TIPS ABOUT LAYOUT

When laying out piping on vertical suction and vertical discharge centrifugal pumps, assure that the
flanges on the larger valves do not interfere with each other. If they do interfer, but only slightly,
the use of eccentric reducers on both suction and discharge lines may offer enough offset to provide the
clearance you need.
Here are three factors to consider when laying out pump piping: First, has the stress engineer determined
the location of the supports? For most centrifugal pumps the stress engineer is responsible for locating
the support and guide scheme and determining the loads on those supports. The location of these
supports can affect how you layout the pipe, and vice versa. Second, do you understand how your
specific client plans on doing the maintenance for these pumps? Are they going to use a cherry picker or
some kind of A-Frame? Third, is there the potential for replication of this piping layout elsewhere in the
plant? For large numbers of similar systems it may be worthwhile to design for the largest pipe size and
highest temperature and layout all 'close' systems the same way.
Vertical pumps are more expensive than horizontal pumps. Yet vertical pumps can be the right solution
when you have problems achieving NPSH requirements. For example, between a horizontal centrifugal
pump and a horizontal vessel you would measure the NPSH distance you have between the centerline
elevation of the pump shaft and the bottom tangent line of the vessel. If you were using a vertical pump
instead, you would measure the distance between the bottom impeller of the vertical pump which can be
located below grade. This would lower the elevation of the horizontal vessel and save significant
structural costs.
When laying out the piping arrangement around centrifugal pumps, consideration must be given to the
location of pipe supports. Yet locating the supports on pump piping is typically the responsibility of the
stress engineer. Here are some simple rules to follow that will help you predict where the supports will be.
For end and side suction pumps, expect an adjustable or spring support to be placed at the first elbow.
Since both these types of supports typically need at least 12" clearance, maybe more, expect a dummy
leg off the first riser from the suction nozzle ONLY IF your bottom of pipe coming from the suction nozzle
is low to the grade. On a vertical discharge line we typically turn the pipe fitting to fitting to the horizontal
plane until the discharge piping clears the foundation then turn up. It is at this second elbow transitioning
from the horizontal to the vertical plane that a vertical dummy leg going to a spring can or adjustable
support can be located.
When a steam turbine is what drives the impeller of your centrifugal pump, a key design concern is the
inadvertent introduction of condensate into the turbine case. Liquid condensate will damage the turbine
blades. On the P&ID a steam trap is typically shown before the block valve to the inlet nozzle of the
turbine. What may not be noted is that the steam trap must be at a low point in the line. For vertical
inlet nozzles a layout mistake that is sometimes made is to have the inlet piping drop straight down with
the steam trap connection located above the block valve which sits on top of the inlet nozzle. This
piping arrangement is a mistake since it allows a small amount of condensate to build up between the
block valve and the steam trap connection. The objective of laying out this system is to assure that
NO condensate reaches the turbine case.
Centrifugal pumps with side suction nozzles are particularly prone to cavitations. A generally accepted
rule of thumb is to make sure a minimum of five diameters of straight run is added to the line before
it reaches the suction nozzle.

