Column Piping: Study Layout, Nozzle Orientation & Platforms

Requirements
s

1.0 Sequence of Column Piping Study

1.1 All available information / data from Equipment specification and P&ID shall be written on the elevation view of the column
as illustrated in Fig.1, 2 & 3.
1.2 The designer now starts thinking about the proper orientation of nozzles and provisions for access to the points of
operation and maintenance.
1.3 Considerations of the pipeline leaving the tower area and the adjacent piping shall be visualized.
1.4 The first step is to orient the manholes preferably all in same directions. Normally, manholes shall be oriented towards
dropout area within a 30 segment of column as this facilitates the lowering of tower internals to the main access way. The
manhole segment of platform should not be occupied by any piperack.
1.5 A break in ladder rise (normal 5m, maximum 7m) will occupy another segment of column for platform.
1.6 The levels of platforms are to be decided on the elevation view based on the manholes and access to relief valves,
instrument for viewing.
1.7 All platform levels in the proper segments of the tower with ladder location should be drawn on plan view. The manhole
shall be shown in proper segment with the angle of orientation, and the space for the swing of manhole cover taking davit hinge
as centre.
1.8 Layout should be started from the top of the column with the designer visualizing the layout as a whole. There will be no
difficulty in dropping large overhead line straight down the side of a column, and leaves the column at a high level and crosses
directly to the condenser. This clears a segment at lower elevations for piping or for a ladder from grade level to the first
platform.

1.9 Flexibility and thermal load connected with the large-dia overhead lines to the condenser at grade level or higher level shall
be considered. The relief valve protecting the tower is usually connected to the overhead line. A relief valve discharging to
atmosphere should be located on the highest tower platform.
In a closed relief-line system, the relief-valve should be located on the lowest tower platform above the relief -system header.
This will result in the shortest relief-valve discharge leads to the flare header. The entire relief-line system should be selfdraining.
1.10 From layout point of view, it is preferable to space the platform brackets on the tower equally and to align the brackets
over each other for the entire length of the tower. This will minimize interferences between piping and structural members.
1.11 Nozzles and piping must meet process requirements while platforms must satisfy maintenance and operating needs.
Access for tower piping, valves and instruments influence placement of ladders.
1.12 In routing pipelines, the problem is faced to interconnected tower nozzles with other remote points. The tentative
orientation of a given tower nozzle is on the line between tower centre and the point to which the line is supposed to run.
Segments for piping going to equipment at grade e.g. condenser and reboiler lines are available between ladders and both
sides of manhole.
See the Fig.4 / 5 for overall orientation of a distillation column.
Line approaching the yard/piperack can turn left or right depending on the overall arrangement of the plant. The respective
segments of these lines are between the ladders and 180. The segment at 180 is convenient for lines without valves and
instruments, because this is the point farthest from manhole platforms.
The sequence of lines around the tower is influenced by conditions at grade level. Piping arrangements without lines crossing
over each other give a neat appearance and usually a more convenient installation.
1.13 The correct relationship between process nozzles and tower internals is very important. An angle is usually chosen
between the radial centreline of internals and tower-shell centrelines.
By proper choice of this angle (usually 45 or 90 to the piperack) many hours of work and future inconvenience can be saved.
Tower piping, simplicity of internal piping and manholes access into the tower are affected by this angle. After this, the
information produced by the designer results in selecting the correct orientation of tower nozzles.
1.14 A davit usually handles heavy equipment such as large-size relief valves and large-diameter blinds. If the davit is at the
top of the tower, it can also serve for lifting and lowering tower internals to grade.
Clearance for the lifting tackle to all points from which handling is required, and good access should be provided.

1.15 Very often, interpretation of process requirements inside a tower is more exact than for exterior piping design. The
location of an internal part determines, within strict physical limits, the location of tower nozzles, instruments, piping and the
steelwork. The layout designer has to concentrate on a large-scale drawing of tower-internal details and arrangement of
process piping to finalize the piping study.
1.16 Access, whether internal or external is very important. This includes accessibility of connections from ladders and
platforms and internal accessibility through shell manholes, handholes or removable sections of trays. A manhole opening must
not be obstructed by internal piping.
1.17 Reboiler-line elevations are determined by the draw off and return nozzles and their orientation is influenced by thermal
flexibility considerations. Reboiler lines and the overhead lines should be as simple and direct as possible.
1.18 Fig.6 shows the segments of tower circumference allotted to piping, nozzles, manholes, platform brackets and ladders as
normally recommended to develop a well-designed layout.

