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steam pipe slop in the pipe rack

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Frankcliu2009

Mechanical
Jul 1, 2014
5
A steam line reqiring 1% slop in the pipe rack. Clamp shoe is the support type. I am wondering what it is the typical way to make the slop: inserts plates under the shoe or adjust the rack steel height? or some other method? Thanks.
 
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The simple and easiest construction method is to add an insert plate under the shoe. That way you don't have to fabricate each rack for a different height. So all the racks would be fabricated identically.

However, you don't mention the length of the pipe. On very long pipes, the 1% will add up to a big adjustment. You also don't mention about other pipes on the rack.
 
IMHO, It is not always a good idea to run steam lines on a pipe rack..... for this very reason.

Because of the pipe slope, expansion loops, pipe movement, drip legs, valve access and other considerations, it is sometimes a better idea to run steam piping ( and the associated condensate pipe) on individual "tee poles" away from the rack.

The point I make is that to accommodate all of the necessary requirements for the steam system can sometimes totally complicate the rack design to the point of extreme additional expense.

If the rack is already "full" I would strongly explore this option.....

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
 
Not the "inserts plates under the shoe or adjust the rack steel height?"
Shoes are provided for sloped lines and insulated lines. The steam line in this case is both sloped and insulated. The shoe height is adjusted for the sloped lines at each support so that top of steel can be maintained. So shoe heights are "site adjusted".
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Imagine adjusting height of the rack steel, what would happen to other lines?
 
Say, you have 100 m length of pipe rack. The height difference between pipe end will be 1 % x 100 m = 1 m.
It is not common to design pipe shoe with above 1 m height. As I have applied in the past project, the steam line is located on highest level of P/R, then apply pipe shoe with height variation as the slope combined with T-Post support which the height can be adjusted as well. You can raise T-Post elevation, supposed after 20 cm of shoe height difference, equivalent with 0.2/1 % = 20 m of pipe length.

 
if7005,

Too complicated, IMHO.....

I believe that you have made my case for keeping long steam pipelines off the pipe rack.

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
 
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