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Home Introduction Column Piping: Study Layout, Nozzle Orientation & Platforms
Requirements

Column Piping: Study Layout, Nozzle Orientation &

Platforms Requirements
3 Comments

1.0Sequence of Column Piping Study

1.1 All available information / data from Equipment specication and P&ID shall be written on
the elevation view of the column as illustrated in Fig.1, 2 & 3.

1.2 The designer now starts thinking about the proper orientation of nozzles and provisions for
access to the points of operation and maintenance.

1.3 Considerations of the pipeline leaving the tower area and the adjacent piping shall be
visualized.

1.4 The rst step is to orient the manholes preferably all in same directions. Normally, manholes
shall be oriented towards dropout area within a 30 segment of column as this facilitates the
lowering of tower internals to the main access way. The manhole segment of platform should not
be occupied by any piperack.

1.5 A break in ladder rise (normal 5m, maximum 7m) will occupy another segment of column for
platform.

1.6 The levels of platforms are to be decided on the elevation view based on the manholes and
access to relief valves, instrument for viewing.

1.7 All platform levels in the proper segments of the tower with ladder location should be drawn
on plan view. The manhole shall be shown in proper segment with the angle of orientation, and
the space for the swing of manhole cover taking davit hinge as centre.

1.8 Layout should be started from the top of the column with the designer visualizing the layout
as a whole. There will be no diiculty in dropping large overhead line straight down the side of a
column, and leaves the column at a high level and crosses directly to the condenser. This clears a
segment at lower elevations for piping or for a ladder from grade level to the rst platform.

1.9 Flexibility and thermal load connected with the large-dia overhead lines to the condenser at
grade level or higher level shall be considered. The relief valve protecting the tower is usually
connected to the overhead line. A relief valve discharging to atmosphere should be located on
the highest tower platform.

In a closed relief-line system, the relief-valve should be located on the lowest tower platform
above the relief -system header. This will result in the shortest relief-valve discharge leads to the
are header. The entire relief-line system should be self-draining.

1.10 From layout point of view, it is preferable to space the platform brackets on the tower
equally and to align the brackets over each other for the entire length of the tower. This will
minimize interferences between piping and structural members.

1.11 Nozzles and piping must meet process requirements while platforms must satisfy
maintenance and operating needs. Access for tower piping, valves and instruments inuence
placement of ladders.

1.12 In routing pipelines, the problem is faced to interconnected tower nozzles with other
remote points. The tentative orientation of a given tower nozzle is on the line between tower
centre and the point to which the line is supposed to run. Segments for piping going to
equipment at grade e.g. condenser and reboiler lines are available between ladders and both
sides of manhole.

See the Fig.4 / 5 for overall orientation of a distillation column.

Line approaching the yard/piperack can turn left or right depending on the overall arrangement
of the plant. The respective segments of these lines are between the ladders and 180. The
segment at 180 is convenient for lines without valves and instruments, because this is the point
farthest from manhole platforms.

The sequence of lines around the tower is inuenced by conditions at grade level. Piping
arrangements without lines crossing over each other give a neat appearance and usually a more
convenient installation.

1.13 The correct relationship between process nozzles and tower internals is very important. An
angle is usually chosen between the radial centreline of internals and tower-shell centrelines.

By proper choice of this angle (usually 45 or 90 to the piperack) many hours of work and future
inconvenience can be saved. Tower piping, simplicity of internal piping and manholes access into
the tower are aected by this angle. After this, the information produced by the designer results
in selecting the correct orientation of tower nozzles.

1.14 A davit usually handles heavy equipment such as large-size relief valves and large-diameter
blinds. If the davit is at the top of the tower, it can also serve for lifting and lowering tower
internals to grade.

Clearance for the lifting tackle to all points from which handling is required, and good access
should be provided.

1.15 Very often, interpretation of process requirements inside a tower is more exact than for
exterior piping design. The location of an internal part determines, within strict physical limits,
the location of tower nozzles, instruments, piping and the steelwork. The layout designer has to
concentrate on a large-scale drawing of tower-internal details and arrangement of process piping
to nalize the piping study.

