About This Course
This intermediate course transitions participants from reading basic drawings to making critical layout decisions that directly impact project cost, schedule, and operational integrity. You will move beyond simple component placement to master the strategic planning of major plant areas like pipe racks, utility corridors, and pump houses. The focus is on implementing industry best practices and applying key ASME and API standards for equipment access, maintenance envelopes, and hazard mitigation. By bridging the gap between design theory and real-world construction needs, you will significantly enhance your contribution to multi-disciplinary teams and ensure layouts are constructable, safe, and mechanically sound.
Learning Objectives
Design Major Plant Areas: Develop comprehensive layouts for common plant areas (e.g., pump stations, compression stations, cooling towers) adhering to API and OSHA standards.
Optimize Pipe Rack Geometry: Calculate and optimize pipe rack width, height, and bay spacing while managing utility segregation and thermal expansion requirements.
Resolve Layout Conflicts: Proactively identify and resolve complex clashes and interferences using 3D model review techniques (e.g., navigating virtual HAZOP and 3D Model Review sessions).
Apply Design for Maintenance (DFM): Ensure adequate maintenance envelopes and removal paths for critical equipment (e.g., heat exchangers, valves, pump spares) to minimize future downtime.
Specify Specialty Items: Prepare accurate data sheets for critical piping specialty items (e.g., strainers, spectacle blinds, flame arrestors) and integrate them correctly into the layout.
Generate Core Deliverables: Produce precise Plot Plans, Equipment Arrangements, and Piping Key Plans suitable for structural and civil engineering use.
Material Includes
- Reference charts
- Advanced Case Studies of Plant Layouts.
- Reference to Main books/chapters.
Requirements
- Owing technical knowledge of Process Plant Layout and Piping Design, Level-I. professional experience (minimum 1 year) in reading P&IDs and basic isometric drawings.
Target Audience
- Intermediate Piping Designers / 3D Modelers, Discipline Engineers (Civil/Mechanical) who interface with layout, and Junior Layout Engineers seeking practical application skills.
Curriculum
36h
Module 1: Advanced P&ID Interpretation and Specification
Detailed review of line class designations, instrument tap locations, and P&ID compliance checks for physical layout feasibility.
Module 2: Strategic Equipment Layout (API Standards)
Layout principles for Pumps (API 610), Compressors, and Heat Exchangers. Clearances for maintenance, withdrawal paths, and vapor control.
Module 3: Pipe Rack Design and Routing
Calculating pipe rack bay size and width. Segregation principles for different fluids (hydrocarbons, utilities, high-temp lines). Management of anchor and guide locations.
Module 4: Piping Specialty Items and Data Sheets
Functional requirements and layout for strainers, spectacle blinds, vents, drains, and expansion joints. Preparing preliminary component data sheets.
Module 5: Design for Maintenance (DFM) and Safety
Defining access platforms, ladders, stairs, and roads. Ensuring compliance with OSHA/Client safety access standards and establishing required fire protection clearances.
Module 6: Introduction to Stress and Flexibility Constraints
Recognizing layout conditions that cause high stress (short spans, rigid connections). Preliminary estimation of thermal loop placement and sizing.
Module 7: 3D Model Review and Clash Management
Techniques for effective 3D Model participation. Systematic identification and resolution of hard and soft clashes with other disciplines (Civil, Structural, Electrical).
Module 8: Developing Project Deliverables
Preparing Piping Key Plans, Final Equipment Arrangement Drawings, and contributing data to the Line List and MTO for procurement.
