In the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, pipelines connect the individual plant components. They transport utilities as well as raw materials, purified water and products.
Utility and product pipelines
Pipelines for utilities
- steam
- condensate
- cooling water
- compressed air
Product pipelines
- raw material lines
- purified water lines, e.g. from the DI water plant
- product lines
Design of pipelines
The requirements for a pipeline within the production plant depend primarily on the medium conveyed. This in turn determines the most important design data:
Properties of the medium
- properties and effects of the medium
- temperature
- volume flow
- viscosity
This determines the choice of
- material
- wall thickness
- nominal size
- nominal pressure
The design specifications are defined in company-specific pipe classes. In addition, supports and marking influence the pipeline and its routing.
Pipe supports
Pipe supports connect the pipeline to the building and the rest of the plant environment. They transfer the forces of the pipeline and specifically allow or prevent its movement. They are therefore classified according to their function:
- hanging (rigid or spring-loaded)
- supporting (rigid or spring-loaded)
- guiding (sliding, rolling or articulated)
- blocking (damping or braking)
The support spans should be chosen so that the pipeline does not sag.
If the temperature or load changes, the pipe length changes too. In addition, the conditions change from installation through commissioning to ongoing operation.
Marking according to the medium
Marking pipelines according to the medium they carry is essential – for safety, for proper maintenance and for effective firefighting. It is done using:
- signs or labels with identification, if necessary with additional colours and lettering
- colour rings and colour fields with identification, if necessary with additional colours and lettering
SEEFRIED Verfahrenstechnik GmbH supports you with the design and the requirement specification as well as with the procurement of process pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions about pipelines in process plants
Which types of pipelines are used in pharma and cosmetics plants?
A distinction is made between pipelines for utilities such as steam, condensate, cooling water or compressed air, and product pipelines such as raw material, purified water and product lines.
What does the design of a pipeline depend on?
On the conveyed medium, its temperature, the volume flow and the viscosity. These determine material, wall thickness, nominal size and nominal pressure, which are defined in company-specific piping classes.
What needs to be considered for pipe supports?
Pipe supports transfer forces, enable or prevent movement and must be selected so that the line does not sag. Temperature-related changes in length must be taken into account.
Why must pipelines be marked?
Marking according to the conveyed substance is essential for safety, proper maintenance and effective fire-fighting – using signs, stickers or colour rings.