2.0 Nozzle Orientation and Level

Nozzles are located at various levels on the tower to meet the process and instrumentation requirements.
2.1 Manholes

Nozzles are to be oriented keeping provision for maintenance and operation needs.
Manholes are usually located at bottom, top and intermediate sections of tower. These access nozzles must not be located at
the downcomer sections of the tower or the seal pot sections of the tower.
Where internal piping is arranged over a tray, manhole shall be provided but it should be ensured that the internals do not block
the maintenance access through the manhole.
Possible location of manhole and handholes within the angular limits of b are illustrated in detail-2 of Fig.4

Fig 1- Sample Piping and Instrumentation Diagram around a Column

Fig 2 -Evaluation of the Flow Diagram for a Distillation Column to Visualize an Orderly Arrangement of Piping

Fig 3- Typical Nozzle Location and Platform Elevations

Fig 4- Details of a Typical Distillation Column

Fig 5- Typical Tower Piping Arrangement

Fig 6- Typical Tower Area Division for Various Facilities

2.2 Reboiler Connections

Reboiler connections are normally located at the bottom section of the tower. Detail-1 of Fig.4 shows reboiler draw-off
connections for single-flow tray. This connection can be very important for arranging tray orientation. The simplest, most
economical location for reboiler connections with the alternative location within the angular limits of a is shown. The angle a
depends on the size of reboiler draw off nozzle and the width of the boot (dimension b) at the tray down flow.
The return connection from the thermosyphon reboilers is shown in detail-1 of Fig.4.
These lines should be as simple and as direct as possible, consistant with the requirements of thermal flexibility.
For horizontally mounted thermosyphon reboiler, the draw off nozzle is located just below the bottom tray and for vertically
mounted recirculating thermosyphon reboiler, the draw off nozzle is located at the bottom head. For both the systems, the return
nozzles are located just above the liquid level as shown in Fig.7.

Fig 7 Reboiler Connection

2.3 Reflux Connections

Reflux nozzles are provided with internal pipes that discharge the liquid into the sealpot of the tray below. Detail 3
of Fig.4 shows the reflux connections. Care must be taken that the horizontal leg of the internal pipe clears the tops of bubble
caps or weirs. It must be ensured that the internal pipe can be fabricated for easy removal through a manhole or can be
fabricated inside the tower shell.
2.4 Overhead Connections

The vapour outlet nozzle is usually a vertical nozzle on the top head of tower. In addition, the vent and relief valve could be
located on the top head with a typical platform arrangement for access to vent, instrument connections and top manhole. In a
closed relief line system, relief valve should be located on the lowest tower platform above the relief system header. This will
result in the shortest relief valve discharge leads. The entire relief line system should be self draining.
2.5 Bottom Connections

The liquid outlet is located on the bottom head of the tower. If the tower is supported on skirt, the nozzle is routed outside the
skirt as shown in Fig.8. The elevation and orientation of this line is generally dictated by the pump NPSH requirement and the
pump suction line flexibility. (see Fig.9)

Fig 8- Details of Tower Skirt

Fig 9 -Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) of Bottoms Pump

2.6 Temperature & Pressure Instrument Connections / Level Instruments

The temperature and pressure instrument connections are located throughout the tower. The temperature probe must be
located in a liquid space and the pressure connection in a vapour space as shown in Fig.10.

Fig 10- Typical Temperature and Pressure Instrument Nozzle Location

The level instruments are located in the liquid section of the tower usually at the bottom. The elevation of the nozzles is decided
by the amount of liquid being controlled or measured and by standard controller and gauge glass lengths. Level controllers
must be operable from grade or platform and level gauges / switches may be from a ladder if no platform is available.
Fig.11, 12, 10, 13 & 14 illustrates a few instrument connections on tower.

