Problems with the foam station in the methanol plant!
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I would like to ask everyone: must the fire protection piping network for the foam station in a methanol plant be installed underground? Can we use above-ground pipe racks? Why?
I think there are two reasons: 1. Foam pipes are generally larger than DN200, and using them above the ground requires too much space on the pipe racks； 2. The cost of anti-corrosion measures on the ground is high.
Thank you, but I think the cost of anti-corrosion measures would be high if we use above-ground pipe racks. Our foam pipes are DN250 in size. What I’m asking is whether there are any standards or regulations that require pipes to be installed above ground or below ground? Or anything is fine?
Sure, part of the design at our company involves using pipe racks
We’re not familiar with the regulations; we’ve just never seen foam pipes used in utility tunnels.
Why don’t you let the fire water flow on the ground as well?
Generally, the design for methanol units is done underground! Other units also have those built on the ground, and such structures are usually modified by the owners themselves; design firms generally do not recommend building on the ground!
The anti-corrosion treatment for buried pipes is generally sufficient for a lifetime, while buried pipes above ground need to be treated against corrosion at least once every 2 years
We also operate underground; investing in above-ground utility tunnels would require more money, so it’s probably not the underground approach that is used.
It seems there’s no such regulation, but it’s also quite troublesome to prevent freezing in winter when using pipe racks.