Piping Interview Questions: All About Pipes

All About PIpes

What is Difference between Pipe & Tube?

What is Pipe NPS, NB & DN

What is Pipe Schedule?

What are EFW & ERW Pipes?

What are FRP pipes & it’s Features?

What are types of FRP pipes?

What are Pros & Cons of FRP pipes?

What are HDPE Pipes and it’s Features?

What are Pros & Cons of HDPE pipes?

What are Clay Pipes & it’s Applications?

What are Concrete Pipes & It’s Applications?

What are Glass Pipes & It’s Applications?

What are Plastic Pipes & Applications?

What are pipe spools and it’s Components?

What are Various Types of Pipe Spools?

What is Inch Dia?

Applications & Calculations of Inch Dia?

What is Inch Meter & It’s calculations?

What are Jacketed Pipes?

Application & Components of Jacketed Pipes

Understanding Key Piping Concepts

In the world of piping engineering, various essential concepts and terms define the materials and systems used in multiple applications. This article explores important topics, helping professionals gain a deeper understanding of piping systems.


Major Take-aways

  1. What is the Difference between Pipe & Tube?
  2. What is Pipe NPS, NB & DN?
  3. What is Pipe Schedule?
  4. What are EFW & ERW Pipes?
  5. What are FRP Pipes & its Features?
  6. What are Types of FRP Pipes?
  7. What are Pros & Cons of FRP Pipes?
  8. What are HDPE Pipes and its Features?
  9. What are Pros & Cons of HDPE Pipes?
  10. What are Clay Pipes & its Applications?
  11. What are Concrete Pipes & its Applications?
  12. What are Glass Pipes & its Applications?
  13. What are Plastic Pipes & Applications?
  14. What are Pipe Spools and its Components?
  15. What are Various Types of Pipe Spools?
  16. What is Inch Dia?
  17. Applications & Calculations of Inch Dia?
  18. What is Inch Meter & its Calculations?
  19. What are Jacketed Pipes?
  20. Application & Components of Jacketed Pipes

1. What is the Difference between Pipe & Tube?

Pipes and tubes are cylindrical conduits with distinct applications and specifications.

  • Pipes: Primarily used for transporting fluids and defined by their nominal pipe size (NPS).
  • Tubes: Often structural and defined by outside diameter and wall thickness, making them suitable for various applications like medical and aerospace.

2. What is Pipe NPS, NB & DN?

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS), Nominal Bore (NB), and Diameter Nominal (DN) are terms used to describe pipe dimensions.

  • NPS: Dimensionless number based on inches.
  • NB: Common in British standards, refers to the internal diameter.
  • DN: Metric equivalent measured in millimeters. Understanding these terms ensures proper sizing and compatibility.

3. What is Pipe Schedule?

The pipe schedule classifies pipes based on their wall thickness and pressure rating. Common schedules include Schedule 40 and Schedule 80.

  • Schedule 40: Standard thickness for low-pressure applications.
  • Schedule 80: Thicker walls for high-pressure applications. Choosing the right schedule is crucial for ensuring integrity in specific applications.

4. What are EFW & ERW Pipes?

Electric Fusion Welded (EFW) and Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) pipes are two welding methods.

  • EFW Pipes: Made by melting the edges of the metal, creating a strong bond, suitable for high-pressure applications.
  • ERW Pipes: Formed by rolling and welding steel sheets, commonly used in construction and structural applications.

5. What are FRP Pipes & its Features?

Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) pipes are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and flexible.

  • Features:
    • Long lifespan (often over 30 years).
    • Excellent chemical resistance.
    • Lightweight and easy to handle.

6. What are Types of FRP Pipes?

Several types of FRP pipes exist, including:

  • Pultruded FRP Pipes: Made through a continuous process for consistent quality.
  • Filament Wound FRP Pipes: Ideal for high-strength applications.
  • Thermosetting and Thermoplastic FRP Pipes: Different curing processes affecting their properties.

7. What are Pros & Cons of FRP Pipes?

Pros:

  • Lightweight and easy to install.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance.

Cons:

  • Higher initial costs.
  • Requires specialized installation skills.

8. What are HDPE Pipes and its Features?

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are known for their durability and flexibility.

  • Features:
    • Corrosion resistance.
    • Long service life (exceeding 50 years).
    • Low maintenance costs.

9. What are Pros & Cons of HDPE Pipes?

Pros:

  • Lightweight and easy to install.
  • Resistant to chemical corrosion.

Cons:

  • Sensitive to UV radiation.
  • Higher costs compared to traditional materials.

10. What are Clay Pipes & its Applications?

Clay pipes are durable and commonly used for sewage and drainage systems.

  • Applications:
    • Water and wastewater systems.
    • Environmentally friendly, maintaining soil moisture.

11. What are Concrete Pipes & its Applications?

Concrete pipes are known for their strength and durability.

  • Applications:
    • Stormwater drainage.
    • Sewage systems, able to withstand heavy loads and resist corrosion.

12. What are Glass Pipes & its Applications?

Glass pipes offer excellent chemical resistance.

  • Applications:
    • Used primarily in laboratory settings for transporting gases and liquids.
    • Non-reactive and easy to clean.

13. What are Plastic Pipes & Applications?

Plastic pipes, made from materials like PVC and PEX, are versatile.

  • Applications:
    • Plumbing systems.
    • Irrigation and drainage systems due to their lightweight and resistance to corrosion.

14. What are Pipe Spools and its Components?

Pipe spools are pre-fabricated sections that simplify installation.

  • Components:
    • Pipes.
    • Fittings.
    • Supports and flanges.

15. What are Various Types of Pipe Spools?

Different types of pipe spools include:

  • Standard Spools: Regular sections of pipe with necessary fittings.
  • Special Spools: Customized designs for unique applications.
  • Testing Spools: Used for pressure testing before final installation.

16. What is Inch Dia?

Inch diameter refers to the measurement of a pipe’s diameter in inches.

  • Importance: Essential for determining flow rates and ensuring fitting compatibility.

17. Applications & Calculations of Inch Dia?

Inch diameter is crucial for applications in plumbing and industrial systems.

  • Applications: Used to determine pressure loss and flow rates.
  • Calculations: Various tools and formulas assist in calculating flow based on diameter.

18. What is Inch Meter & its Calculations?

An Inch Meter converts inch dimensions to meters.

  • Conversion: 1 inch equals 0.0254 meters.
  • Importance: Ensures consistency in measurements across different systems.

19. What are Jacketed Pipes?

Jacketed pipes consist of a pipe within a larger pipe, providing thermal insulation or fluid temperature control.

  • Applications: Common in heating systems and chemical processing.

20. Application & Components of Jacketed Pipes

Components:

  • Inner pipe for the primary fluid.
  • Outer jacket for insulation or secondary fluid.

Applications:

  • Used for transporting hot fluids while minimizing heat loss.
  • Ideal in processes requiring temperature control.

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