Pipe Rack Piping and Design

Structural steel pipe racks typically support pipes, power cables and instrument cable trays in petrochemical, chemical and power plants. Occasionally, pipe racks may also support mechanical equipment, vessels and valve access platforms. Main pipe racks generally transfer material between equipment and storage or utility areas. Storage racks found in warehouses are not pipe racks, even if they store lengths of pipe.

There are different types of pipes on the pipe rack. Utility pipes which include steam, cooling water, extinguishing water, fuel oil, and so on. These pipes are mostly located in the middle of a one-level pipe rack or on the top level when there are two levels. Then there are the process pipes. These pipes carry product that is part of the chemical reaction itself.

These are placed on the outside of the utility pipes (especially if they are heavy) or on the bottom level when there are multiple levels. Lastly, relief and flare pipes which fulfill a safety goal. They protect the installation against to much pressure and are always located on the outside of the rack.

Following modules have been covered and explained in systemic way. All the design considerations have been captured and explained in such a way that whole design section is covered.

•Inputs required

•Conceptual Design

–Interconnection Diagram

–Calculating rack width and no. of Tiers from Interconnection Diagram

–Operational/Maintenance/Access requirements

–Deciding the Elevation of transverse beams

Design Considerations

•Guidelines for placing lines on Piperack

Battery Limit Configurations have been explained

•Supporting & Flexibility requirements

•Equipment on Piperack

•Platforms above Piperack