ASME B31.3 Training: Process Piping Code Design Requirements Course

Course Overview:

The ASME Bo 31.3 Piping Design and Analysis course provides a detailed insight of the Asme B31.3 standard for the design of process pipework with emphasis on topics such as pressure design, material selection, fabrication, flexibility analysis and testing.

It is expected that participants understand and use the code provisions including design features, pressure testing (both hydrostatic and pneumatic) and flexibility factors. 

The course also concentrates on piping circumferential integrity calculations in line with API 570, decision making on run, repair and replace, and estimating the remaining useful life and maximum allow working pressure of piping systems. 

This is tailored for piping engineers, piping designers, and plant staff in refineries, petrochemicals and process industries and it presents practical aspects through examples and case studies.

Course Objectives:

• Familiarize participants with the organization and intent of the B 31.3 code
• Know how to read the code, and interpret its stated and implied requirements
• What issues to take into consideration when designing process piping
• Pressure design of piping and piping components
• How to analyze piping flexibility and gauge the limitations of piping and piping components
• Provide participants step-by-step approach to piping design, including the design optimization techniques.
• Introduce participants with various material selection, fabrication, erection, and testing of piping systems.
• Be able to understand the mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions, and optional stipulations given in the code and other service restrictions on piping systems.
• How to conduct and certify the pressure testing.
• Understand the principles of piping integrity assessments as per API 570 and to make run-repair-replace decisions.
• Know how to calculate Remaining life and MAWP of piping system

Who Should Attend?

Ideally suited for Piping engineers and designers, Plant engineers who need an understanding of the requirements for compliance to the Code for piping design and analysis, and testing. Managers, Engineers, Supervisors, and Plant operation personnel who work in the Refineries, Petrochemical plants, and other process industries will find this course immensely useful.

Course Outlines:

• Objectives and intent of ASME B 31.3 Code
• ASME B 31.3 Scope and applicability
• Understanding of the Codes, what means SHALL, SHOULD & MAY in Code
• Code contents, Stated & implied stipulations in the Code
• What are design conditions, design pressure & design temperature
• What are various fluid services generally encountered
• Definitions of Category D, M, U, Normal and High Pressure Services
• Concept of Weld Strength reduction factor
• Weld Quality factor
• Allowable stresses and the basis for its calculations
• Design of piping components for internal pressure

• Design of piping components for External pressures.
• Design of branch connections –reinforcements
• Selection of Flanges
• Design of pipe fittings such as elbows, tees, and blanks
• Service considerations in Design
• Flexibility considerations
• Case studies in flexibility calculations
• Methods to incorporate flexibility in Piping systems
• U - loops, Expansion Joints

• Extensive case studies on Piping Design
• Piping Span Calculations
• Selection of Supports and Hangers
• Material Identification, Certification, and Traceability
• Code accepted Materials and material testing
• Listed, unlisted materials
• General requirements to be checked before the selection of Material
• Limitations imposed by code on materials
• Impact testing requirements
• Acceptance Criteria as per ASME B 31.3

• Design interface with Fabrication, Assembly and Erection
• Code requirement for preheating and PWHT
• Design interface with Inspection, Examination, and Testing
• How to Conduct and certify pressure testing.
• Hydrostatic testing of piping system
• Pneumatic testing of piping system
• Service leak test
• NDT in lieu of leak test
• Case studies

• Additional Code requirements for special fluids services
• Specific Design Requirements for Toxic Fluid (M Category) services
• Design Requirements for High-Pressure Fluid services
• Design Requirements for High Purity (U category) Fluid services
• Design Requirements for High Pressure ( Category K) Fluid services
• Overview of flanges as per ASME B 16.5
• Piping integrity assessments as per API 570
• Making run-repair-replace decisions.
• Calculation of Remaining life and MAWP of piping system
• Real-world examples and case studies