Tapping a chilled water line at a Y-strainer 2

[Flxblflyr]

I work with a manufacturer who needs to tap a 6" chilled water line to a 4" hose, to sustain a critical process while a smaller chiller is being replaced. The 6" water line is insulated, clad, heat traced, etc.,It would be painful to tear into all that for just this temporary job, and that would also disrupt the process.
There is a y-strainer, however, in favorable location, and I have an idea. If I replace the end cap of the strainer with a (presumably custom) flange, I could thus bolt on a ~4" hose connection instead of the end cap. Basically this would be like a cleanout fitting, but with a big hole. The tapped flow would bypass the strainer, but we could add a strainer downstream. On further reflection, we might even mount another, 4" Y strainer to the cap of the 6", to provide a dual strainer and hose tap in one assembly. See the concept sketch. I see no reference to anything like this...If this is nuts, I'd like to find out ASAP. Any thoughts?

 

[LittleInch]

Well it's certainly err "unusual", but I can't see any fundamental concerns so long as the whole thing is well supported as the filter body won't be designed to have a whole bunch of stuff hanging off it and could overstress the forging unless you tie the whole lot together with some decent supports.

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[mk3223]

It can work if the the second Y strainer can be mounted tightly to the bottom drain nozzle of the first Y strainer per the proper bolting based on the ASME pressure rating.
Of cause, it should have adequate space below the original pipe for adding the second Y-strainer and subsequent pipe run.

 

[LittleInch]

Also changing the first filter will be a real fandango....


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Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[immsk]

Unusual but doable. You got somewhere for the return connection as well?

 

[LittleInch]

Instead of directly connecting the two, why doing you use a flamed 45 degree elbow so you could take this off to get at the first filter.

But check out the flange used on the end to see if its a standard flange.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Flxblflyr]

Thanks for the excellent feedback, guys. Your insight is humbling, as you are asking all the right questions- questions that took me some time to sort out. Some notes:
1. Screen changes. Yes. Difficulty changing the main screen may be acceptable- since the outlet connection is to a hose, and temporary by design. But that will mean a shutoff valve and at minimum hanging on the strainer end plate; lots of extra weight. If a second y screen is necessary, then the main screen will tend to pass the trash to the smaller one, since top strainer is now open at the end. That may extend the intervals, at least, and it may be possible to use a bottle brush to get a pretty good in-place cleaning of the upper screen. An elbow, as suggested, may help I can't tell yet, as it adds length and weight.
2. I may not need a screen on the hose. In that case, the connection will just be a shutoff valve and a Victaulic adapter.
3. Flange on the existing Y end-plate may be non-standard. Yes- true. And the vendors don't say. I will be on-site to measure it tomorrow. If it's nonstandard, then this would have to be a custom thing. Not impossible, but slower,+$$, and harder to sell to the user.
4. Connection on the other end of the cold water supply side hose might be the strainer on the other chiller. Tomorrow I sort that out. The connection for the return hose is... the access plate for the suction diffuser on the chilled water pump (...rim shot for comic effect). Please be gentle with me- I'm reluctant to even bring this up, but like the strainer, it also offers a flange connection. This would add a minority, relatively non-swirling flow, and upstream of the vanes. I think it will work... FWIW.
5. Pressure ratings etc are likely not a big factor, as this system runs well below the ratings on the fittings.
6. The tap from the other chiller to the return point is unsolved. Tomorrow, I hope to crack that.

I'll keep y'all posted. I get it- if there's going to be a big train wreck, you might as well watch...