Process Piping

Process Piping – What You Need to Know

Process piping differs from plumbing by its primary purpose. When the piping is used as part of the manufacturing process to convey fuels, chemicals, gases, liquids, and other raw materials, the necessary pipework is considered process piping. In contrast, plumbing deals with secondary processes, which include water, chemical, and fuel supplies for equipment operation as well as the necessary waste or drainage of these supplies after use. Due to the distinction between these two types of pipework, systems and materials in process plumbing are also different.

Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams

P&IDs are similar to the more familiar flowchart used in a variety of organizations for planning and workflow processes. P&ID maps the various piping and components present in a process piping system’s flow process. In the simplest terms, it provides processing facilities with a graphic representation of four basic system features, including:

• Details of piping and instruments
• Schematics for control and shutdown
• Demonstrates the implementation of safety and regulatory requirements
• Guides basic start up and operational functions

Engineers are usually responsible for designing P&IDs, which are then used by operations, maintenance, and management personnel in their various functions.

Choosing Materials

Proper material selection is critical for successful operation and long service life. The right materials will provide the required resistance to the various conditions of the environment surrounding them, such as:

• Temperature extremes
• Varying levels of humidity
• Common wear
• Internal and external pressure

The pipe material must also resist any corrosive effects caused by the materials moving through them. Ultimately, material selection must always consider any potential effects that could be caused by all internal and external conditions.

Choosing Types of Valves and Controls

Choosing the appropriate valves and controls is also critical to efficient operation. Similar to pipe selection, choosing these components requires considerations of both internal and external conditions, including the operating environment, the materials being moved through the piping, internal and external pressures, and more. Proper valve selection ensures proper function and reduced downtime due to valve maintenance or replacement.

Base Construction Capabilities

Our team at Base Construction has more than 90 years of combined experience in process piping. We have successfully completed more than 1000 projects, maintaining the singular attitude of providing safety, quality craftsmanship, and complete customer satisfaction to every job.

We are licensed in California and maintain professional affiliations in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). We are OSHA and PSM trained and have an unmatched safety record.

We dedicate ourselves to promoting and maintaining programs that encourage safe practices in the workplace and decrease the instances of unsafe and hazardous events in processing facilities. For this reason, Base Construction stays current on our OSHA and state compliance certifications and industry recognized best practices. Recognition of our commitment to industry-leading safe processes by our industrial clients provides evidence of the level of our commitment.

Our commitment to safe practices and quality assurance combined with our experience provide our customers with a decided advantage in meeting their needs. Contact us or request a quote to see how we can help with your process piping project.