API and ASME standards
I don't know where in this small world of ours you are located but in the United States, all states except for two have adopted ASME as code or law. This means that the facilities located in these states must comply with what is in those ASME documents. These documents describe how a pressure vessel is to be constructed and what must be done to that vessel to prevent a catastrophic failure caused by over pressure. They also tell you the types of devices that are acceptable to use to accomplish this.
Being that ASME dictates what your facility must comply with, API documents tell you how to achieve compliance. The three most common of those documents are API RP520 Parts 1 and 2 (RP stands for Recommended Practices) and API Standard 521. Note that these API documents are not law but only packages of standards and recommendations (by the way, "RP" or "standard" makes no difference, they both carry the same weight as being nothing more than standards). So these (API) documents give you all the details you need (well, almost) to comply with the law (ASME). In other words, API provides those "rules of thumb" you are looking for.
Be aware that many of these "rules of thumb" may not be good for every relief device you have. For instance, the effective coefficient of discharge for a gas/vapor/steam relief valve is given as 0.975 as a "rule of thumb" but Farris PSVs use 0.953! So you can use API documents as a first approximation but must eventually check your design against the true values for the device you eventually purchase.
OK, even though the API documents are "just" standards and recommended practices, in the United States they are basically considered to be "good engineering practice" and you would be very foolish not to follow them as a minimum. You can be more conservative than what these documents say but you should not be any less.
What is api standard
API standards refers to a repertoire of technical specifications and recommended practices concerning various aspects of the up stream and down stream operations of the oil and natural gas industries. All these standards are produced and disseminated by the American Petroleum Institute, an umbrella body that aims for the oil and natural gas industries in the United States.
API standards include design, material, equipment, safety, and protection of environment standards. They are commonly employed in the industry to guarantee the reliability, efficiency and durability of plants and equipment. Some common areas covered by API standards include:Some common areas covered by API standards include:
Drilling and Production: API standards include provisions that cover a wide range of activities encompassing drilling, wells construction and produ ↑ They feature areas of well design, casing and tubing, and cementing among others.
Refining: API standards include guidelines for the petroleum refining processes; for instance, design, inspection, and maintenance of equipments. They useful in supporting security measures and effectiveness of refining processes.
Pipeline Transportation: API standards are widely applied to create pipelines for the transportation of oil and natural gas with no exemptions for constructing functions. They are as pipeline integrity management and leak detection.
Storage Tanks: API standards specify the parameters for fabrication, erection and testing of the tanks with reference to storage of crude oil, petroleum products and other liquids.
Valves and Fittings: Valve standards describe characteristics and identification for valves, fittings and flanges which are applied to oil and gas industry.
Safety and Environmental Protection: API standards cover issues of safety, environmental concerns, and how to manage crisis situations so as to reduce hazards that might arise from oil and gas activities.
Measurement and Calibration: This standard deals with aspects of measurement and calibration that are critical to measuring the oil and gas quantities with the use of metering systems, provers, and others.
Quality Management: There are standards developed for the use of API in the quality management systems that assist organizations in the oil and gas sector embrace quality assurance and quality control systems.
Given standards are do not limited by the API country and are in use in USA as well as in the other parts of the world. These guidelines are usually developed by international regulatory bodies and organizations, or are used by reference by them, or companies across the world. Following the API standards assists achievement of safety, reliability and standard operating procedures in the oil and natural gas industry.
Api standards full form
API stands for American Petroleum Institute, APIS full form is American Petroleum Institute standards. API standards are technical specifications which contain general guidelines, recommended practices and data as well as specifications for materials, equipment and services used within the oil and gas industry. They include the following; They are set and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry trade organization for the oil and natural gas industry.
API standards are adopted by many businesses in oil and gas industry encompassing safety and integrity of corporate operations. It is also applied by government institutions in the context of the regulation of the oil and gas sector.
API standards cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Drilling and well completion
- Production operations
- Refining and petrochemical operations
- Transportation and storage of oil and gas products
- Environmental protection
The specifications within an API are agreed on by stakeholders across the entire upstream through downstream spectrum of the oil and gas industry. This makes the set standard to be achievable and relevant to the current industry trend.
The presented API standards may be changed periodically in accordance with the modern technologies and protocols which is used in Industries. API also release recommended practices (RP) and technical reports (TR) that contains other information regarding certain areas.
API standards have probably been one of the most essential factors in the oil and gas industry. They contribute to risk and operational management, safeguarding, environmental conservation, and incubation of innovations.
Here are some examples of API standards:
- API 650: Welded Steel Storage Tank for Oil.
- API 1104: Welding Procedure Specified
- API 570 Piping Inspection Code
- API 14E: Introducing new technical standard: specification for subsurface safety valves for oil and gas wells
- API 686: Tank Venting: Above Ground Storage Tank.
API standards are employed by global organisations to guarantee safety and reliability of their operations especially in the oil and gas industry.
Difference between API & ASME Standards
The oil and gas industry makes extensive use of API as well as the ASME standards. But there are some main dissimilarities of the two.
API standards are work products of the American Petroleum Institute (API) a trade association formed from all segments of the industry. API standards are directions as well as suggestions mainly for the design, installation, function, and also the upkeep of equipment and also establishing.
ASME standards are codes and specifications for the mechanical engineering profession drawn and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) – an organization comprising mechanical engineers and technicians. ASME standards refer to codes and or rules that gives special provisions for the design, fabrication, examination and pressurerating of mechanical parts.
