gwalkerb
Petroleum
- Jul 4, 2012
- 74
I work for a Canadian compressor packager, and we've recently made some inroads into the US. One result is that we now need to build some of our packages to B31.8, where previously we've only ever built to B31.3.
I'm developing a piping specification for our use for B31.8 applications - one question that I wasn't sure on was allowances for pneumatic testing.
Typically for B31.3 packages, we pneumatically test any instrument tubing connected to the process piping, and sometimes lower pressure utility piping, following the guidance of B31.3 345.1(b) & 345.5.
B31.8 also has allowances for pneumatic testing ( 841.3.1(c) ), but in Table 841.3.2-1, note (2) indicates 'Compressor station piping shall be tested with water to Location Class 3 pipeline requirements as indicated in para. 843.4.1(c)'. My interpretation of this note is that pneumatic testing is not allowed at all for B31.8 compressor applications. However, we would like to avoid hydrotesting instrument tubing lines, as it can be very difficult to purge any remaining hydrotest fluid from the lines after testing.
So I'm wondering how said tubing would typically be tested in B31.8 applications, and if my interpretation of that note is correct. Typically we're remote mounting pressure instruments for vibration isolation, so we have lots of impulse tubing runs all over our packages.
edit: would this query be more suited for the ASME (mechanical) Code Issues forum? If so I can close this topic and re-post to that forum.
I'm developing a piping specification for our use for B31.8 applications - one question that I wasn't sure on was allowances for pneumatic testing.
Typically for B31.3 packages, we pneumatically test any instrument tubing connected to the process piping, and sometimes lower pressure utility piping, following the guidance of B31.3 345.1(b) & 345.5.
B31.8 also has allowances for pneumatic testing ( 841.3.1(c) ), but in Table 841.3.2-1, note (2) indicates 'Compressor station piping shall be tested with water to Location Class 3 pipeline requirements as indicated in para. 843.4.1(c)'. My interpretation of this note is that pneumatic testing is not allowed at all for B31.8 compressor applications. However, we would like to avoid hydrotesting instrument tubing lines, as it can be very difficult to purge any remaining hydrotest fluid from the lines after testing.
So I'm wondering how said tubing would typically be tested in B31.8 applications, and if my interpretation of that note is correct. Typically we're remote mounting pressure instruments for vibration isolation, so we have lots of impulse tubing runs all over our packages.
edit: would this query be more suited for the ASME (mechanical) Code Issues forum? If so I can close this topic and re-post to that forum.