg. F
Earthquake: 0.5g

If so, the only limiting factor would be that A106-b, a typical material for diesel generator exhausts (2500 kW gensets for Hospitals) would not be allowed because of the 800 deg. F limit of B31.1.

Would it be valid to analyze the exhaust pipe to B31.3? Even though the back pressure should never approach the minimum of 15 psi for B31.3. B31.3 does permit the use of sch. 40 black iron pipe beyond 800 deg. F.

 

[CRG]

jhake,
Contact your State Fire Marshall and/or building permit office. If their plan reviewers state that there is no prevailing code that states the suitability of material or code for construction and unless you can find some other authority to dictate what design code is required, the choice is yours. My main concern would be the corrosion issues that might arise from using mild steel. Have you asked the equipment manufacturer for their recommendations for appropriate material for the exhaust. Take a look at the following link for some references to NFPA code issues:

http://www.colorado.edu/FacMan/pdc/safety/documents/EmergencyandIndoorGenerators.pdf

 

[pipesnpumps]

I had the same questions as you many years ago doing recip generator exhaust.. In the end, I was convinced that if everyone is using mild steel piping for engine exhaust, then it was probably good enough to use. But as my application was continuous use, 365, I got worried about creep at those high temperatures.

So instead I went with fabricated flanged exhaust duct, SS lined rated to 1800 F. Silkirk I believe was the manuf. I would look into that. You have to put an excessive pressure relief (for backfire relief) to protect the ductwork.. But one of their application engineers could help you, if you decide not to go with piping.





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