FLUID MACHINERY

SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT PIPES

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PIPE BASICS
A pipe is a form of pressure vessel that is able to
withstand the working pressure of the substance/ media
it conveys/ handles. In that if there is the presence of
“fluids” it automatically necessitates the usage of pipe
which actually serves as a “conduit”, a passageway where
such fluid is able to pass from one location into another.
The fluid mentioned maybe in the form of liquids (samples
of which are water, oil, fuel, etc.) or gases (normally air).
However, in the case of gases, a pipe is not always used.
Rather an “air duct” made from thin metal sheets whose
cross-section is shaped into a circle, rectangle, or square is
used. The reason is due to its being “lightweight” since
most airducts are to be found hanging from the ceiling.

Instead of pipes being placed above head

due to “weight concerns”, air ducts are
used due to its being lightweight and may
have its cross-section in the form of a
circle, square, rectangle with thin metal
sheets as the material being used.
In all cases, airducts are insulated to prevent either heat loss or
heat gain or basically to prevent affect the temperature of the
“media/ substance conveyed inside the airduct.

Pipes and tubes are most of the time being mistaken the same as each other. However, both are
different with respect to one another. Pipes are more diverse with pipe size diameters ranges from
small to intermediate to large to very large sizes (starting from ½” up) while tubes ranges in small to very
small sizes (starting from ½” and below).

From Left: Pipes have varyzing sizes, the largest ones capable of Tubes with less size variations
allowing humans to roam/ move freely inside for immense (choices) ranging from small to
pressures and smaller ones capable to withstanding small very small size ranges
pressure ranges, the typical pressure used in household systems.

Given their sizing, one can almost imagine where their purpose lies. Since pipes have larger pipe
size diameters, they could very well withstand immense pressures while tubes being smaller could only
with one smaller pressure ranges which basically explains why they are used mostly in tandem with
instrumentation devices which are sensitive and in terms of size, small size devices.
MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME
 Pipes as suggested by its much larger
diameter where the working substance
Certain tubes moves from within…
attached to
the pipe
connected to
the
instrument to
extract/
measure
data.

A cut-off section of a piping system where datas Pressure measuring devices are just one of many forms
referring to the “media/ substance” conveyed from of instrumentation devices. Its purpose is to measure
the inside are measured by using certain pressure since processes/ systems require a certain
instrumentation devices… working pressure that really needs to be maintained.

Tubes are not able to withstand high/ immense pressures with the material being used as the
culprit. They could be made from stainless steel, bronze, copper, brass, and alike whose common
denominator is their ability to resist “corrosion” which if not prevented within a “tube system” (a piping
system basically made from tubes could go and mixed with the flow that could possibly damage the
sensitive and expensive instrumentation devices.

In terms of sizing, pipes and tubes are also

different. If say you wish to obtain a ½” pipe and a
½” tube, the numbers suggest a different kind of sizing.
Pipes are measured according to their ID (inside diameter)
While a tube is measured according to its OD (outside
diameter).

Tubes are also different from pipes in the Tube

manner that they are being connected. They are
not threadedsince they are made from a much Connector
softer material as compared to pipes and
therefore“threading” themwould technically
make their thickness much thinner thereby further
softening that part (prone to breakage). Instead
they use “tube connector”, a fitting / accessory
for tubes. Once the components from the inside are
tightened, they produce a compressive effect from
the inside thus creating a “snug fit”, or one that is
not readily loosened. From LEFT: An exploded view of a “connector’ showing its
internal components. At RIGHT: A connector with a tube that
has already been “fitted”. Certain portions of the connector has
threaded ends to connect to another connector with its threaed end.

Pipes on the other hand maybe connected to another piping in a variety of ways. And these
maybe thru any/ a combination of the following:

1. THREADED CONNECTION
2. FLANGE CONNECTION
3. WELDED CONNECTION
4. EXPANSION JOINTS

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME

 Whenconditions warrants that the piping system/pipelinesto be disengaged for
possible alterations, repairs, or isolations the connection of pipes maybe connected either thru threads,
flanges, or by the use of expansion joints*(suitable only when the media/ fluid conveyed or handled
from the inside of the pipe has varying temperatures. But say, a particular piping system is anticipated
to have less/ no maintenance at all, a welded connection will do (torching the pipes will be the only way
to disengage the pipes).

