Code

I.E.M.S.A

PREHEAT
PROCEDURE

UAN (for QMHA)

Page

11-3090

1 of 5

PREHEAT PROCEDURE
Owner
: ENPC
Main contractor : Uhde
Project name
: AMMONIA UREA PROJECT

00
Rev

Status

CC Category Code:
1 = for approval
2 = for review
3 = for information
4 = for internal use
AC Acceptance Code:
1 = approved / reviewed
2 = approved / reviewed as
noted
3 = not accepted
4 = received

First Issue

11/6/2010

Emad Omar

11/6/2010

Hassan Basha

Description

Date

Prepared

Date

Checked

Date

Approved

Acc.

Status Code:
A = Issued for Design
D = Issued for Inquiry
E = Issued for Order
F = Issued for Prefabrication
G = Issued for Construction /
Fabrication
H = Issue for Work
Preparation
I = As- built
M = General Issue

Copyright 2007 Uhde GmbH

Doc. ID-Code
PT-BM-183-DC-00008

Category
1

Code

PREHEAT
PROCEDURE

I.E.M.S.A

CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6

ENPC
UAN (for QMHA)

Page

11-3090

2 of 5

PAGE
3
3
3
3
4
5

Purpose
Scope
Reference
Method & Equipment
Preheat preparation
Documentation

1- Purpose:

Copyright 2007 Uhde GmbH

Doc. ID-Code
PT-BM-183-DC-00008

Rev.

00

Code

I.E.M.S.A

PREHEAT
PROCEDURE

ENPC
UAN (for QMHA)

Page

11-3090

3 of 5

The purpose of this procedure is to define the practices and controls to adopt the
Preheating activities for piping .

2- Scope:
This procedure provides requirements for local preheat before and while welding
joints in piping. The preheating shall be performed when required by the Welding
Procedure Specification (depending on the material type, thickness, and service
conditions)

3- References:

UD-BM-G00-EC-00016 . ESD-Y4 Pipe Welding on site and the applicable WPS.

Welding & weld examination of metallic piping (UN 9253-06 Part 1)
List of fluids scope & post weld heat treatment (PWHT) ESD Y5
Preheating before cutting by flame (Oxypropane or Oxyacetylene)

4- Method & Equipment

Preheating is carried out using soft flame torches or gas burners or electrical
resistances with automatic or manually operated calibrated machines rated 45
or higher kVA, 3 phase 380V at 50 Hz with 3 to 6 channels. (according to joint
dimensions and type of base metals)

The heating elements shall be flexible ceramic pad heaters capable to with
stand 1000C with multi-stranded Ni-Cr electrically insulated element wire rated
at 30 to 80V. The cold wire shall be Ni or Ni-Cu wire.

Calibrated recorders shall have a range of 0 to 1000C minimum, inlets for 6

minimum type K thermocouples (TC), capable to accommodate charts at least
150 mm wide and with variable chart speed regulator.

Insulation shall be provided by ceramic fiber mats (stainless steel or Nickel alloy
wire mesh cover) 25 mm thick approximately and with minimum density of 64
Kg/m. When mineral wool is used, thickness shall be approximately doubled.

Measuring thermocouple TC type "K", NI-CHR/NI-AL

Copyright 2007 Uhde GmbH

Doc. ID-Code
PT-BM-183-DC-00008

Rev.

00

Code

PREHEAT
PROCEDURE

I.E.M.S.A

ENPC
UAN (for QMHA)

Page

11-3090

4 of 5

5- Preheat preparation

Heating of the material before and after welding shall be performed by means of
adjustable electric heating elements or by flame torches or gas burners (according
to joint dimensions and type of base metals)
The heating elements shall be arranged on both sides of the weld according to Figure 1.
In order to allow for the required grinding work, the spacing "A" should be approximately
100 mm.
The heat loss which depends on the wall thickness and the spacing of the heating
elements may be controlled by applying or removing insulation material in the area of the
weld.
The outer surfaces of the heating elements shall be provided with heat insulation to avoid
heat losses, and to protect the welder from excessive heat radiation during preheating.
The area between the heating elements shall be covered with ceramic fiber fabric.
The power supply of the heating elements must not be covered with the insulation to
avoid damage of the power cables.
Insulation
Insulation

M1

Thermocouple wire

50mm

Joint gap

Heat elements

Power cable

M2

50mm

Heat affected zone

Figure 1: Arrangement of heating elements

Preheating of the material up to the welding temperature shall be controlled by a number

of measuring points (See table no. 1) by suitable measuring instruments. Thermal stick,
Contact thermometers, infrared measuring instruments, or thermocouples are permitted
for this purpose. Measured temperatures shall be recorded.
If thermocouples have to be used, the thermocouple wires shall be tack welded at both
sides (MI, M2) of the joint by means of a spot-welding device, in each case in the 6
o'clock and 12 o'clock position. Prior to tack welding, the measuring points shall be locally
preheated according to table 1, The measuring points MI and M2 shall be arranged
according to Figure 1
The specified temperature shall be maintained during welding and checked with the aid of
thermochrome crayons, surface thermometers or thermocouples.

Copyright 2007 Uhde GmbH

Doc. ID-Code
PT-BM-183-DC-00008

Rev.

00

Code

PREHEAT
PROCEDURE

I.E.M.S.A
Material

Dim
(DN)
< 50

X10 Cr Mo VNb
9-1

>50<3
00
>300
< 50

X20 Cr Mo V
12-1

>50<3
00
>300

Preheating
temp.

Interpass temp.
(Max.)

180OC200OC
180OC200OC
180OC200OC
230OC250OC
230OC250OC
230OC250OC

300-320OC

<100
>100<
200

13 Cr Mo 4-5

>200<
900
>900

< 30 mm
thk. =
150OC
> 30 mm
thk. =
200OC

ENPC

11-3090

5 of 5

2 TC
4 TC

300-320 C

6 TC

250-300OC

2 TC

4 TC

250-300 C

6 TC

300 OC

NA

300 OC

NA

300 OC

NA

300 OC

NA

250-300 C

Page

No. Of thermocouple
Location
Preheat

300-320 C

UAN (for QMHA)

See Figure 1

6- DOCUMENTATION:
Preheating Chart in the case of using adjustable electric heating elements

Copyright 2007 Uhde GmbH

Doc. ID-Code
PT-BM-183-DC-00008

Rev.

00