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Process piping transports fluids (liquids, gases, slurries) under various temperatures and pressures in industries such as oil & gas, chemical, and power generation. Proper hydraulic design ensures:
This module covers three core areas:
Steady-state calculations assume constant flow. However, operational changes cause transients.
Pipe schedule indicates wall thickness for a given nominal pipe size (NPS). For a fixed NPS, higher schedule = thicker wall = higher pressure rating. ⚠️ Critical concept for Module 3: For the
| NPS | OD (in) | Sch 40 ID (in) | Sch 80 ID (in) | Sch 160 ID (in) | |-----|---------|----------------|----------------|------------------| | 2 | 2.375 | 2.067 | 1.939 | 1.687 | | 4 | 4.500 | 4.026 | 3.826 | 3.438 | | 6 | 6.625 | 6.065 | 5.761 | 5.187 |
⚠️ Critical concept for Module 3: For the same NPS, increasing the schedule reduces the inside diameter, which increases fluid velocity and friction loss. You must iterate between hydraulics and pressure rating.
Appendix A – Common Pipe Schedules & Dimensions (available in ASME B36.10) higher for superheated steam.
Appendix B – Allowable Stress Tables (ASME B31.3, Table A-1)
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Module 3: Process Piping Hydraulics, Sizing, and Pressure Rating Module 3: Process Piping Hydraulics
Properly sizing process piping is a cornerstone of industrial design, directly impacting plant safety, efficiency, and capital costs. This module covers the critical calculations and standards required to determine optimal pipe diameters and verify that selected materials can withstand operating pressures according to ASME B31.3. 1. Fundamental Hydraulics and Flow Equations
Understanding fluid behavior is the first step in sizing. The relationship between velocity, diameter, and flow rate is governed by the Continuity Equation. Hydraulics: Fluid Flow in Pipes | PDF - Scribd
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Industry "Rules of Thumb" (based on API 14E and general practice):
