Ammonia Piping Installation Procedures

Welding on ammonia system piping must be performed by a qualified welder utilizing qualified welding procedures in accordance to the ASME Code, Section IX. For further details review MDA fact sheet entitled, Anhydrous Ammonia Pipe Welding. SAFETY GUIDELINES REFRIGERATION VALVES. Proper selection, installation, service and main-tenance must be done to ensure effective and safe operation of PHILLIPS valve products and the system in which they are used. The information contained in this Bulletin is intended to assist you. • Ammonia Refrigeration Piping Practices Handbook.

  1. Ammonia Piping Specification
  2. Ammonia Piping Installation
  3. Ammonia Piping Design
  4. High Purity Piping Installation Procedures
  5. Piping Installation Procedure

References

Installation and operation of anhydrous ammonia systems. 'Anhydrous Ammonia' with 2-inch lettering (4 sides). CGA G2.1 - 2014 11.5.2 - Each nurse tank must be equipped with the following safety equipment. A legible decal listing first aid procedures to follow if injured by ammonia. CGA G2.1 - 2014 5.10.8.1 - All stationary storage.

This eTool includes resources from the following organizations:

Note: Standards are constantly being updated and revised. Refer to the latest version of the standard.

American Chemistry Council (ACC)

The ACC represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. Council members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier, and safer.


American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.

  • Mechanical Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Installations Aboard Ship. ANSI/ASHRAE 26-1996, (1996). Provides the minimum general requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of mechanical refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment aboard shipsto permit the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of such systems. See the Table of Contents.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

ASME International is a nonprofit educational and technical organization that conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, and sets many industrial and manufacturing standards.

  • B31.5-2001 Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components. (2001). Prescribes requirements for the materials, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, test, and inspection of refrigerant, heat transfer components, and secondary coolant piping.
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. (2001). Provides requirements applicable to the design, fabrication, inspection, testing, and certification of pressure vessels operating at either internal or external pressures exceeding 15 psig. Contains mandatory and non-mandatory appendices detailing supplementary design criteria, nondestructive examination and inspection acceptance standards.

International Institute for Ammonia Refrigeration (IIARa)

IIAR is an international association serving those who use ammonia refrigeration technology. IIAR is recognized throughout industry and government around the world as the authoritative source of information about ammonia refrigeration.