Fig 11- Typical Instrument Vessel

Fig 12- Typical Arrangement for Level Instrument

Fig 13- Typical Temperature and Pressure Instrument Arrangements

Fig 14- Typical Common Bridle-Level Instrument Arrangement

3.0 Access and Maintenance Facility

3.1 Access whether internal or external is very important. This includes accessibility of connections from ladders and platforms
and internal accessibility through shell manholes, handholes or removable sections of trays.
3.2 Tower maintenance is usually limited to removal of exterior items (e.g. relief or control valves) and interior components (e.g.
trays or packing rings) Handling of these items is achieved by fixed devices (e.g. davits or trolley beams) or by mobile
equipment (e.g. cranes). When davits or beams are used, they are located at the top of the tower, accessible from a platform
and designed to lower the heaviest removable item to a specific drop out area at grade level.
When mobile equipment is used, a clear space must be provided at the back (side opposite to
piperack) of the tower that is accessible from plant auxiliary road.

Fig. 15, 16, 17 & 18 illustrates the access and maintenance facilities to be considered in the piping arrangement around a
tower.

Fig 15- Platform Width Requirements

Fig 16- Typical Arrangement of External Piping around Column

Fig 17- Typical Operator Access

Fig 18- Typical Plan and Elevation View of Tower Area

On free-standing columns, access for major maintenance to insulation or painting will usually require the erection of temporary
scaffolding. Space for scaffolding at grade level and provision of cleats on the shell to facilitate scaffold erection should be
considered.
3.3 Utility stations of two services viz. steam and air are usually provided on maintenance platforms.
Steam and air risers should be located during piping study to keep adequate cleats for support.
(see Fig.19)

Fig 19- Typical Platform Arrangement

4.0 Platforms and Ladders

4.1 Platforms on towers are required for access to valves, instruments, blinds and maintenance accesses. Platforms are
normally circular and supported by brackets attached to the side of the tower. Generally, access to platforms is by ladder.
Fig.20 illustrates the platform requirements.

Fig 20 Tower Platform and Ladder Elevation Requirements

4.2 Platform elevations for towers are set by the items that require operation and maintenance.
The maximum ladder run should not exceed 7m.
4.3 Platform widths are dictated by operator access. The clear space on platform width shall be min.900mm.
For platforms with control stations, the width of platform shall be 900mm plus the width of control station.
The platform for manholes and maintenance access, adequate space for swing the cover flange flange must be provided.
4.4 Top-head platforms for access to vents, instruments and relief valves are supported on head by trunions.
4.5 Access between towers may be connected by common platforming.
4.6 It is preferable to space platform brackets on tower equally and to align brackets over each other over the entire length of
shell. This minimizes the structural design and interferences from piping.
4.7 On very wide platforms or those that support heavy piping loads, knee bracing is required in addition to the usual platform
steel. The potential obstruction immediately under the knee brace must be kept in mind during platform design.
4.8 Fig. 3, 15, 21, 22, 20 & 19 illustrates a few platform considerations.

Fig 21- Typical Platform Orientation

Fig 22- Details of Circular Platform Bracket Spacings

Introduction
Towers also referred to, as columns are one of the principal pieces of equipment of any processing facility. Towers are
cylindrical steel vessels that are used for distilling raw materials in the production of such products as gasoline, diesel, and
heating oil. The plant layout designer must understand the internal structure of a tower and how it operates to produce a
satisfactory design.
This chapter highlights the general requirements for the tower plant layout design. It describes the internal workings of towers
and provides the information required to orient nozzles; locate instruments, piping, and controls and provide platforms and
ladders for the operator and maintenance access.

The Distillation Progress

Crude oil is of little commercial use; when separated, or broken down, however, oil becomes one of the most valuable
commodities in the world. Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds with a wide range of boiling points from 100 0F
(38 0C) to 1400 0F (7600 C).
Separation or distillation is a process by which a liquid mixture is partially vaporized. The vapours are then condensed,
separating the individual components of the mixture. As the temperature of crude oil is raised, the initial boiling point (IBP) is
reached. As boiling continues, the temperature rises. The lightest material, butane, is produced first, at IBP, just below 100 0F
(38 0C); the heavier materials are produced below 80 0F (427 0C) The residue includes everything above 80 0F (427 0C) .
The evolution of distillation towers is best explained in three basic steps.

