Engineering stress analysis to optimize the 3 Dimensional Piping Loops in Oil and Gas Industry

In an Oil & Gas refinery, fluid are transferred from one location to another by means of Piping. Pipe will expand if the fluid temperature is higher than that of the atmosphere. In the case where the expansion is controlled by support/equipment, it give rise to slight deformations and stresses on the piping along with connecting devices. As per ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) B31.3 code, thermal stresses with its allowable limits are calculated. The allowable limits of another type of stress which forms part of the piping are set out in this code and its permitted value, e.g.: pressures from pressure, weight, wind etc. Where the connection equipment is distant, it will be moved to a rack of pipes in order to facilitate accessibility into the process plant. For absorption of the heat expansion, a pipe rack loop is used. In the paper, optimization in the loops and deflection observation has been performed for the two process critical piping lines and finally calculated the loop dimensions under safety limits in relation to corresponding pipe size, temperature, pressure etc. Caesar II Software based on Finite Element Method (FEM) is being used in the analysis in designing two piping loops as per the guidelines strictly prescribed in ASME B 31.3. The analysis performed by considering an anchor/restraint position on both sides of PR (pipe rack) loop, as common practice followed in processing plants.