  • IIAR Process Safety Management Guidelines for Ammonia Refrigeration. (1998). Provides and overview of OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard. See the Table of Contents.
  • IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration Piping Handbook. Provides is a tutorial and reference book that represents the collective efforts of the most knowledgeable specialists in the ammonia refrigeration industry. See the Table of Contents.
  • IIAR Ammonia Data Book. Features resource data essential for the safe and efficient operation of any ammonia refrigeration facility. Contains a revised chapter on US regulatory requirements for ammonia and other valuable compliance information about federal regulations, such as the Community Right to Know Act. See the Table of Contents.
  • Oil Draining Guidelines. (1996). Describes procedures for safely draining oil from equipment.
  • IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration Library. The IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration Library is a complete set of IIAR Standards and Bulletins.
    • American National Standard for Equipment, Design & Installation of Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems. (1999). Applies to closed circuit mechanical refrigerating systems using ammonia as a refrigerant. Contains information to specify equipment and machinery room design and installation for ammonia mechanical refrigerating systems. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin #R1. A Guide to Good Practices for the Operation of an Ammonia Refrigeration System. (1983). A reference document providing users of ammonia refrigeration with suggested practices for the operation of an ammonia refrigeration system. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 107. Guidelines for: Suggested Safety and Operating Procedures When Making Ammonia Refrigeration Plant Tie-Ins. (1997, February). Addresses the need to approach ammonia refrigeration system tie-ins in a safe and methodical manner. Provides owners and contractors with a general checklist of safety and logistical items that should be reviewed when planning system shutdowns and tie-ins. Also provides engineers with ideas on how and where to design for future connections and taps that can make future tie-ins easier and safer. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 108. Guidelines for Water Contamination in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. (1986). Offers insights on where the water can come from and how to minimize continued infiltration. Provides an analytical approach to quantifying water concentrations, and recommends apparatus to remove the water. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 109. Guidelines for IIAR Minimum Safety Criteria for a Safe Ammonia Refrigeration System. (1997, October). Embraces an IIAR goal of ensuring that ammonia refrigeration systems are engineered, constructed and operated in a safe manner. Provides detailed lists of items to consider when designing, inspecting, or operating a system. Housekeeping, recordkeeping, code considerations and personnel safety equipment are some of the safety issues addressed. Also provides inspection checklist forms for compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels and heat exchangers to check system installation against recognized industry safety requirements. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 110. Guidelines for Start-Up, Inspection, and Maintenance of Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems. (1993, March). Covers ammonia characteristics and hazards, inspection and maintenance of equipment, start-up issues, reference standards, safety equipment, and log book record-keeping. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 111. Guidelines for Ammonia Machinery Room Ventilation. (1991, October). Major differences can be found between codes when determining ventilation requirements for ammonia machinery rooms. This bulletin cuts through the jargon and provides a practical ventilation design criteria that will satisfy existing code requirements and improve machinery room safety. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 112. Guidelines for Ammonia Machinery Room Design. (1998, June). Summarizes generally accepted industry practice for ammonia machinery rooms, and references relevant codes and standards where instructive. The recommendations in this guideline are most applicable to completely new ammonia machinery rooms. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 114. Guidelines for Identification of Ammonia Refrigeration Piping and System Components. (1991, September). Provides a comprehensive ammonia labeling scheme for companies in need of an identification system that 'covers it all.' Offers recommendations on label sizes, colors, installation locations and label material requirements. See the Table of Contents.
    • Bulletin No. 116. Guidelines for Avoiding Component Failure in Industrial Refrigeration Systems Caused by Abnormal Pressure or Shock. (1992, October). Identifies three significant factors that can lead to ammonia refrigeration system damage and personnel injury: trapped liquid, sudden liquid deceleration, and vapor propelled liquid. Also explains the most likely causes for each of these problems and provides design, operation and servicing tips that can minimize the chances of them occurring. Offers numerous suggestions on making hot gas defrost operations safer and more effective. See the Table of Contents.

National Board (NB) of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors

The NB membership oversees adherence to codes involving the construction and repair of boilers and pressure vessels.

  • National Board Inspector Code 2001 Edition, NB-23. (2001). Provides rules and guidelines for in-service inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, piping and pressure relief valves. Also provides rules for the repair, alteration, and re-rating of pressure-retaining items and repair of pressure relief valves. See the Table of Contents.

Ammonia Piping Specification


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease and injury. The Institute is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Note: The table of contents of these out of print NIOSH publications is currently available.

  • Working Safely with Anhydrous Ammonia. NIOSH Publication No. 79-120, (1979). Written for employees who work with anhydrous ammonia and briefly describes anhydrous ammonia's important physical properties, the effects of overexposure, first aid procedures, personal protective equipment useful to prevent exposure, and recommendations for working safely. See the Table of Contents.
  • A Guide for Developing a Training Program for Anhydrous Ammonia Workers. NIOSH Publication No. 79-119, (1978). Primarily emphasizes safety in the operation of facilities that handle anhydrous ammonia for agricultural purposes; however, the information included should interest all who handle anhydrous ammonia at other permanent installations. See the Table of Contents.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA maintains Safety and Health Topic pages that reference information on applicable standards, hazard recognition, exposure evaluation, possible solutions, and other information pertinent to various topics. The following Safety and Health Topic pages provide useful information relevant to ammonia refrigeration.

  • Ammonia Refrigeration. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Process Safety Management (PSM). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)

RMA is the national trade association for the rubber products industry.