 The batch shell still process

The continuous shell still process.
The fractional distillation process.

Batch Shell
In the batch shell still process, the still is partially filled with a set feed called a batch. The feed is then heated to the temperature
required to produce a specific product from the overhead vapours. This process is repeated each time for each product until the
batch reaches the maximum temperature for the range of products specified. The feed remaining in the still is then pumped out,
and the still is allowed to cool. It is then refilled, and the whole process is repeated Not only is this process time consuming but
also the product is not always of high quality. The batch sheet still process was one of the earliest used for liquid mixture
separation.

Continuous Shell
In the continuous shell still process, several shell stills are linked in series to form a battery. Fresh feed continuously enters the
first still, which is kept at the lowest temperature for the lightest overhead product. The bottoms from the first still are fed to the
second still, which is kept at the temperature for the next highest boiling overhead product and so on for the number of
products needed. If the feed and the temperature of each still remain constant, the finished product is of satisfactory quality.
The continuous shell still process, which is an improvement over the batch shell still operation.

Fractional Distillation
Similar to the continuous shell still the fractional distillation process is made up of several stills linked together in series. The
main difference is that all the liquid condensate is returned to the upstream still As the feed is partially vaporized in the first
still the vapours rise, travel through the overhead line, and come into contact with the liquid in the second still. Because the
temperature of the liquid in the second still. Because the temperature of the liquid in the second still. Because the temperature
of the liquid in the second still is lower than the incoming vapours from the first still, the vapours partially condense. At the
same time, liquid from the second still enters near the top of the first still. As vapours rise in the first still, they meet the
incoming liquid from the second still.

Drawing
This causes vaporisation of the incoming liquid from the second still and condensation of the rising vapours in the first still The
same reaction takes place in all the downstream stills. This process improves on the previous operations in terms of quantity,
quality and a reduction in the energy needed to heat the raw materials.
All three-process arrangements are satisfactor y operations and play an important part in the development of the modern
distillation tower. The final step in combining these operations into one single component is achieved by stacking the stills one
on top of each other and installing an internal device between each still to allow the liquid to flow down and the vapors to rise.
This means that the single unit can function in a way similar to the multi shell unit for less capital and operational cost. The
reflux return line controls
the temperature of the fluids in the upper portion of the tower.

Vapour and Liquid Flow

One of the most common internal devices that allows the single tower to function similarly to the multi still unit is the tray.
Slots and holes in the trays allow the vapour to rise and the liquid to flow down.
Rising vapours in the tower pass through slotted bubble caps and come into contact with liquid flowing around the caps. Liquid
flowing down from trays above falls through the down comers and over and around the bubble caps round to the next
drwncomer. In this manner, the lighting boiling fractions in the down flowing liquid are vaporised by the heat from the rising
vapour and heavier boiling fractions in the vapour are condensed and flow down the tower. This process of vaporising and
condensing throughout the tower allows the feed to be separated into the required boiling-range fraction, which are drawn off
from the side of the tower at the appropriate location.

Types of Towers

Towers are named for the service or type of unit they are associated with for example a stripper is used to strip lighter material
from the bottoms of a main tower or a vacuum tower. It is generally used in a vacuum crude unit for distilling crude bottoms
reside under vacuum pressure.
From the outside, tower configuration are similar in appearance, varying only in dimension. Some towers have swaged top and
bottom section. The principal difference among towers is the type and layout of the internal components that controls the vapor
liquid contact. This chapter describes the internal and external plant layout requirements for the two most common types of
tower: the tray and packed arrangements and a typical tray tower with some of its associated components.
In a packed tower, instead of having trays, the units are packed with beds of metal rings. On entering the tower the liquid passes
through a distributor that route the liquid evenly down through the packed beds of metal rings. Rising vapours passing through
the beds come into contact with the descending liquid a manner similar to the tray tower operation, the liquid is partially
vaporise by the heat and the vapours are condensed by the cooler liquid.

