PDVSA

ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL

VOLUME 9–I

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA N° TITLE

K–301 PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION

1 DEC.99 REVISION GENERAL 7 Y.K. A.A. J.E.R.

0 AUG.94 FOR APPROVAL 7 L.T. E.J. A.N.

REV. DATE DESCRIPTION PAG. REV. APPD. APPD.

APPD.BY Alexis Arévalo DATE DEC.99 APPD.BY Jesús E. Rojas DATE DEC.99

E PDVSA, 1983 ESPECIALISTAS

 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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Indice
1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 CODES, STANDARDS AND PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 SELECTION AND SPECIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.2 Principles of Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.3 Units of Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.4 Selection of Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.5 General Design Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.6 Pressure Gauges Connected to Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.7 Pressure Transmitters and Transducers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.8 Pressure Gauges – Pneumatic Receiver Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.9 Pressure Controllers/Recorders – Field Mounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.10 Pressure Controllers/Recorders – Panel Mounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.11 Pressure Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5 MODIFICATIONS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS (EXCEPTIONS) OF
API 551 SECTION 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.2 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.3 Pressure Gauges and Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.4 Pressure Transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.5 Section 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6 PDVSA SPECIFICATION FORMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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1 SCOPE
This section covers PDVSA requirements for the design, specification, installation
and commissioning of pressure instrumentation. Guidelines of specification
K–300 shall also be applicable.
API–551 sections 4 and 6 have been accepted by PDVSA as its own standard for
pressure device installation, with the amendments indicated in this document.
The requirements of this specification are modifications, additions and/or
deletions (exceptions) to API 551 “Process Measurement Instrumentation”
sections 4 and 6. The section, paragraph, item, table and figure numbers and the
associated headings used in this specification correspond to the ones used in API
551, First edition, May. 1993. Since this specification does not take exception to
all the requirements in API 551 SECTIONS 4 AND 6, the
section/paragraph/item/table/figure numbers in this specification may not be
sequential. It’s clearly understood that section, paragraph, items, tables or figures
of API 551 sections 4 and 6 not mentioned in this specification have been adopted
without changes.

2 CODES, STANDARDS AND PRACTICES

PDVSA K–300 Introduction to PDVSA Instrumentation
PDVSA K–369 Instrumentation QA/QC
ISA S20 Specifications Forms for Process Measurement and
Control Instruments, Primary Elements and Control
Valves.
ASME B1.20.1 Pipe Threads, General Purpose (inch)
ASME B40.1 Gauge – Pressure Indicating Dial Type – Elastic
Element
ANSI

3 DEFINITIONS
All definitions are listed in the appendix of PDVSA standard K–300.

4 SELECTION AND SPECIFICATION

4.1 General
The selection and specification of all instruments for process applications, utilities,
etc. shall be done in accordance with the following procedure.
1. Define measurement options and decide upon the optimum for the
application.
 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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2. Select the manufacturers and types of instruments from the “List of Selected
Instrument Vendors” as prepared by PDVSA representative.
3. Select the accuracy and range of the instrument to suit the process
requirements.

4.2 Principles of Selection

The following items shall be defined for instrument selection:
1. Instrument purpose (Indication, control, transmitter, etc.).
2. Process conditions, such as fluid phase, viscosity, corrosiveness,
erosiveness, toxicity, temperature, pressure, etc., under normal and
abnormal conditions.
3. Environmental conditions, electrical area classification and mechanical
integrity (piping class, vibration, etc.).
4. Ranges and accuracy classes shall be selected according to the process
data sheets.
5. Calibration facilities, possible cross contamination of process fluids and the
need to wash before removal (purge, flush and disposal) shall be identified
as these will influence the instrument selection for the process condition
(normal, abnormal, start–up and shut–down).
6. Maintenance aspects such as access, ease of installation, calibration and
removal and remote of self–diagnostic features shall be considered.

4.3 Units of Measurement

The instrument ranges and scales shall be according to plant criteria unless
otherwise specified in the project specification.

4.4 Selection of Ranges

a. The selected range shall be such that the normal operating condition is
approximately at mid scale and that the maximum process operating
pressure does not exceed 80% of the range of the indicating instrument or
blind self acting regulator.
b. Instruments shall have over–range protection of 1.2 times the maximum
pressure to which they may be exposed.
c. Instruments exposed to vacuum shall have under–range protection to full
vacuum.

4.5 General Design Requirements

a. Instruments measuring absolute pressure shall be compensated for
barometric pressure changes.
 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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b. Instrument air supply and transmission connections shall be 1/4” N.P.T. The
electrical connection shall be 1/2” N.P.T.F.
c. Pressure indicating pointers shall be adjustable with a micrometer type
screw.
d. Panel mounted pressure gauges, indicating or recording instrument and
controller shall be flush or wall mounted.
e. Blind pressure controllers shall not be used.
f. Pressure gauges connected to process shall have a blow out disc in the
back.

