【2025 Process Piping】The key differences between \"industrial piping\" and \"process piping\"

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●Process pipelines: Process pipelines refer to the pipes that are connected together to meet certain production processes, and they constitute a core part of such processes. In ordinary civil buildings and industrial plants, aside from the water supply and drainage pipes, fire protection pipes, and rainwater drainage pipes, all other pipes can be classified as process pipes, such as those for production circulating water, compressed air, steam, nitrogen, gas, sulfuric acid, alkaline solutions, ammonia water, ammonia gas, and so on.

●Industrial pipelines: Industrial pipelines refer to the collective term for all tubular installations in industrial enterprises such as those in the oil, chemical, light industry, pharmaceutical, and mining sectors. It is a broader concept that includes the process pipelines, utility pipelines, and other auxiliary pipelines required for the production of various products in industrial and institutional facilities. In other words, industrial pipelines include not only process pipelines but also utility pipelines such as water supply and drainage, gas supply, and power transmission, as well as other auxiliary pipelines.

In accordance with the \"Regulations on Safety Inspection of Pressure Pipelines – Industrial Pipelines\" (TSG D0001-2009) and the latest revised standards, industrial pipelines are classified into the following categories: 1. GC category (industrial pipelines). GC1 level: Pipelines that handle media with high risks of toxicity or flammability (such as chemicals in Category 1 of acute toxicity, or flammable liquids of Class A), or those operating under high pressure and high temperature conditions (≥10 MPa or ≥4 MPa and ≥400°C). GC2 level: Piping other than GC1 and GC3, including ordinary process piping and refrigeration piping. GC3 grade: Pipelines that transport non-toxic, non-flammable media at a pressure of ≤1.0 MPa and temperatures ranging from -20 to 185°C (some standards have eliminated the GC3 grade and incorporated it into the GC2 grade).

Process pipelines are part of the GC category and need to be further subdivided based on the properties of the medium. For example: Chemical reaction pipelines in pharmaceutical factories may be classified as GC1 level due to the transport of toxic substances ； The material transfer pipelines in food factories may be classified as GC2 grade.

Industrial pipelines: Focus on delivery efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness, and must meet requirements regarding general strength, sealing performance, and ease of maintenance. For example, steel pipes and plastic pipes are commonly used in industrial pipelines. Process pipelines: Additional consideration must be given to process stability, medium corrosivity, and cleanliness. For example:

Industrial pipes: Welding or threaded connections are commonly used, suitable for large-diameter and high-pressure applications. Process pipelines: Emphasis is placed on sealing performance and hygiene standards; flanges and clamps are commonly used for connections, and some require internal polishing (such as in pharmaceutical pipelines).

Industrial pipelines: They must comply with general standards such as the \"Code for Construction and Acceptance of Industrial Metal Piping Projects\" (GB 50235), and feature a wide range of design pressures and temperatures. Power pipelines (such as steam pipelines) may need to be classified separately as GCD grade, requiring additional safety reviews.

Process pipelines: They must meet specific industry standards, such as the \"Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises\" (GB 50160) and the \"Classification of Hazards from Occupational Exposure to Toxic Substances\" (GB 5044) in the chemical industry. Process pipelines involving toxic or flammable media must be strictly regulated under GC1 level.