Design Consideration for Towers

Towers are not a standard operation they are usually located within a process unit adjacent to related equipment and in a
suitable position for operator close to such related items as pumps re boilers drums and condensers and should be in position to
facilitate an orderly and economic interconnection between itself and that equipment.
Within the conventional inline process unit, towers and their related items are located on either side of a central pipe rack
serviced by auxiliary roads for maintenance access in plants in which the related equipment is housed, the towers is often
located adjacent to the building or structure containing the equipment.

Tower Elevation and Support

Tower elevation is the distance from the grade to the bottom tangent line of the vessel. Support is the means by which the vessel
is retained at the required elevation.

Although the tower elevation must satisfy minimum NPSH requirements, it can be set by a combination of the following
constraints whichever produces the minimum tangent line elevation.

NPSH

Operator access

Maintenance access

Minimum clearance

Vertical reboiler

Common access

A skirt is the most frequently used and most satisfactory means of support for vertical vessels, It is attached by continuous
welding to the bottom head of the vessel and is furnished with a base ring, which is secured to a concrete foundation or
structural frame by means of anchor bolts In most cases, the skirt is straight but on tall, small- diameter towers, the skirt could
be flared Access openings are required in vessel skirts for inspection and when possible should be oriented toward the main
access way a typical skirt arrangement.
The first step in tower layout is setting the bottom tangent line elevation. This step assists civil engineering in foundation
design, vessel engineering in support design, systems engineering in line sizing and rotating equipment engineering in pump
selection to set the elevation of a tower, the plant layout designer requires the following information.
Tower dimensions
Type of heads
Support details

 NPSH requirements
Bottom outlet size
Reboiler details
Foundation details
Minimum clearances
For example, the tangent line elevation of the tower has been set using the following information and the guidelines in this
chapter.
Configuration -Exhibit 10- 13 (operator access)
Tower dimensions 4ft (1,200mm) in diameter by
60 Ft (18,300mm) in length
Type of heads- 2:1 elliptical
Support Straight skirt with base ring
NPSH- 6 Ft (1800 mm) minimum.
Bottom outlet size 6 in diameter
Foundation Concrete point of support elevation of
101 ft (100,300mm)
Operator clearance 7 ft (2,100mm)
A freehand sketch should be used for this exercise.
Although the minimum NPSH requirement was a key factor in elevating the tower in this example, the height was finally
dictated by operator access clearance , which was the greater of the two dimensions. If the configuration had been used the
tangent line elevation would be 108.5 ft 102,600mm).

Tower Internals

Towers have a variety of internal devices for vapour liquid contact and feed distribution that affect the exterior layout of the
vessel. There is a wide range of designs for trays, which are the principal internal component of the tray tower. The two most
frequently used are the single pass bubble cap trays (e.g sieve or perforated trays) are similar in design to the bubble cap tray
and do not affect the layout of the tower, Tray configuration and dimensions are furnished by process engineering and are
included in the process release package.
Towers have the same tray configuration for the whole length of the tower. Some towers, however, especially those with
enlarged sections could change from single pass to double pass tray configurations. The chimney tray, if specified is another
device that could change the tray configuration. The chimney tray is a solid plate with a central chimney section and is usually
used at draw off sections of the tower.
The plant layout designer must orient the trays along with the tower nozzles to suit the best exterior arrangement. The tray can
be at any angle as long as the downcomers directly oppose each other.
Two main items that influence tray orientation are maintenance access ways and reboilers. The process vessel sketch that the
reboiler draw off nozzle is located directly below the downcomer of tray 2 and the plan arrangement indicates that the reboiler
is located on the west side of the tower and that the maintenance road is south of the tower. Therefore, because the tower
reboiler nozzle is generally on the same side as the reboiler and the maintenance access way is best located on the maintenance
side, the trays are automatically positioned about a north south centreline.
The principal difference between the travel and the packed tower is that the packed tower uses metal rings instead of trays for
vapour liquid contact The metal rings are dunped or pacjed into specific sections of the tower, called beds and supported by
cross grid bars spaced to prevent the rings from falling through. The supports are designed to allow vapour to rise and liquid to
flow down. Liquid is fed into the vessel at the top of each bed through a liquid distributor. Unlike the tray tower, there are no
special considerations for orientation of the beds, the distributor, or the packing supports.