4.6 Pressure Gauges Connected to Process

4.6.1 Pressure gauges shall conform to ASME/ANSI B 40–1.
4.6.2 The pressure gauge measuring element shall be bourdon, bellows or diaphragm
type depending upon the application and measuring range.
4.6.3 The element on furnace draft measurement service shall be slack diaphragm
type.1.
4.6.4 Pressure gauges shall not have suppressed ranges.

4.7 Pressure Transmitters and Transducers

4.7.1 They shall be solid state with analog or digital transmission. Pneumatic 3–15
P.S.I.G. output types shall be used where necessary and subject to PDVSA
approval.
4.7.2 Suppressed and/or elevated zero ranges shall be used to enhance process
measurement accuracy, readability and performance. All such ranges shall be
agreed with PDVSA.

4.8 Pressure Gauges – Pneumatic Receiver Type

4.8.1 Pressure gauges shall conform to ASME/ANSI B 40–1.
4.8.2 The pressure gauge measuring element shall be bourdon.
4.8.3 The case and pressure element for gauges located inside air–conditioned control
rooms shall be manufacturer’s standard.
4.8.4 On items such as positioners, electro–pneumatic transducers, air filter regulator
sets, the dial size shall be 1 1/2 inches minimum.

4.9 Pressure Controllers/Recorders – Field Mounted

4.9.1 The elements shall be bourdon, spiral, helix, bellows or diaphragm type
depending upon the service and process pressure range to be measured.
 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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4.10 Pressure Controllers/Recorders – Panel Mounted

4.10.1 These may be mounted on local panels or inside the control room. Refer to API
551 section 4, item 4.2.2 “Application Practice”.

4.10.2 Same as 4.9.

4.11 Pressure Switches

4.11.1 The pressure elements shall be bourdon, bellows or diaphragm type depending
upon the pressure range to be measured and the required switch differential.

4.11.2 The switches shall be micro type rated for 1 amp at 24 volts D.C. All other ratings
shall be subject to PDVSA approval.
4.11.3 The switch differential (fixed or adjustable) shall comply with all necessary
process operating conditions.

4.11.4 The switches shall be double pole double throw (D.P.D.T.) type with three wires
connected to three terminals in order to select either a normally open (N.0.) or
normally closed (N.C.) action.

4.11.5 The maximum number of independent switches actuated by one pressure

element shall be two. Exceptions shall be approved by PDVSA.

5 MODIFICATIONS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

(EXCEPTIONS) OF API 551 SECTION 4
5.1 Scope
Modify
5.1.1 This section covers practices for the installation of instruments and devices
commonly used to indicate, record and control pressure and differential pressure
normally encountered in petroleum and petrochemical processes. Any deviation
to this standard requires PDVSA approval. The instruments covered are pressure
gauges and switches, pressure transmitters and locally mounted controllers and
recorders.

5.2 General
Numeral 4.2.4: Local Indication
Delete: “locally mounted pressure controls” in the first paragraph.
 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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Numeral 4.2.5: Vibration

Add the following statement: Adequate support shall be provided for all devices
sharing a common process connection.

Numeral 4.2.8: Piping

Add the following statement to 4.2.8.1: Size and Design.
PDVSA requires, as a minimum, the use of 316 SS tubing for process
connections. Exceptions shall be approved by PDVSA.
Add the following statement to 4.2.8.2: Cleaning.
Pressure connections must include rodding facilities as required.

Numeral 4.2.10: Element and Socket (wetted) Materials

Add the following statement to 4.2.10: Element and Socket (wetted) Materials.
All wetted and pressure containing parts shall meet the piping class material
requirements.

5.3 Pressure Gauges and Switches

Numeral 4.3.3: Safety Devices
Replace: “Gauges are available with safety glass or plastic windows as an
additional safeguard” with “Gauge windows shall be double–strength
shatter–resistant safety glass in high–pressure service”.

Numeral 4.3.5: Case Material and Size

Replace: “Plastic case” with “phenol case”.
Addition: The case shall be weatherproof, resistant to any specified corrosive
environment (marine, H2S, HF, HCL, etc.).

5.4 Pressure Transmitters

Numeral 4.4.2: Installation Considerations
Replace: item c with “Placement of taps on the bottom of the line is not permitted”.

5.5 Section 6
Numeral 6.1: Scope
Addition: Any technique selected for protecting instruments from adverse
process and ambient environments shall be agreed with PDVSA.
 ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION PDVSA K–301

PDVSA
REVISION DATE

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTATION 1 DEC.99

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6 PDVSA SPECIFICATION FORMS

Refer to ISA S 20.
20.1b Receiver Instruments
20.40a Pressure Instruments
20.40b Pressure Instruments
20.41a Pressure Gages
20.41b Pressure Gages
20.42a Pressure Switches
20.42b Pressure Switches
20.51 Pressure Control Valves Pilots and Regulators

7 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

Refer to PDVSA Specification K–369.