Nitrogen pipeline / surge tank / ASME B31 2

[fnunez]

In order to avoid water hammer effect on a water pipeline a customer installed 3 surge tanks that will be filled by nitrogen, it's located in a mine over a 4500 meters above sea level.

There are 2 questions, I have to design the pipelines that goes through each nitrogen group of cylinders to each surge tank. Does it suitable to design this pipeline with Asme B31.8?.

And the last one, does it some safety recommendation about the distance between each nitrogen group of cylinders?.

Thanks.

Fernando

 

[TD2K]

A sketch is going to help. I'm having a hard time seeing why you would want to use B31.8 which is for gas pipelines for the piping to your surge tanks.

 

[BigInch]

B31.8 is not the code to use, as it is only concerned wtih transportation by pipeline of natual and hazardous gas. It is not applicable to your proposed installation. A water pipeline design code, or if you generally prefer to use ASME codes, then B31.3 would probably be more appropriate.

"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek

 

[fnunez]

Sorry, If Im not explained as well, the pipeline that I want to design is the Nitrogen one, not the water pipeline.

I'm attaching a sketch, about my 2 enquiries, first Which code about Nitrogen pipeline design is proper to use? and 2nd if you know some NFPA or safety code about distances between each nitrogen bottle station.

Thanks in advance, I'm not have experience designing this kind of piping, just graduated and trying to do my best.

 

[fnunez]

I thought that as a b31.8 is for Gas transmysion and distribution piping system could be suitable for my purpouse, but I read in the code that :"802.12 This code does not apply to: (d) piping in oil refineries ... , industrial plants, or MINES ."

Attaching again the picture.

Thanks!

 

[EnergyMix]

Here's the Introduction to B31.3:

INTRODUCTION
The ASME B31 Code for Pressure Piping consists of a number of individually published Sections, each an American National Standard, under the direction of ASME Committee B31, Code for Pressure Piping. Rules for each Section reflect the kinds of piping installations considered during its development, as follows:
B31.1 Power Piping: piping typically found in electric power generating stations, in industrial and institutional plants, geothermal heating systems, and central and district heating and cooling systems
B31.3 Process Piping: piping typically found in petroleum refineries; chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, semiconductor, and cryogenic plants; and related processing plants and terminals
B31.4 Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids: piping transporting products that are predominately liquid between plants and terminals and within terminals, pumping, regulating, and metering stations
B31.5 Refrigeration Piping: piping for refrigerants and secondary coolants
B31.8 Gas Transportation and Distribution Piping Systems: piping transporting products that are predominately gas between sources and terminals, including compressor, regulating, and metering stations; gas gathering pipelines
B31.9 Building Services Piping: piping typically found in industrial, institutional, commercial, and public buildings, and in multi-unit residences, which does not require the range of sizes, pressures, and temperatures covered in B31.1
B31.11 Slurry Transportation Piping Systems: piping transporting aqueous slurries between plants and terminals and within terminals, pumping, and regulating stations
B31.12 Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines: piping in gaseous and liquid hydrogen service and pipelines in gaseous hydrogen service
This is the B31.3 Process Piping Code Section. Hereafter, in this Introduction and in the text of this Code Section B31.3, where the word Code is used without specific identification, it means this Code Section.
It is the owner’s responsibility to select the Code Section that most nearly applies to a proposed piping installation. Factors to be considered by the owner include limitations of the Code Section; jurisdictional requirements; and the applicability of other codes and standards. All applicable requirements of the selected Code Section shall be met. For some installations, more than one Code Section may apply to different parts of the installation. The owner is also responsible for imposing requirements supplementary to those of the Code if necessary to assure safe piping for the proposed installation.
Certain piping within a facility may be subject to other codes and standards, including but not limited to
– ANSI Z223.1 National Fuel Gas Code: piping for fuel gas from the point of delivery to the connection of each fuel utilization device
– NFPA Fire Protection Standards: fire protection systems using water, carbon dioxide, halon, foam, dry chemicals, and wet chemicals
– NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities: medical and laboratory gas systems
– building and plumbing codes, as applicable, for potable hot and cold water, and for sewer and drain systems
The Code sets forth engineering requirements deemed necessary for safe design and construction of pressure piping. While safety is the basic consideration, this factor alone will not necessarily govern the final specifications for any piping installation. The designer is cautioned that the Code is not a design handbook; it does not eliminate the need for the designer or for competent engineering judgment.

Also the Scope: 300.1.1 Content and Coverage
(a) This Code prescribes requirements for materials and components, design, fabrication, assembly, erection,
examination, inspection, and testing of piping.
(b) This Code applies to piping for all fluids, including (1) raw, intermediate, and finished chemicals;
(2) petroleum products; (3) gas, steam, air, and water; (4) fluidized solids; (5) refrigerants; (6) cryogenic fluids

 

[dcasto]

I'd use B31.3. About the only worry I'd have would be from a huge leak of N2 in an inclosed area. If you don't want to do air change outs (at 13,000 ft) I'd install a low O2 sensor in the building.

 

[BigInch]

I believe that it won't qualify as a pipeline. Check the scope of coverage diagram in the appendix of B31.8 I don't know the distances, ownership of the property, or other details, but this "pipeline" certainly doesn't look like a pipeline. Looks more like an auxiliary system; a small N2 supply for an actuator oeprating the surge system. No difference from my typical case where we use N2 bottles as a gas pressure power source for emergency shut-in valves, or for a surge valve actuator. Tampoco different from starting air for a compressor, or compressed instrument air system, engine cooling water, or lube oil system. All B31.3, even if they are located in a bonafied petroleum pipeline pump station, or natural gas compressor station. I'd use B31.3

"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek

 

[fnunez]

Thanks for all the answers , @BigInch as you said certainly it's closer to an auxiliary system, a N2 supply for the surge system (surge tank). Apologyze, may my english wasn't clear enough, it's why I use the word pipeline, but in fact it's going to be a small supply station, closer to the tanks.

So all of you encourage me to use B31.3, @BigInch looks that you have some experience with this kind of system, which guidelines do I have to consider in the design of this N2 supply for surge tanks?.

 

[BigInch]

You'll probably need a regulator and automatic shut-off valve downstream of it, as I would imagine that you have 3000, or 5000 psig N2 bottles and the surge valve probably doesn't want that much. I don't have any data on your surge system. You probably want a purge vent valve near each surge tank too.

Make sure that the N2 supply volume is sufficient. Storage space nearby for another set of bottles ready to change over. Lock open the supply valves.

I'll keep my eye open for a hook up diagram. What N2 flowrate do you need going to those surge tanks?

"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek

 

[fnunez]

Flowrate no determined yet, I've just taken these project, I have tank's plans, the transient study where I find the flowrate on water pipeline, but not sure yet the N2 flowrate but I'm thinking to calculate from the tank volume, and when the system is activated, means when it is a critical change in pressure on water pipeline. I'm in the stage of requesting information.