Threaded connection of pipes is only possible if the pipe size diameter involved is 63.5mm and
below requiring the use of a pipe wrench where as a general rule, three threads of the pipe should be
manually be inserted before using a pipe wrench for the tightening procedure.

Flanged connection of pipes meanwhile is only possible if the pipe size diameters ranges from
63.5mm and above. It makes use of a “flange”, a plate like figure with bolt holes encircling from the
inside of its circumference where bolts are fastened with their nuts. Such flanges are available into two
types, an open and blind type. To allow the flow to take place, a pair of open flanges is required while
for isolation purposes, a pair of open and blind flange is required. Instead of using a pipe wrench, an
adjustable wrench, open box, or box wrench wrench will do for the tightening and loosening process of
the bolts.

When the media/ fluid handled or conveyed has varying temperatures, a piping system will be
subjected to “movement”, this is due to thermal expansion, a material property that is possessed by all
kinds of metals. With pipes being generally made from metal, such pipes would then be subjected to
unnecessary movement. If such movement is not taken care of and instead prevented, this would cause
the pipe to be stressed (thermal stress) and eventually would cause them to fail. In this case, the use of
expansion joints is considered, a moveable kind of connection that plays along with the unnecessary
movement that was earlier stated.

Different Pipe Fittings

F
A. Tee
A B. Reducer
C. Cross Tee
D. Plug
E. Reducer Coupling
D (External threads)
B
G F. Reducer Coupling
(External & Internal)
G. Rigid Coupling
H. Union

C E A piping system where the connection used was by

means of threaded connection.

Open and Blind Flanges

that have yet to be
connected to piping ends

Large pipe size diameters require that their means of connection require the use of “flanges”.

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME

 Certain piping systems
require mixed forms of
connections.

TOP: A welded and

threaded connection
combination

BOTTOM: A welded and

flanged connection
combination

Welded Connections are used in piping system

requiring less/ no maintenance at all.

With the expansion joints make-up resembling that of an accordion that is able to expand and contract,
expansion joints will play along any movement along the length of the piping thus preventing any build-
up of stress caused by the varying temperatures from the pipes from within…

An assemblage of pipes may either be called a “pipeline” or a “piping system”. A pipeline is a

series of interconnected pipes usually covering vast and remote/ inaccessible areas. This “long piping”
usually has a single suction (start point) where a pump is connected and discharge (end points) sections
usually in the form of storage tanks. Along the long section of piping, “valves” or metering/ regulating
devices could also be found.

….on locations of cold weather (snow) ….on mountainous/ rocky terrains ….above large bodies of water

For as long as there is a need to convey/

handle fluids there is always this need
to have either a “piping system” or a
“pipeline”….

Above Photos indicate the typical

….in the middle of forests/ reserves ….at great depths applications of pipelines…

A piping system meanwhile is more complex in than it involves the branching-out of pipes that
are connected either to machines/ equipments, valves, instrumentations and other pieces of
instruments/ devices.

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME

 An efficient piping system can
Provide solutions even with limitations
in space. This would just include sections
of piping being laid / erected in a
vertical manner instead of the horizontal
manner of laying and number of fittings
that will allow possible divertions (elbows).

Such kind of “system” can also be

used to convey other substances instead of
fluids (liquids or gases). Solids may also be
conveyed from the inside of the piping with
less worries of possible clogging. But this
would require the solids to be mixed with
either liquids or gases. Mixtures of solids
and liquids called “slurries/ slurry” could be
conveyed by using a prime mover (source of movement) in the form of pumps. On the other hand,
mixtures of solids suspended upon gases called “colloidal solutions” can be moved by a fan/ blower.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS OF PIPELINES/ PIPING SYSTEM:

For as long as there is a need for the handling/ conveyance of fluids from one particular location
into another, a conduit/ passageway in the form of piping (pipelines/ piping systems) is needed this
aside from valves (ones that provide the “metering/ regulation” of fluids) and the prime movers (those
that provide motion by introducing additional pressure in the form of pumps and fans/ blowers.
Specifically such conduits have a wide array of uses and this could include the following:

