Running 250psi- what piping system?

[tarbellb]

I will be installing machinery that needs 15.5bar / 215 psi constant pressure.

Going over my notes and research this is the upper end or beyond most typical piping systems

What are the industry standard systems for this kind of pressure, what should I be considering?

System scope:
Looking to pipe machine at high pressure then pipe remaining system down to 175psi

215psi @ 10+ cfm (machine only) 15ft run
Shop is less 150ft total pipe
needs to be extremely clean+dry air
would like to run 175psi @ 20cfm on the lower pressure side

I'm thinking 1" Copper L or K and solder joints from the compressor to machine (on board regulator) and mainline regulator

Then neck down to 3/4" pex al pex system post regulator to 1/2" drops

 

[toplessHO]

I would use black Iron

 

[theoldwizard1]

Type K copper. Good for over 400 psi. Braze instead of solder.

 

[larry4406]

I worked at a power station many years ago. They were running copper air lines. I recall it being either silver soldered or brazed.

I have the attached Copper Tube Handbook saved on my computer. Maybe it is helpful.

 

[whateg01]

No PVC?

Does there need to be some flexure at the machine end?

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Black iron lasts a long time with dry air.

250psi is nothing for it.

 

[willf650]

Black iron lasts a long time with dry air.

215psi is nothing for it.

Standard sch 40 screw fittings are only rated for 150#. You would have to step up to Sch80 fittings I believe but don't quote me on that as I would have to look up the specs but think it would meet them,

I would use copper and braze the joints. If you don't want to deal with purging technically 95/5 soft solder would be rated for the pressures you are working at but the generic 50/50 equivalent probably wouldn't be. They do make some soft solder for refrigeration lines that would be suitable as well.

 

[LopezBart]

Sil-Phos is a very useful self-fluxing brazing alloy for copper; it's widely used for refrigeration, and is much cheaper and easier to use for pure copper than high silver alloys.

If you go with black iron pipe, steel hydraulic fittings are less expensive than class 300 fittings.

 

[matt_i]

JW Harris Sta-Brite #8 solder for the win. You will think you're using leaded solder but it's approved for potable water systems. Approx 10ksi in tight shear like in a typical copper joint. Use Sta Clean flux from same mfg.

Hydraulic tubing with JIC flares would also be nice looking and plenty of safety factor. Plated steel fittings are not crazy expensive.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Standard sch 40 screw fittings are only rated for 150#. You would have to step up to Sch80 fittings I believe but don't quote me on that as I would have to look up the specs but think it would meet them,

I would use copper and braze the joints. If you don't want to deal with purging technically 95/5 soft solder would be rated for the pressures you are working at but the generic 50/50 equivalent probably wouldn't be. They do make some soft solder for refrigeration lines that would be suitable as well.

I know nothing about this but 150psi seems on the light side of schedule 40. I think the PEX tubing in my shop is rated that high. I found this chart online comparing 40 to 80 but idk if its true or not.

SCH 40 vs SCH 80 Steel Pipe Pressure Rating - Knowledge - Gnee Steel

SCH 40 vs SCH 80 Steel Pipe Pressure Rating

m.baosteelpipes.com

Again idk anything about this, just comparing my PEX to steel.

 

[micromind]

I think you should use 6" PVC. That way when it blows, it'll be spectacular!

Yes, schedule 40 (standard) galv and black iron are technically rated at 150 PSI but I've seen both used at much higher pressure.

Not sure but I believe the pipe is rated higher and the fittings are 150.

 

[Wfallison]

Standard sch 40 screw fittings are only rated for 150#. You would have to step up to Sch80 fittings I believe but don't quote me on that as I would have to look up the specs but think it would meet them,

I would use copper and braze the joints. If you don't want to deal with purging technically 95/5 soft solder would be rated for the pressures you are working at but the generic 50/50 equivalent probably wouldn't be. They do make some soft solder for refrigeration lines that would

Per ASME/ANSI B16.5, Class 150 malleable iron fittings have a maximum allowable pressure (MAWP) of 300 psi at 150 degrees F. 1" Schedule 40 pipe has a MAWP of >4000 psi at 200F.

 

[scooby074]

"Extremely clean" and high pressure immediately brings "Whats your definition of extreme clean, whats your budget" to mind. Id say Swagelok products, but that will make the baby Jesus cry.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

We are running 300psi through sch40 8" pipes at work. The burst pressure is over 4000psi.

Check out the 200psi copper pressure test caps. They are almost paper thin.