  • Specifications for Anhydrous Ammonia Hose, 7th Ed. Publication IP-14, (2003). Covers hose, three-inch inside diameter and smaller, commonly referred to as 'pressure transfer hose', used to convey anhydrous ammonia liquid or to convey anhydrous ammonia gas where the gas is in contact with liquid ammonia.
  • Hose Technical Bulletin - Manual for Use, Maintenance, Testing, and Inspection of Anhydrous Ammonia Hose, 4th Ed. Publication IP-11-2, (1997).

References>> IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration Piping Handbook

IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration Piping Handbook. Provides is a tutorial and reference book that represents the collective efforts of the most knowledgeable specialists in the ammonia refrigeration industry.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 - Piping Size

  • 1-1, Introduction
    • Recommended Method (Based on an economic analysis)
    • Conventional Method (Based on pressure loss)
  • 1-2, Tables of Recommended Capacities
    • 1-4, Vapor Flow Capacity Tables
    • 1-6, Liquid Flow Capacity Tables
    • 1-6, Hot Gas Defrost and Receiver Equalizer Lines
    • 1-7, Flooded Evaporators
    • 1-7, Pumped Overfeed Risers
  • 1-8, Estimating Pressure Loss in Piping
    • 1-8, Pressure Loss in Vapor Piping
    • 1-8, Pressure Loss in Liquid Piping
  • 1-9, Valve Selection
    • 1-10, Hand Stop Valves
    • 1-10, Flow-Regulating Hand Valves
    • 1-10, Solenoid Valves
    • 1-10, Pressure Regulators
    • 1-11, Check Valves
  • 1-11, Velocity Guidelines
    • 1-11, Vapor Velocities
    • 1-11, Liquid Velocities
    • 1-12, Calculating Velocities
  • 1-13, Liquid Flow Formulas
    • 1-14, Sample Ammonia Vapor Flow Calculations
  • 1-15, Vapor Flow Formulas
    • 1-16, Sample Ammonia Vapor Flow Calculations
  • 1-17, References
  • 1-19, Appendix: Piping Sizing Example Using Tables
    • 1-19, Specifications
    • 1-20, Low Stage (Booster) Suction (LSS)
    • 1-20, Low Stage Booster Discharge (BD)
    • 1-21, Compressor High Stage Suction (HSS)
    • 1-21, Compressor High Stage Discharge (HSD)
    • 1-21, Condenser Drain (CD)
    • 1-21, Equalizer (EQ) for High Pressure Receiver
    • 1-22, High Pressure Liquid (HPL)
    • 1-22, Accumulator Low Pressure Liquid (LPL)
    • 1-22, Circulating Pump Suction (LTRL)
    • 1-22, Circulating Pump Discharge (LTRL)
    • 1-23, Overfeed Return (LTRS)
    • 1-23, Overfeed Riser
  • 1-25, Tables
  • 1-46, Figures

Chapter 2 - Pipe Installation Procedures

  • 2-1, Pipe Specifications
    • 2-1, Materials
    • 2-1, Impact Testing for Low-Temperature Piping
    • 2-1, Minimum Pipe Wall Thicknesses
  • 2-2, Pipe Connections
    • 2-2, Carbon Steel Piping
    • 2-2, Stainless Steel Piping
  • 2-2, Pipe End Preparation
  • 2-2, Welding Standards
  • 2-3, Cleanliness
  • 2-4, Pipe Hangers and Supports
    • 2-4, ANSI/IIAR-2 Requirements
    • 2-5, Sway Loads
    • 2-5, Rooftop Piping System
  • 2-7, Pipe Arrangements
  • 2-7, Branch Lines
  • 2-7, Penetrations
  • 2-7, Thermal Expansion/Contraction
  • 2-8, Joint Alignment
  • 2-9, Figures