Nozzle Elevation and Orientation

Nozzles must be elevated to meet the internal requirements of the tower and oriented for maintenance and operational needs.
Their position must also facilitate economic and orderly interconnection of piping between the tower and related equipment.
A maintenance access is usually located at the bottom; top and intermediate sections of the tower and is used to gain entry to
the tower during shutdowns for internal inspection and component removal. Maintenance accesses must not be located at the
down comer sections of the tower. Care must be taken at the sections of the tower that contain internal piping to avoid blocking
the maintenance access entrance.
Feed connections to trayed towers usually must be located in a specific area on the tray by internal piping. Which can restrict
nozzle orientation options. The restrictions are minimized by optional routing of the internal piping to facilitate the most
economic exterior arrangement Internal feed piping to packed towers is piped directly to the distribution and can be oriented at
any angle.
If specified, reboiler connections are usually located at the bottom section of the tower. For the horizontally mounted there
mosiphon reboiler the off nozzle is located just below the bottom tray to the vertically mounted recirculating the boiler. The
draw off nozzle is located at the Bottom head for both systems, the return nozzles are located just above the liquid level .
The vapour outlet is usually a vertical nozzle located on the top head of the tower. It is usually a single nozzle but in certain
cases (e.g. towers with very large diameters) more than one nozzle is specified on large diameter vapour lines, the vessel
connection could be welded instead of flanged. In addition the vent and relief valve could be located on the top head instead of
attached to the overhead piping.
The liquid outlet is located on the bottom head of the tower. If a skirt supports the tower the nozzle is routed outside the skirt.
As with the vapour outlet, when more than one nozzle may be specified the elevation of the nozzle is dictated by the constraints
discussed previously in this chapter. The orientation can be at any angle but generally it is dictated by pump suction piping
flexibility.

Temperature and pressure instrument connections are located throughout the tower. The temperature probe must be located in
a liquid space and the pressure connection in a vapour space. The preferred location for both connection level instruments are
located in the liquid section of the tower, usually at the bottom. The elevation of the nozzles is dictated by the amount of liquid
being controlled or measured and by standard controller and huge glass lengths. This information is furnished on the
instrument vessel.
When nozzles especially those with internal piping are positioned the plant layout designer must show adequate clearance at
tray support steel illustrates approximate tray support beam sizes indouts are measured from internal diameter of the vessel to
the face of the flange. To set top and bottom head nozzle elevations. The type of head must be specified. The information is
highlighted in the process vessel data. The two most commonly used are flanged and dished and 2:1 elliptical heads.
As an example, the nozzle elevations have been set using the following guidelines.
Process vessel sketch
Tray details
Type of heads 2:1 elliptical
Bottom tangent line elevation
Nozzle summary
Instrument vessel sketch
Piping and instrumentation diagram
Plant layout specification
Insulation None required

Platform Arrangements
Platforms are required on towers for access to valves instruments, blinds, and maintenance accesses platforms are usually
circular and supported by brackets attached to the side of the tower. Generally access to platforms is by ladder.

Platform elevations for towers are set by the items that require operation and maintenance and by a maximum ladder run of 30
ft (9150mm). Platform widths are dictated by operator access for intermediate platforms with no controls are required and
platforms with controls located to the side or the edge of the platforms. The width must be a minimum of 3 ft (915mm) plus the
width of the controls or sections for maintenance access platforms, adequate space must be provided to swing the maintenance
access flange open for storage against the face of the Top head- mounted maintenance A access must be from three sides for
typical maintenance access arrangements. Top head platforms are required for access to vents, instruments, and relief valves
and are supported from the head by trunnions. Typical top head platform arrangements. Access between towers, if layout
permits. Is provided by common plat forming. The platform elevations can be within a maximum difference of 9 in (230 mm)
but must be connected by mechanical joint.
Brackets for side-mounted platforms are evenly spaced around the tower and when possible, straddle both the main axes. Oddly
angled brackets can be used for small platform extensions as long as the bracket clip does not interfere with the adjacent
support. Exhibit 10- 46 is an approximate guide to bracket spacing.When a common ladder serves two or more platforms, the
ladder rungs must be level with the platforms they serve. The platform elevations must be in even increments to suit the
standard 12-in (300mm) ladder rung spacing. Ladders at tower transition sections and at flared skirts may be sloped, if
required, to a maximum angle of 15 from the vertical. Offsets in ladders should be avoided On very wide platforms or those that
support heavy piping loads, knee bracing is required in addition to the usual platform steel. The potential obstruction
immediately under the brace must be kept in mind during platform design For example, the platform elevations shown on the
process vessel. These are minimum requirements for instrument, valve and maintenance access.

