Pneumatic Pipe Material selection 2

[BTriple7]

Am designing an aluminium docking structure to be used by mechanics during aircraft maintenance. As they use compressed air for their pneumatic drills, one of the design requirements is to install distribution piping on the structure, which can later be connected to the main pipes (from the compressor) at the time of use.
Can someone advise me on what is the best material to use for this pipe (PVC, Steel or any other), considering that weight has to be minimal as the dock has to be pushed around the aircraft manually.

 

[TBP]

DO NOT use PVC for compressed air (or any gas) piping. If it fails, it turns into shrapnel. Just drills, or do they also use other tools impact guns? How big does the air piping need to be?

 

[metengr]

BTriple7;
My advice to you is to obtain a copy of ASME B31.1 Power Piping. Recognized materials, design formula and fabrication/inspection are all addressed. This is the best way to handle piping for compressed air. Compressed air contains stored energy that can harm personnel and equipment.

 

[BTriple7]

TBP,
The main pipe from the compressor line has a diameter of approx 2". Compressed air is also used for filter cleaning among other purposes. Could rubber be feasible?

 

[BTriple7]

Guys,
I also forgot to mention that the main line has about 200 psi

 

[TBP]

What's the safety valve setting on the compressed air system? They likely just string air hose now, right? How big - 1/2" maybe? I'd consider something like 1/2 or 5/8" 0.035" wall stainless steel tubing and compression fittings if weight is a big factor. If the length is short enough that there's not much pipe involved, just go screwed steel.

 

[BTriple7]

TBP,

Thanks for your input so far.

The pipe length is about 100" vertical and about the same horizontally. I had not checked on the safety valve setting as i didnt think it was critical to the distribution pipe selection.

If am to go for stainless steel, I tend to think that I may have a problem threading the pipe for press-in-connectors.

What do you think?

 

[TBP]

Check the safety valve setting - it matters for safety & code considerations.

Check the operating pressure and max CFM required. These are required for sizing things so they work properly.

Outfits like Parker or Swagelok make just about every kind of adapter you can imagine. Very easy to go to NPT and screw on quick connectors.