Chapter 3 - Evaporator Piping

Ammonia Piping Installation Procedures
  • 3-1, Introduction
    • 3-1, Evaporator Performance
    • 3-2, Safety Considerations in Piping Systems
  • 3-3, Evaporator Piping
    • 3-3, Liquid Supply Lines
    • 3-6, Return Lines
    • 3-8, Hot Gas Defrost and Piping
  • 3-12, Detailed Piping Recommendations for the Installation of Air-Cooling Units
    • 3-13, Direct Expansion (DX) Air Coolers
    • 3-14, Flooded Air Cooling Units
    • 3-17, Liquid Recirculation Air Cooling Units
    • 3-19, Suction Shutoff/Defrost Pressure Control Arrangements
    • 3-21, Defrosting Air-Cooling Units Using Liquid Drainers
    • 3-22, Multiple Evaporators Controlled by a Single Group of Control Valves
    • 3-23, Detailed Piping Recommendations for the Installation of Liquid Chillers
      • 3-23, Shell-and-Tube Chillers
      • 3-25, Plate-and-Frame Chillers
    • 3-25, Special-Purpose Evaporators
    • 3-26, Piping and Valve Installation Detail
    • 3-26, References
    • 3-26, Figures

Chapter 4 - Condenser Piping

  • 4-1, Condenser Performance
  • 4-1, High Pressure Refrigerant Receivers
  • 4-2, Condenser Liquid Drain Piping
  • 4-3, Multiple Condensers
  • 4-4, Equalizing Lines
  • 4-6, Fundamentals of Condenser Piping Design
    • 4-6, Condenser Piping Design Procedure
    • 4-9, Large Systems with Multiple Evaporative Condensers
    • 4-10, Multiple Shell-and-Tube Condensers
    • 4-11, Multiple Evaporative Condensers with Shell-and-Tube Condenser(s) Operating in Parallel
    • 4-11, Multiple Evaporative Condensers at Different Elevations
    • 4-12, Constant Pressure Receivers and Pilot Receiver/Balance Tanks
    • 4-17, Systems with Heat Recovery
    • 4-17, Evaporative Condenser Water Piping
  • 4-19, Multiple Receivers
  • 4-20, Purging
    • 4-20, Purging Evaporative Condensers
    • 4-20, Purging Shell-and-Tube Condensers
    • 4-20, Piping for Manual and Automatic Piping
  • 4-21, Detailed Design and Installation Recommendations
    • 4-21, Compressor Discharge/Condenser-Inlet Piping
    • 4-21, Liquid Piping at Evaporative Condenser Outlets
    • 4-21, Definition of Trap Height
    • 4-22, Pipe Size Changes in Condenser Piping Networks
  • 4-22, References
  • 4-24, Figures

Chapter 5 - Equipment Room Piping

  • 5-1, Introduction
  • 5-1, Suction Piping
  • 5-2, Discharge Piping (High Stage and Booster)
  • 5-2, Lubricant Piping
  • 5-3, Oil Pot Piping
  • 5-4, Liquid Piping
  • 5-4, Thermosyphon Piping
  • 5-5, Recircular Piping
  • 5-6, Interstage Gas and Liquid Cooling
    • 5-6, Gas Cooling
    • 5-7, Liquid Subcooling and Flash Cooling
  • 5-8, Manual Emergency Discharge of Ammonia Refrigerant (When Required)
  • 5-9, Figures

