Rotating equipment in hazardous applications requires special attention to ensure that they operate safely and reliably. The use of API 682 piping plan 72 is one way to achieve this goal. This plan is designed to improve the safety and reliability of rotating equipment by providing a secondary containment system that captures any leakage from the primary seal and directs it to a collection vessel. In this article, we will discuss how piping plan 72 works and its benefits in hazardous applications.
Piping plan 72 is a variant of API 682, which is the recognized standard for seals and seal systems in the petrochemical, chemical, and oil industries. It involves the installation of a “buffer” fluid system between the primary seal and the environment. The buffer fluid is typically a clean liquid that acts as a barrier between the primary seal and the process fluid. If leakage occurs from the primary seal, the buffer fluid captures it, preventing it from leaking into the environment.
The buffer fluid system used in piping plan 72 has several components, including a buffer fluid reservoir, a buffer fluid cooler, and a buffer fluid recirculation system. The buffer fluid reservoir stores the buffer fluid and allows for easy monitoring of the level and condition of the fluid. The buffer fluid cooler cools the fluid, ensuring that it remains at the correct temperature and viscosity. Finally, the buffer fluid recirculation system circulates the fluid through the equipment and back to the buffer fluid reservoir.
The primary benefit of piping plan 72 is improved safety. By capturing any leakage from the primary seal, the system prevents hazardous fluids from leaking into the environment. This is especially important in applications that handle toxic or corrosive fluids. In addition, the system reduces the risk of fires and explosions by containing any leaked fluids. This can prevent catastrophic accidents that can result in property damage and loss of life.
Another benefit of piping plan 72 is improved reliability. By preventing any leaked fluids from reaching the environment, the system reduces the likelihood of equipment failures due to corrosion or other damage caused by leaked fluids. This reduces the frequency of downtime and maintenance needed for the equipment, increasing its overall efficiency.
In conclusion, piping plan 72 provides a vital safety and reliability mechanism for rotating equipment in hazardous applications. Its use provides a secondary containment system, which captures any leakage from the primary seal and directs it to a collection vessel, preventing hazardous fluids from leaking into the environment. The benefits of using piping plan 72 include improving equipment safety and reliability, reducing the likelihood of equipment failures, and increasing the overall efficiency of the equipment. Its importance can’t be overemphasized and its use should be promoted to ensure adequate containment and prevent hazardous situations from occurring in critical equipment.
