The Engineer's Guide to Plant Layout and Piping Design for the Oil and Gas Industries

Geoff B. Barker

• Publisher: Gulf Professional Publishing
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9780128146545
• Topic: Negocios y empresa
• Subtopic: Industria de la extracción de recursos naturales

The Engineer's Guide to Plant Layout and Piping Design for the Oil and Gas Industries gives pipeline engineers and plant managers a critical real-world reference to design, manage, and implement safe and effective plants and piping systems for today's operations. This book fills a training void with complete and practical understanding of the requirements and procedures for producing a safe, economical, operable and maintainable process facility. Easy to understand for the novice, this guide includes critical standards, newer designs, practical checklists and rules of thumb.

Due to a lack of structured training in academic and technical institutions, engineers and pipe designers today may understand various computer software programs but lack the fundamental understanding and implementation of how to lay out process plants and run piping correctly in the oil and gas industry. Starting with basic terms, codes and basis for selection, the book focuses on each piece of equipment, such as pumps, towers, underground piping, pipe sizes and supports, then goes on to cover piping stress analysis and the daily needed calculations to use on the job.

• Delivers a practical guide to pipe supports, structures and hangers available in one go-to source
• Includes information on stress analysis basics, quick checks, pipe sizing and pressure drop
• Ensures compliance with the latest piping and plant layout codes and complies with worldwide risk management legislation and HSE
• Focuses on each piece of equipment, such as pumps, towers, underground piping, pipe sizes and supports
• Covers piping stress analysis and the daily needed calculations to use on the job

Chapter 1

Engineers and designers—Career paths—Institutes

Abstract

This chapter deals with the responsibilities of an engineer and designer. It also shows the guidelines to the routes and registration to become a professional engineer and technician.

Keywords

Engineers; Designers; American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Institution of Plant Engineers; Society of Operations Engineers; Institute of Mechanical Engineers; Energy Institute; Institute of Engineering and Technology

The terminology dimensional, temperature, pressure, etc. used throughout this book is shown in both metric and imperial (English units) notations. There are however some instances where the notation might be shown only in metric, and in other instances where it might be only shown in imperial (English units). This was done for the clarity of the particular calculation, and the fact that the book would be read by engineers in countries using both or either metric or imperial systems.

1.1 What is a Piping/Plant Layout Designer and Engineer

Engineer

The engineer is the person in charge of the engineering design of a plant and/or of a piping system. He or she shall be experienced in the design principles of piping and plant layout design, stress analysis, materials, and pipe support design, along with a thorough understanding of the ASME B31.3 code for pressure piping. The engineer shall also be responsible for the checking and approval of all design work produced by the designer.

Designer

The designer is the person responsible for the piping design and layout of a plant and/or piping system with emphasis on the detailed design. He or she shall be responsible for the ownership and lead of a design area or areas on a project, along with the detailed design and layout of equipment and piping general arrangement drawings, piping isometric drawings, and pipe support details.

Engineers

Engineers need the completion of (minimum) a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or an HNC/HND (Higher National Certificate/Diploma) followed by an extra year of learning, to bring up to degree status. Engineers require a minimum 4 years of study, plus 10 years of experience in the design of related pressure piping.

To gain Professional Engineer registration in the United Kingdom and its territories, the following are the requirements:

Chartered Engineer (CEng)—requires a master's degree in mechanical engineering and appropriate years of experience, plus the membership of a professional institution such as but not limited to:

• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers

• The Institute of Engineering Technology

• The Institution of Plant Engineers

• The Energy Institute

Incorporated Engineer (IEng)—requires a bachelor's degree or an HNC/HND (with an additional year of study) in mechanical engineering, and appropriate years of experience, plus the membership of a professional institution such as but not limited to:

• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers

• The Institute of Engineering Technology

• The Institution of Plant Engineers

• The Energy Institute

To gain Professional Engineer registration in the United States an accredited 4-year degree in mechanical engineering, plus study for the engineer in training exams which must be passed to satisfy the requirements of the professional engineering board depending on the state that the engineer is to practice in.

To gain Professional Engineer registration in any other country you must consult the relevant Board of Engineering for the country you live in.

Designers

Require the completion of an accredited engineering technician or associates degree, or an ONC/OND (Ordinary National Certificate/Diploma, NVQ qualification or equivalent), requiring at least 2 years of study, plus a minimum of 10 years of experience in the design of related pressure piping.

To gain Engineering Technician registration in the United Kingdom and its territories, the following are the requirements:

Engineering Technician (EngTech)—an ONC/OND (Ordinary National Certificate or Diploma) in Mechanical Engineering and appropriate years of experience, plus the membership of a professional institution such as but not limited to:

• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers

• The Institute of Engineering Technology

• The Institution of Plant Engineers

• The Energy Institute

To gain Engineering Technician registration in any other country you must consult the relevant Board of Engineering Technicians for the country you live in.

Fig. 1.1 Timeline to gain Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status.

Fig. 1.2 Timeline to gain Engineering Technician status.

1.2 Engineering Institutions and Engineering Societies

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

The ASME was founded in 1880 to provide a setting for engineers to discuss the concerns brought about by industrialization and mechanization. ASME is the leading international developer of codes and standards associated with the art, science, and practice of mechanical engineering. ASME started with the first issuance of its legendary Boiler and Pressure Code in 1914. These codes have now grown to nearly 600 offerings currently in print.

A major benefit of being an ASME member is to further your professional career, and to connect with the best minds in engineering, advance your career, and make a difference by getting involved. Joining ASME's community of engineers enables you to learn new technologies, keep your skills up to date, explore solutions to technical problems, and to advance your career. As an ASME member, you can take advantage of extensive professional and student benefits, most of which are available at no additional cost or at a substantial discount. ASME membership gives you the tools, professional training, information, and connections you need to succeed at every step of your career. Joining ASME is one of the most important connections a mechanical engineer can make. Members enjoy a host of valuable benefits, plus the opportunity to have a direct impact on the engineering field.

The Institution of Plant Engineers (IPlantE), the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)

The IPlantE (Institution of Plant Engineers) was founded in 1946 and is the professional sector for people whose engineering skills are typically used...