vessel trims – What Is Piping

What are Vessel Trims? Vessel trims are the independent piping and instrument items that are directly attached to the pressure vessel. These pressure vessel trims are required for displaying the process parameters inside the vessel and for operation and maintenance purposes. By reading such working process parameters of a horizontal or vertical vessel, the performance and working of the pressure vessel can be known. The vessel trims provide various information like: the utilization capacity of the vesselthe working temperaturethe working pressurefluid flowfluid level Examples of Vessel Trims Typical examples of vessel trims are: pressure gaugetemperature transmitter,pressure transmittertemperature gaugesparge tubesrotameterdip tubespotential difference transmitterlevel gaugeoverflow and vent pipingspray ball assemblies, etc. Characteristics of Vessel Trims All such pressure vessel trims are linked with the DCS system for control room operation for reading purposes. Few of the vessel trims are considered as piping items while a maximum is considered as instrumentation items. Vessel trims are independent items and not manufactured along with the pressure vessel. However, the exact location of such vessel trims must be informed to the vessel manufacturer prior to fabrication of the vessel. Usually, the piping team is the responsible team to consider and locate the pressure gauge, potential difference transmitter, level gauge, temperature gauge, level bridal, rotameter, future connections with valve and blind flanges and inform the vendor of the exact locations. All these items can be removed from the vessel. Vessel trims are usually bolted with a vessel nozzle with a flanged connection. All vessel trims must be easily accessible. They should be visible easily to the plant operators and hence, must be installed at a reasonable height. Ladder and access platform must be provided for big diameter vessels when vessel trims are mounted on the top of the vessel. Usually, a separate vessel trim drawing is prepared to identify all these items. Scope and supply of vessel trims must be decided with the vendor prior to order finalization. All vessel trims must be indicated in the process P&IDs. Usually, these are added in the detailed engineering phase of any project. All vessel trims are loose items and generally identified by a trim number (line number). The design and materials of vessel trims are the responsibility of the piping engineer. The vessel trim materials are usually selected according to the designated piping material class.