1.16 Access, whether internal or external is very important. This includes accessibility of
connections from ladders and platforms and internal accessibility through shell manholes,
handholes or removable sections of trays. A manhole opening must not be obstructed by internal
piping.

1.17 Reboiler-line elevations are determined by the draw o and return nozzles and their
orientation is inuenced by thermal exibility considerations. Reboiler lines and the overhead
lines should be as simple and direct as possible.

1.18 Fig.6 shows the segments of tower circumference allotted to piping, nozzles, manholes,
platform brackets and ladders as normally recommended to develop a well-designed layout.

2.0 Nozzle Orientation and Level

Nozzles are located at various levels on the tower to meet the process and instrumentation
requirements.

2.1Manholes

Nozzles are to be oriented keeping provision for maintenance and operation needs.

Manholes are usually located at bottom, top and intermediate sections of tower. These access
nozzles must not be located at the downcomer sections of the tower or the seal pot sections of
the tower.

Where internal piping is arranged over a tray, manhole shall be provided but it should be ensured
that the internals do not block the maintenance access through the manhole.

Possible location of manhole and handholes within the angular limits of b are illustrated in
detail-2 of Fig.4

Fig 1- Sample Piping and Instrumentation Diagram around a Column

Fig 2 -Evaluation of the Flow Diagram for a Distillation Column to Visualize an Orderly
Arrangement of Piping
Fig 3- Typical Nozzle Location and Platform Elevations
Fig 4- Details of a Typical Distillation Column
Fig 5- Typical Tower Piping Arrangement
Fig 6- Typical Tower Area Division for Various Facilities

2.2Reboiler Connections

Reboiler connections are normally located at the bottom section of the tower. Detail-1 ofFig.4
shows reboiler draw-o connections for single-ow tray. This connection can be very important
for arranging tray orientation. The simplest, most economical location for reboiler connections
with the alternative location within the angular limits of a is shown. The angle a depends on
the size of reboiler draw o nozzle and the width of the boot (dimension b) at the tray down
ow.

The return connection from the thermosyphon reboilers is shown in detail-1 of Fig.4.

These lines should be as simple and as direct as possible, consistant with the requirements of
thermal exibility.

For horizontally mounted thermosyphon reboiler, the draw o nozzle is located just below the
bottom tray and for vertically mounted recirculating thermosyphon reboiler, the draw o nozzle
is located at the bottom head. For both the systems, the return nozzles are located just above the
liquid level as shown in Fig.7.
Fig 7 Reboiler Connection

2.3Reux Connections

Reux nozzles are provided with internal pipes that discharge the liquid into the sealpot of the
tray below. Detail 3 of Fig.4 shows the reux connections. Care must be taken that the
horizontal leg of the internal pipe clears the tops of bubble caps or weirs. It must be ensured that
the internal pipe can be fabricated for easy removal through a manhole or can be fabricated
inside the tower shell.

2.4Overhead Connections

The vapour outlet nozzle is usually a vertical nozzle on the top head of tower. In addition, the
vent and relief valve could be located on the top head with a typical platform arrangement for
access to vent, instrument connections and top manhole. In a closed relief line system, relief
valve should be located on the lowest tower platform above the relief system header. This will
result in the shortest relief valve discharge leads. The entire relief line system should be self
draining.
2.5Bottom Connections

The liquid outlet is located on the bottom head of the tower. If the tower is supported on skirt,
the nozzle is routed outside the skirt as shown in Fig.8. The elevation and orientation of this line
is generally dictated by the pump NPSH requirement and the pump suction line exibility. (see
Fig.9)

Fig 8- Details of Tower Skirt

Fig 9 -Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) of Bottoms Pump

2.6Temperature & Pressure Instrument Connections / Level Instruments

The temperature and pressure instrument connections are located throughout the tower. The
temperature probe must be located in a liquid space and the pressure connection in a vapour
space as shown in Fig.10.