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When a pump suction line comes from below grade, be sure to orient the reducer at the pump nozzle with
the flat side up.
Pumps operating with exchangers and drums that are located in vertical structures can be placed beneath
the structure. Hydrocarbon leakage is usually not a concern in that type of situation (see tip regarding
pump location around pipe racks.) Centrifugal pumps in a vacuum service typically have to be located
very close or directly beneath the suction side equipment, which is normally a tower. When locating
pumps beneath a tower be sure to account for the potential of spring cans that support the pump causing
the pump to be elevated higher than normal. Also, pumps on springs have a tendency to vibrate
depending on flow rate. The potential for vibration on spring mounted pumps should be discussed with
both your stress engineer and your process engineer on the project.
Boiler Feed pumps must be located as close to the suction side equipment as possible (typically this
is a deaerator). Any pump whose fluid operates at close to the vapor pressure shall have the suction line
a minimal length with as few elbows as possible. This type of minimal layout length reduces the risk of
vapor bubbles in the suction line causing pump cavitation. Boiler Feed pumps fall into this category
of system.
When locating pumps along a pipe rack there are a number of things to remember. First, keep in mind
that in setting the pump location your objective is to minimize the length of suction piping while still
maintaining enough piping flexibility that the nozzle loads are low during operation. Locating the pumps
under the rack is one way to achieve this goal. The problem with pumps under the rack is the potential
for hydrocarbon leaks onto the pump motor which may create safety and/or maintenance problems.
Second, you can locate pumps outside of the rack (which is often what your client will require). When you
do this, be sure that you have accounted for the auxiliary steel that may be needed to support piping
going to and from the pump to the pipe rack.
Definitions relevant to this design topic The definitions listed below are sorted alphabetically according to
the defined term. If we have missed a definition please email us the term and meaning. We'll see that it
gets in the database.
Allowable Nozzle Loading: Allowable Nozzle Loading is the maximum amount of stress that the piping
configuration may impose on the pump suction and discharge nozzles, as set by the vendor, client or
code.
Cavitation: Cavitation is the rapid collapse of vapor bubbles that can produce noise, result in a loss of
head and capacity, and create a sever erosion of the impeller and casing surfaces in the adjacent inlet
areas.
NPSH: Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is one of the most important terms a designer has to know.
NPSH is a measure of the pressure drop of the liquid as it moves form the inlet of the pump to the eye of
the impeller. NPSH is a characteristic of the pump and is usually determined by manufacturer testing.
NPSH, Available: Available NPSH refers to the net pressure available in a given system, based on vessel
pressure and static head, minus the liquid vapor pressure and functional losses in the system. The
designers goal is to maintain equipment heights and minimize pump suction piping to ensure that the
Available NPSH is greater than the required NPSH. Insufficient NPSH can reduce pump capacity and
efficiency and lead to cavitation damage.
Pumps: The purpose of pumps is to make fluids flow. Pumps do this by adding energy to the fluid. Added
energy increases pressure. Fluid flows from high pressure to low pressure. Pumps add energy by
centrifugal action, by pistons, and by rotary action.
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Pumps, API: API (American Petroleum Institute) pumps refers to the horizontal, single-stage pumps
found in the petroleum. The standard developed by vendors, contractors, and users entitled API 610
Centrifugal Pumps for General Refinery Service is used to specify pumps for purchase. To a plant layout
designer, an API pump is a large, refinery-type pump.
Pumps, AVS: AVS (American Voluntary Standard) pumps This standard, issued by the Hydraulic
Institute, outlines several pumps with standard dimensions. They are interchangeable for a given size,
regardless of who builds the pump, with no effect on foundation, piping design, or type of electric motor
used.
Pumps, Centrifugal: The centrifugal pump is the most common type of pump in a process plant. A driver,
usually an electric motor but sometimes a turbine, whirls an impeller around the central axis of the
pump. As the fluid enters the side of the impeller casing through the suction nozzle, the impeller scoops
the fluid up, whirls it around the casing and hurls the fluid out of the discharge nozzle.
Pumps, Horizontal and Vertical: Horizontal pumps are the most common. Horizontal pumps have the
driver and the impeller at the same elevation connected by a horizontal coupling. Vertical pumps have the
driver above the impeller. Vertical pumps are used when NPSH requirements make using horizontal
pumps impractical.
Pumps, Reciprocating: Reciprocating pumps, which are used for viscous fluids or for small amounts of
fluid flow (such as for process additives), add energy by using a piston instead of the impeller found in
centrifugal pumps. Fluid pulsations can cause vibrations in the piping system.
Pumps, Rotary: Rotary Pumps are used for highly viscous liquids that a high-speed impeller cannot
push. The liquid is pushed through the pump casing by gears, vanes, or cams.
Vapor pressure: Vapor pressure is when the pressure in the pump suction line falls below the vapor
pressure of a liquid, the liquid changes to vapor. The pump cannot pump vapor and thus becomes vapor
bound

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