1. IRRIGATION PURPOSES

2. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

3. IN COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS (HOSPITALS &

WORK AREAS/ SHOPS)

4. IN HVAC SYSTEMS

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME

 6. IN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS (HOUSEHOLD &
5. IN REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
INDUSTRIAL)

7. IN FUEL/ OIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 8. IN HAZARDOUS

FLUID DISTRIBUTION 9. IN GREAT DEPTH PIPING SYSTEMS
SYSTEMS.

PIPEFITTER:

A tradesman that has extensive knowledge with regards to an efficient piping sytem/
pipeline is called a “pipefitter”. With their job being tedious and critical, certain highly industrialized
countries even have a specific course pertaining to their field, piping engineering and that they are
instead called piping engineers.

KNOWLEDGES POSSESSED BY A COMPETENT PIPEFITTER:

FAMILIARITY WITH THE DIFFERENT FAMILIARITY WITH THE DFFERENT WELD TYPES AT
PIPE SIZES BOTH IN SI & ENGLISH VARIOUS POSITIONING (OVERHEAD BEING THE
SYSTEM OF UNITS POSSESES PIPE LEVELING ABILITIES MOST CRITICAL)

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME

ABILITY TO PERFORM PIPE THREADING ABILITY TO PERFORM A PIPE FABRICATION
ABILITY TO PERFORM PIPE CUTTING AS
BOTH MANUALLY & BY USE OF A PROCESS EVEN WITH LIMITATIONS/
SPECIFIED IN THE BLUEPRINT.
MACHINE. ADJUSTMENTS THAT WERE NOT
PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED/ NOT PART
OF THE PLAN.

ABILITY TO READ ABILITY TO PERFORM PIPE KNOWLEDGE IN PERFORMING VISUAL ABILITY TO EXTRUDE (EXTRACT)
BLUEPRINTS. INSULATION PROCESS. INSPECTION OF PIPES TO CHECK-ON PIPING UNDER A SET OF DIFFICULT
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS/ HAZARDS. CONDITIONS.

COLOR CODING OF PIPES:

Industries/ plants requirenot only

one but multiple fluids as they form part of a particular
process/ system. As such this would require numerous
pipelines/ piping systems that will form part of its
distribution process. As suchwithout any proper
identification system, an individual even if considered
as a highly experienced personnel would be at a loss to
identify thesefluids insidethese pipelines/ piping
systems. In thiscase, a pipe identification system
should be considered and is more popularly known as
the “color coding of pipes”.

To further enhance “line checking (substance identification”

where the flow direction is to start and is to end, arrowheads are labeled on the piping itself.
Thearrowhead suggests the direction of flow and the tail of the arrowsuggests the origin of the
flow.

A given plant may use the set of colors as suggested in the

PSME/ PME Code or a set of colors with certain variations. Still it is
important to note that even with a different set of color for piping
(certain countries have different sets of colors since their basis did
Not came from the ASME Code which is what our country is using),
It still suggests that “colors” suggests a particular substance.

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME

USE OF COLOR CODING OF PIPES: COLOR CODING OF PIPES BASED ON
PSME CODE 1984 EDITION:

1. Easy identification of the fluid being conveyed

inside the piping.
2. With line tracing enabled,a maintenance
personnel could then perform troubleshooting
(problem identification by investigating a set of
current conditions) such as why was there no
flow, what was leaking and what was its
causes, clogging, and then could be able to
assesss if the prime movers being used (pumps
or fans/ blowers) were properly functioning or
not.
3. Could prevent accidents caused ofen by neglect
mainly due to fatigue/ exhaustion on the part
of the individual/ worker. This by preventing
what should be opened or not.
4. Establish smooth maintenance works in terms of
the time being used. Time could be wasted if
fluid has not been easily identified. This since
time is very critical in industrial/ power plant field.

COLOR CODING OF PIPES BASED ON PME CODE REVISED EDITION:

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES, RME