Fig 10- Typical Temperature and Pressure Instrument Nozzle

Location
The level instruments are located in the liquid section of the tower usually at the bottom. The
elevation of the nozzles is decided by the amount of liquid being controlled or measured and by
standard controller and gauge glass lengths. Level controllers must be operable from grade or
platform and level gauges / switches may be from a ladder if no platform is available.

Fig.11, 12, 10, 13 & 14 illustrates a few instrument connections on tower.

Fig 11- Typical Instrument Vessel

Fig 12- Typical Arrangement for Level Instrument
Fig 13- Typical Temperature and Pressure Instrument Arrangements

Fig 14- Typical Common Bridle-Level Instrument

Arrangement

3.0Access and Maintenance Facility

3.1 Access whether internal or external is very important. This includes accessibility of
connections from ladders and platforms and internal accessibility through shell manholes,
handholes or removable sections of trays.

3.2 Tower maintenance is usually limited to removal of exterior items (e.g. relief or control
valves) and interior components (e.g. trays or packing rings) Handling of these items is achieved
by xed devices (e.g. davits or trolley beams) or by mobile equipment (e.g. cranes). When davits
or beams are used, they are located at the top of the tower, accessible from a platform and
designed to lower the heaviest removable item to a specic drop out area at grade level.

When mobile equipment is used, a clear space must be provided at the back (side opposite to
piperack) of the tower that is accessible from plant auxiliary road.

Fig. 15, 16, 17 & 18 illustrates the access and maintenance facilities to be considered in the
piping arrangement around a tower.

Fig 15- Platform Width Requirements

Fig 16- Typical Arrangement of External Piping around Column
Fig 17- Typical Operator Access
Fig 18- Typical Plan and Elevation View of Tower Area

On free-standing columns, access for major maintenance to insulation or painting will usually
require the erection of temporary scaolding. Space for scaolding at grade level and provision
of cleats on the shell to facilitate scaold erection should be considered.

3.3 Utility stations of two services viz. steam and air are usually provided on maintenance
platforms.

Steam and air risers should be located during piping study to keep adequate cleats for support.

(see Fig.19)
Fig 19- Typical Platform Arrangement

4.0Platforms and Ladders

4.1 Platforms on towers are required for access to valves, instruments, blinds and maintenance
accesses. Platforms are normally circular and supported by brackets attached to the side of the
tower. Generally, access to platforms is by ladder. Fig.20illustrates the platform requirements.
Fig 20 Tower Platform and Ladder Elevation Requirements

4.2 Platform elevations for towers are set by the items that require operation and maintenance.

The maximum ladder run should not exceed 7m.

4.3 Platform widths are dictated by operator access. The clear space on platform width shall be
min.900mm.

For platforms with control stations, the width of platform shall be 900mm plus the width of
control station.

The platform for manholes and maintenance access, adequate space for swing the cover ange
ange must be provided.

4.4 Top-head platforms for access to vents, instruments and relief valves are supported on head
by trunions.

4.5 Access between towers may be connected by common platforming.

4.6 It is preferable to space platform brackets on tower equally and to align brackets over each
other over the entire length of shell. This minimizes the structural design and interferences from
piping.

4.7 On very wide platforms or those that support heavy piping loads, knee bracing is required in
addition to the usual platform steel. The potential obstruction immediately under the knee brace
must be kept in mind during platform design.
4.8 Fig. 3, 15, 21, 22, 20 & 19 illustrates a few platform considerations.

Fig 21- Typical Platform Orientation

Fig 22- Details of Circular Platform Bracket Spacings

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3 comments

1.
P.R.SREEKANTH
June 8, 2015 at 12:19 pm

Very Good

Reply

2.
M.H. ARDI
December 31, 2015 at 1:17 am

GOOD, CLEAR, ACCEPTABLE

Reply

3.
mainuddin
December 6, 2016 at 8:55 am

very Good,

Thank You

Reply

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