Tower Piping
Tower piping is located in conjunction with tray nozzle and platform orientation. When possible the piping is grouped for case
of support and positioned to accommodate interconnection with related equipment and the pipe rack ,The preferred areas of
division for piping platforms and ladders.
Adequate space must be provided between piping and between the back of the piping and the tower shell to facilitate the
installation of pipe support which are attached to the tower.

Tower piping should be arranged with sufficient flexibility to accommodate tower growth and to allow interconnection to
equipment during regular operating conditions.
Relief valve systems that are open to the atmosphere are located at the top of the tower closed systems are located a minimum
distance above the relief ledder.
As an example the piping arrangement has been designed using the following information and the guidelines in this chapter

Process vessel sketch

Tray details

Nozzle elevations

Instrument vessel sketch

Piping and instrumentation diagram

Equipment arrangement

Platform arrangement

Nozzle summary

Plant layout specification

Tower Instruments

Level, pressure and temperature instruments control the operation of the tower and must be placed in a position that enhances
operation and maintenance without obstructing operator access. Instrument requirements for towers are usually highlighted on
an instrument vessel sketch furnished by the instrument engineer.
Level controllers, switches and gauges are either located individually or grouped on a common bridle or standpipe. The
controller must be operable from grade or a platform; gauges and switches may be operable from a ladder if no platform is
available.
Like level gauges temperature and pressure instruments can be operable from a ladder if a platform is not available at the
required elevation. They can be read locally or in the main control room.
Mounted indicators are available in a variety of styles with straight or swivel heads that can be positioned for clear dial
visibility.
The instrument arrangement has been designed using the following information and the guidelines in this chapter.

Nozzle elevations

Instrument vessel sketch

Platform arrangement

Piping arrangement

Level instrument locations

Maintenance
Tower maintenance is usually limited to the removal of exterior items (e.g. relief or control valves) and interior components
(e.g. trays or packing rings) Handling of these items is achieved by fixed devices (e.g. davits or trolley beams) or by mobile
equipment (e.g. cranes) when davits or beams are used they are located at the top of the tower accessible from a platform and
designated to lower the heaviest removable item to a designated drop area at grade. When mobile equipment is used a clear
space must be provided at the back of the tower that is accessible from the plant auxiliary road.
In certain cases, stiffening rings are specified as additional strengthening especially for the tower shell especially For towers in
vacuum services care must be taken in positioning the rings to allow adequate clearance at nozzles platforms ladders and clips.
Because of size, towers can be shop fabricated in two or more sections for shipment in one piece or in sections for field welding.
As with stiffening rings, allowances for clearances must be made between weld seams and attached fittings. The vendors vessel
fabrication drawings show the location of weld seams.
Utility stations are required at tower platforms that have maintenance accesses. Steam and air risers are the two services
required and must be positioned during the tower layout stage so that adequate clips can be furnished for support. Utility
station requirement such towers as demethanizers operate under extremely cold conditions and sometimes.
Require increased standout dimensions for nozzles, platforms, and ladders to clear extra-thick insulation and to prevent frost
on supporting steelwork. Polyarethance insulators are usually furnished with typical cold service tower requirements.
The dimensions, clearances, and guidelines highlighted in this chapter are an example of those to be used for tower
arrangements. The plant layout designer, however, must be familiar with company and client tower standards before
proceeding with tower layout and should coordinate the effort with such supporting groups as vessel, systems, process, and
instrument engineering.