Chapter 6 - Piping for Pressure Relief Devices

  • 6-1, Introduction
  • 6-1, Definitions
  • 6-3, Vapor Relief Device Sizing
  • 6-4, Size and Length of Discharge Line Serving One Relief Valve
  • 6-6, Discharge Lines for Combined Vapor Flow from Valves with Different Set Points
  • 6-6, Sizing Combined Discharge Lines for Non-simultaneous Releases
  • 6-6, When are Releases Expected to be Simultaneous Releases
  • 6-6, Sizing the Diameter of Discharge Lines
  • 6-7, Size a Common Discharge Line for Two or More Relief Valves
  • 6-9, Discharging Relief Valves Into the Lowside
  • 6-9, Replacement in Kind
  • 6-9, Use of Rupture Discs with Safety Relief Valves
  • 6-10, Vent Lines for Relief Valves on Compressors
  • 6-10, Liquid Relief Valves, Hydrostatic Relief Valves, and Liquid Relief Regulators
  • 6-10, Application of ASME Liquid Relief Valves
  • 6-11, Application of Hydrostatic Relief Valves
  • 6-12, Dispersion to the Atmosphere
  • 6-12, Dispersion to Water
  • 6-12, Appendix A: Effect of Inlet Piping on Relief Valve Capacity
  • 6-13, Appendix B: Application of Balanced Relief Valves, Pilot Operated Relief Valves and Rupture Discs
  • 6-13, References
  • 6-15, Tables
  • 6-19, Figures

Ammonia Piping Installation

Chapter 7 - Insulation for Refrigeration Systems

  • 7-1, Introduction
  • 7-1, Fundamentals of Insulation
  • 7-2, Design Considerations
  • 7-3, Insulation Physical Properties
  • 7-5, Effect of Water/Ice/Moisture on Insulation Value
  • 7-5, Insulation Material Selection
  • 7-6, Corrosion Concerns
    • 7-7, Carbon Steel
    • 7-7, Stainless Steel
    • 7-7, Pipe Preparation
  • 7-8, Insulation System Components
    • 7-8, Insulation
    • 7-10, Insulation Joint Sealant
    • 7-10, Vapor Retarders
    • 7-11, Jacketing (Weather Barrier or Primary Moisture Retarder)
    • 7-12, Weather Barrier Joint Sealant
  • 7-12, Recommended Practices for Insulation Applications
  • 7-13, Insulation Installation Guidelines
    • 7-16, Additional Considerations for Vessels
    • 7-19, Vapor Retarder-Mastic System (Indoor Service)
    • 7-20, Vapor Retarder Mastic (Indoor and Outdoor Service)
    • 7-20, PVC Cladding/Jacket (Indoor Service)
    • 7-21, Vapor Retarder and Cladding/Jacket (Outdoor Service)
    • 7-22, Vapor Retarder-Mastic System (Outdoor Service)
  • 7-23, References
  • 7-25, Figures
  • 7-52, Recommended Thickness Tables

Chapter 8 - Welding Procedures

  • 8-1, Introduction
  • 8-1, Pertinent ANSI Codes and Standards for Welding
  • 8-2, Jurisdictional Acceptance of Standards
  • 8-2, Definitions of Terms
  • 8-3, Welding Processes
    • 8-3, Typical Welding Machines
    • 8-3, Typical Pipe Welding Procedures
    • 8-3, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW, or Stick Welding)
    • 8-3, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW, or MIG Welding)
    • 8-4, Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
    • 8-4, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
    • 8-4, Gas Welding (FGW)
  • 8-4, Sample Specifications for Welding of Ammonia Piping
    • 8-4, Scope
    • 8-5, Documentation
    • 8-5, Base Metals and Backing Strips
    • 8-6, Welding Processes
    • 8-6, Filler Metals
    • 8-7, Shielding and Purging Gases
    • 8-7, Welding Positions and Applications
    • 8-8, Preheating
    • 8-8, Cleaning
    • 8-8, Special Applications and Testing
  • 8-8, Sample WPSs and PQRs
  • 8-11, Forms

Chapter 9 - Codes and Standards

  • 9-1, 1987 Pressure Vessels
  • 9-1, 1987 Refrigeration Piping
  • 9-1, 1992 Safety Code
  • 9-2, 1997 International Mechanical Code
  • 9-2, Titles and Sources of Codes, Standards, and Guidelines

Ammonia Piping Design

Appendix A - Legend and Symbols

High Purity Piping Installation Procedures

  • A-1, Legend
  • A-2, Symbols

Appendix B - Lists of Figures, Tables and Equations

  • B-2, List of Figures
  • B-10, List of Tables
  • B-13, List of Equations

Piping Installation Procedure