Key differences between API and ASME standards:
- Purpose: API standards are recommendations and guidelines, while ASME standards are codes and rules. This means that API standards are less specific and allow for more flexibility, while ASME standards are more specific and require strict compliance.
- Scope: API standards cover a wide range of topics, including drilling, production, refining, transportation, and storage. ASME standards focus on the design, construction, and testing of mechanical equipment.
- Enforcement: API standards are not enforceable by law, while ASME standards are often enforceable by law or by government regulations.
Examples of API standards:
- API 650: Welded Steel Tanks for the Storage of Petroleum Liquid
- API 1104: Welding Procedure Specifications
- API 570: Piping Inspection Code
- API 14E: RETURN LINE SUBSURFACE SAFETY VALVES FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS
- API 686 standard provides the requirements for tank venting of the aboveground storage tanks.
Examples of ASME standards:
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC): This includes the requirement for the design, construction, inspection, and testing of boilers and pressure vessels.
- ASME B31. 3: This code gives guidelines and standards for the design, fabrication, installation and validation of process piping systems.
- ASME B31. 8: This code spells down the standards on how the piping systems for the transmission and distribution of gas are to be designed, constructed, tested and installed.
- ASME B16. 5: This code sets the standard for specification of flanges, flanged fittings, valves, gaskets for pressure piping systems.
- ASME VIII: This code contains guideline for design construction, inspection and testing of unfired pressure vessels.
As a rule, the API standards are intended to include specifications and recommendations for the design, creation, functioning, and service of attachments and facilities. ASME standards serve as guidelines for offering detailed provisions to the design, construction, and inspection and testing of the mechanical equipment.
API and ASME standards should be considered to provide more safety and reliability in the oil and gas operations.
API standards and guidelines
API standards and guidelines are a collection of the documents that have been prepared by the American Petroleum Institute in an effort to give out the principles and standards of the engineering designs, the construction and functioning of equipment and structures in the oil and natural gas industry.
API standards are still among the most used in the industries particularly the oil and gas industries to enhance safety and reliability. They are also deployed by agencies of government in their bid to control the oil and gas sector.
API standards cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Drilling and well completion
- Production operations
- Refining and petrochemical operations
- Transportation and storage of oil and gas products
- Environmental protection
API standards are set forth as a result of a body of work that is generated with input from all factions of the global oil and natural gas industry. It also guarantees that the standards remain realistic and are likely to correspond to efficient practice in the industry.
Just like any other industry, API has standards, and these are adjusted to ensure they are in tandem with the existing technology and industry reforms. While general voluntary consensus standards, expressed as specifications and guidelines (Specs & Guides), API also issue recommended practices (RP) and technical reports (TR) to extend the basics on certain topics.
Examples of API standards and guidelines:
- API 650: Weld tanks for oil storage
- WPS 1104: Welding Procedure Specifications
- API 570 :Piping Installation Inspection code
- API 14E: Subsurface Specifics of Safety Valves for Oil and Gas Wells
- API 686: Guidelines for Tank Venting for Above Ground Storage Tanks
- API RP 571: Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining and Petrochemical Industries
- API RP 2003: Restrained Corrosion in Petroleum Production Equipment and Facilities
- API TR 5402: Recommended Practice for the Inspection and Maintenance of Cathodic Protection Systems
On a general level API standards and guidelines play the key role in the oil and gas industry. They aid in providing safety assurances for the operations, safeguarding the environment and encouraging for innovative solutions.
What are asme standards
ASME or American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards are the reference technical requirements, rules and recommendations adopted by ASME – an organization whose major goal is promotion of professional engineering practice, technological and scientific field. Many industries are represented in the documentation of ASME norms, but mechanical industry is the most famous one. These standards are well-recognised and implemented in many sectors to promote safety, quality as well as reliability in engineering practice and goods. Here are some key areas and types of ASME standards:Here are some key areas and types of ASME standards:
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC): ASME BPVC is one of the oldest and is the most accepted code in the industry. It has code for materials, fabrication, erection, inspection and testing of boilers, pressure vessels and other pressure equipments. This code is useful in cases where high pressure and high temperature equipment are used for instance generation of power, petrochemicals, and manufacturing.
Piping and Pipeline Codes: ASME has codes and standards dealing with the design, fabrication, examination and testing of power piping, piping systems and pipelines. Such codes are the B31 series which deals with a variety of piping systems including the B31. 1 for power piping and B31. 3 for process piping.
Nuclear Codes and Standards: By now, ASME has set norms particular to nuclear engineering and the construction of nuclear power plant structures, design, and testing provisions. These standards are important to determine the safety of the nuclear power facilities.
Welding and Brazing Codes: ASME standard specify procedures, requirements and inspection for welding and brazing in fabrication and construction of pressure equipment. Divisions of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code are available for welding and brazing.
Mechanical Design Codes: ASME codes also pertain to the mechanical design, design standards on different parts and structures like shafts, gears and pressure vessels.
Safety Standards: ASME sets standards in safety across business sectors, sectors and uses including industrial robots or elevators, cranes, and other mechanical and electric apparatus.
Materials and Material Specifications: ASME standards of material relate to measurements of the characteristics of materials that are used in engineering exercises. These standards assist to check the quality and performance of the used material.
Bioprocessing Equipment Standards: Currently, based on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, ASME has issued some typical standards for bioprocessing equipment: The standard for the design, fabrication and testing of equipment and system used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
ASME standards are widely adopted in many countries and industries, and compliance with these standards is often required by regulatory bodies and codes of practice. Adhering to ASME standards helps engineers and organizations ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of their products and processes.