What Is Industrial Piping?

22 Nov What Is Industrial Piping?

Posted at 20:49h in Piping, Resources by Matt Hannah

What is industrial piping? Industrial piping is a resource that plays a significant role in the effective running of all industrial operations. The absence of industrial piping would result in the inability of essential industries being able to transport critical materials such as water. With the solution of piping services, industries are able to effectively transport and convert materials to support critical societal structures.

This guide will establish the roles and responsibilities industrial piping plays in supporting industrial operations and will reveal the industry leader of piping services.

Defining Industrial Piping

Industrial piping refers to the pipes used within industrial operations. Industrial piping is characterized as a system made up of a series of components that are put together with the aim of transferring a substance whether it be a liquid, gas, or fine particles.

What is industrial piping exactly, though? Industrial piping can be made from a range of different materials such as aluminum, iron, concrete. The material used for the piping is determined by the industry it’ll be used for. It’s essential that the operating conditions align with the piping material to ensure that the material used is safe to be used under operating conditions of potential temperature, erosion, pressure, or corrosion.

Industrial piping systems are used in a variety of industries including water, manufacturing, engineering, chemical, and food production just to name a few. In each industry, industrial piping plays a significant role in providing a method of transferring fluids and substances in process industries.

Types Of Industrial Piping

There are different types of industrial piping. Each industry has its own regulations of the safety of its piping which regulate the piping material. Each pipe is regulated on how it can be cleaned as well as which substances it can carry. Different industries will require pipes that transfer slow-flowing liquids, whilst others will require pipes that can withstand high pressures. Ensuring that an efficient job is done correctly rests on the type of pipelines used.

Industrial pipelines can be established by three main categories. These are characterized as gathering pipelines, transportation pipelines, and distribution pipelines. These types of industrial piping work together to make an effective piping system that delivers an end-to-end service. This includes the extraction of materials, the transporting of the material, and the final delivery.

Gathering Pipelines

Gathering pipelines are used at the beginning of the process. They are designed to take materials and resources and transfer them from the point of extraction to the next location of a treatment facility. Gathering pipelines are generally small and short in diameter and length in order to reduce time.

Transportation Pipelines

Transportation pipelines are designed for long-term transportation through cities and countries. These pipelines are made with durability in mind and are designed to withstand high pressure. Due to their responsibility of carrying materials for long distances, it’s critical that transportation pipelines be made from durable materials that can withstand extreme environments.

Distribution Pipelines

Distribution pipelines are designed to carry materials that are ready to be delivered to their final destination and have gone through the relevant treatment processes. They are the types of pipelines used to deliver materials such as water and gas to homes or other materials to industrial and commercial destinations.

Find more information on the three main pipelines here.

What Is Process Piping?

Process piping is characterized as piping that is used to convert materials into a usable form of a product. This can include converting raw materials, gases, liquids, or chemicals. For instance, process piping within manufacturing may consist of piping that transfers water into a process where it can be converted into a drink. During the process, materials and substances may be added to make the finished product.

Industrial Process Piping

Process piping is considered to be a safe and efficient method of transporting fluids and materials through industrial facilities. Industrial process piping is frequently used in food, manufacturing, and engineering industries. It’s an effective method when it comes to transporting materials that require conversion.

Engineering Piping

Industrial piping covers a wide range of material transfer solutions that are used in many different industries. In order to meet industry-specific requirements, industrial piping varies in its materials used for transportation.

Piping within engineering is an example of how a wide variety of piping materials can be used in a single industry. Areas of civil and mechanical engineering require industrial piping systems that are responsible and effective in supplying water throughout buildings, providing a method of reducing surface rainwater, providing a method of disposing of wastewater, and efficiently draining soil and wastewater.

These responsibilities require strong and durable piping. Common piping materials used within the field of engineering include:

Cast iron pipes
PVC pipes
Galvanized steel pipes
Stone pipes
Asbestos cement pipes
Concrete pipes

Learn more about the different types of pipes used in engineering here.

Frequent Piping Issues

A commonly faced piping issue is experienced within the piping industry. The frequent challenge faced is accessing the pipe. More often than not, space allocated for piping is only sized for the piping itself. The problem is that there is little room for accessing the pipes for maintenance and repair. This effectively reduces the effectiveness and longevity of the pipes.

Solution: Gracon

Gracon is a leading piping construction company that provides innovative solutions to frequently encountered piping problems. For instance, their approach to tackling the problem of piping accessibility involves the implementation of critical training that ensures that the crew is taught to work safely in confined spaces and able to perform emergency action plans.

As a leading piping construction company that delivers piping systems and solutions for a range of industries, government agencies, and private companies, they strive to deliver esteemed quality, service, and timely results. They offer a range of services that provide;

High-pressure hydraulics
Raw water systems
Chilled water systems
Steam and hot water piping