Reducers – What Is Piping

A piping reducer is a type of pipe fitting that reduces the nominal bore from a bigger inner diameter to a smaller inner diameter. Piping and Pipeline Systems are not of uniform size and there is a requirement of reducing or expanding the lines depending on process requirement or availability of material. Here comes the importance of a special pipe fitting called Reducers. Piping Reducers are one of the most extensively used fittings in the piping industry to reduce or expand the size of the straight part of the run pipe. Basically, reducers are available in two styles: Concentric reducers andEccentric reducers. Concentric Reducers As shown in Fig. 1, In concentric reducers the area reduction is concentric and the centerline of the pipe on a bigger end and smaller end remains the same. These styles are normally used for vertical lines. So in concentric reducers, the pipe axis remains the same. Reducers are reversible and can be used in any direction. Fig.1: Concentric Reducers Eccentric Reducers As shown in Fig. 2, in eccentric reducer there is an offset in between the center lines of the bigger end and the centerline of smaller end. This offset or eccentricity will maintain a flat side either on top or on the bottom side. Fig.2: Eccentric Reducer This offset or eccentricity can easily be found out by the following equation: Eccentricity=(Bigger end ID-Smaller end ID)/2 Eccentric Reducer Installation While using eccentric reducer, the user has the option of orienting the flat side. Usually, for horizontal lines, eccentric reducers are oriented with either the flat side up or down, and the same with deviation is mentioned in isometric. Normally eccentric reducers with the flat side down are preferred for following cases on horizontal lines: On Sleepers and PiperacksOn lines requiring gravity flowOn the pump suction line which handles slurry. Eccentric reducers with the flat side up are used for all pump suction lines (excluding pumps handling slurry) on horizontal lines. This way one can avoid air getting trapped inside the pipeline during initial venting through pump casing and will help in avoiding Cavitation. Types of Piping Reducers based on End Connection Depending on end connections of this fitting with a straight pipe, reducers are grouped as follows: Butt-welded piping reducers The applicable pressure rating, dimensional and material standards for butt welding reducers are the same as those applicable to butt welding elbows. Socket welded piping reducers As shown in Fig.3. such reducers are available in concentric type only & in the form of coupling with one end socket to fit larger diameter pipe and another end socket to fit smaller diameter pipe. Standards are the same as those applicable to socket welding elbows. Fig.3: Socket Welded Reducers Screwed piping reducers Available only in the concentric type and are in the form of coupling having one end to fit bigger pipe and another end to fit smaller pipe. ASME B16.11 is an applicable dimensional standard. Material standards including pressure ratings are the same as of screwed elbows. Fig. 4: Flanged and Screwed Reducer Flanged piping reducers Their pressure rating, use, material, and dimensional standards are the same as those applicable to flanged elbows. Regardless of reduction, their face to face dimensions is governed by the larger pipe size. Piping Reducer Fitting Dimension The dimensions for butt welded piping reducers are provided by ASME B 16.9. In pipe Data Pro software, you can easily get the required pipe reducers dimensions. The following image provides part of the pipe reducer size chart as a reference. Fig. 5: Pipe Reducer Dimensions Few more related resources for you.Piping Elbows vs Bends: A useful literature for piping engineers“Pipe Coupling”-A short Introduction for the piping professionalsDifferent Types of Hose CouplingsA Literature on Piping Nipples for piping and plumbing industry