Importance of Low Point Drain

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IMPORTANCE OF LOW POINT DRAINS AND THEIR LOCATIONS

IN CHEMICAL PROCESS PLANTS
Various equipments, tanks and pipelines used in chemical process industries needs
to be drained during their operations (start-up, shut-down or continuous). This
article emphasizes on the use of such low point drains and their suitable locations
in plants to be decided by the designer, for smoother and safe plant operations.
Suitable location of drains is explained for process lines, strainers, steam lines,
pumps, tanks, heat exchangers etc. This article also discusses the limitations to the
use of drains in plants and illustrates the cases where drain is not preferred.
Design of Chemical Process plants needs several considerations. A proper design should
include considerations for start-up and shut-down operations, continuous production as
well as some emergency operations. Some of the factors that are considered during
plant design include provision for low point drains, high point vents, by-pass lines,
suitable design margins, pressure / vacuum safety systems etc.
Each of the above factors has specific importance from process point of view .This
article mainly emphasizes on the need for provision of low point drains in chemical
process plants and their proper locations for smoother and safe operations.
What is a Drain?
A drain is a nozzle or a piece of pipe (depending on the location) which is used to

remove any settlements in a pipeline or in equipment used in process industries. From
this definition it is clear that the drain must be located at the lowest point in the system
under consideration. In general a drain can be classified as “process drain“ and “simply
drain“.
The term “process drain“ usually refers to the fluid which is from the process and which
is drained during plant operation. In chemical industries this include the chemicals or
intermediate products from operation .However these exclude fluids from plant start-up
or shut down operations .It is this drain which is then taken to the waste treatment
section as per pollution norms.
For queries related to this paper, feel free to contact us: article@processenggservices.com
- © 2005-2009 Process Engineering Services
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The term “simply drain“ usually refers to the fluid which is drained to the gutter .This
include the fluids like water , steam , condensate ,caustic solution etc. which are used
for plant start-up operations like Hydro-testing , Water trials , Steam trials etc.
Importance of Low Point Drains during plant Erection and Start-up
Several bad practices are followed during plant erection; as a result of these practices,
pipelines may contain scales, mud, solid, corrosion products, nut-bolts, welding debris,
clothes etc. A good erection practice should be isolating the part of pipeline/equipment
under construction with blinds and then cleaning thoroughly the line /equipment after
entire construction is over. The above mentioned remnants may ultimately result in
chocking of pipelines/equipments or carry over to the inlet of pumps, filter, strainers,
heat exchangers etc. The presence of this debris may also cause plugging of filters and
pump strainers. A suitably located drain eliminates these problems and thus ensures
trouble free operations.
Suitable location of drains
The term suitable location implies locating drain at a point which is technically and
economically feasible, easily accessible and which minimizes the above problems.
The suitable location may differ from equipment to equipment depending on the
geometry.
The suitable location of drain in process lines and equipments is described in detail as
follows:
1) Process Lines: The process lines imply the lines in process industries which carry
the fluids from one source to another source.
Figure: 1 shows gravity flow from source 1 to source 2 with a provision for drain.
S1
S2
Figure 1
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Other lines include the lowest point on the reflux lines to Distillation Column.
Figure: 2 indicate the drain for reflux loop to the Column.
CWR
CSW CSW
Figure 2
2) Strainers: Usually strainers are provided with two drains:

- Drain on line entering the filter.
This is used to drain the line prior to its entry in the filter.
- Drain of the filter.
This is used to remove the materials collected in the filter housing.
Figure: 3 indicates the two drains for strainers

Figure 3
3) Pumps: The inlet line to the pump suction should contain drain located preferably
before the reducer because:
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a) Prior to the reducer, due to larger line size, velocity is less which favors settling
of mud or scales. On the other hand after the reducer, flow area available is less
resulting in high velocity which may lead to carry over of mud or scales to pump.
b) Centrifugal pump suction line demands space of minimum 3D to be left for any
fitting.
Figure: 4 shows drain prior to reducer
Figure 4
4) Steam Lines: Provision of drains for steam lines is most important as compared to
others. The need for drain on steam line is different at different stages of operation.
During plant start-up operations drain is required to remove mud or scales as similar to
explained above .During continuous and shut down operations drain is required to
remove the condensate. The accumulation of condensate in steam line gives rise to
what is called as “steam tacking”. Hence drain is a must to avoid this effect.
5) Plate Heat Exchangers (PHE): PHE are most commonly used in chemical process
industries due to their several advantages over shell and tube heat exchanger. Drains
are provided on the inlet line of the fluids on both the sides of PHE i.e. on the heating
fluid inlet line as well as on the cooling fluid inlet line. Figure: 5 illustrates the location of
drain. The absence of this drain causes deposition of mud or scales on both the sides of
plates thereby reducing the heat transfer area. It is also possible that the debris may
damage the gasket thereby leading to fluid leakage from the PHE.
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PF Out
CWR
PF In
CWS
Figure 5
6) Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger: These are used for heating/cooling as well as
condensation of process fluids. Besides, these are available either in horizontal or
vertical setup, depending on the process need.
 Vertical Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger: These heat exchangers are mounted
vertically. In such cases there should be a provision for drain on tube side as well
as shell side. Tube side drain help to remove any settlements on tube side. The
provision of drain on shell side is optional because it is also possible
to locate drain on the lowest point of return line of shell side fluid.
Figure: 6 illustrates two possibilities of locating drain on shell side of the vertical shell
and tube exchanger.
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CFR CFR
HFS HFS
CFS CFS
HFR
Figure 6
 Horizontal Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger: These heat exchangers are mounted
horizontally and are provided with drain usually on tube side only.
Figure: 7 illustrates the location of drain on shell side of the horizontal shell and tube
exchanger.
VAP
CWR
CON CWS
Figure 7
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7) Valves : Valves in processes industries include valves as a part of pipefitting ( which

are usually operated manually) and automatic control valves that are used to control
flow, pressure etc .The provision for drain may be optional for the former type of valves,
but is must for the later type. For a clear fluid it is the drain which decides the extent of
variation between the inherent and installed characteristics of control valves.
Any accumulation of scales or mud on the on the control valve reduces its available flow
area and the % opening thus disturbing the entire loop where the valve is functioning
.The provision of drain reduces these problems . Figure: 8 illustrates the drain for
automatic control valve.
Signal from process
Figure 8
8) Tanks/Vessels: These are mostly used for fluid storage. Depending upon their shape
we have different locations for drain. Some of the common types used in process
industries are:
- Vertical Tanks with Flat Sloping Bottom: As per the design considerations these tanks
are provided with sloping bottom and the surface is flat in nature. The drain nozzle is
located at the lowest side so that any impurities which settle in the tank are easily
removed from the drain.
Figure: 9 indicates the drain for tank with flat sloping bottom.
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Ground Level
Figure 9
It should be noted that if the tank has pump suction at its bottom, it
should be above the drain nozzle.
- Vertical Tanks with Conical or Dished Bottom: In both these cases the drain nozzle is at
the center at lowest point. The nozzle is provided with a blind flange and it further
extends to pump suction.
Figure: 10 indicates the two types of tank bottoms with the corresponding locations for
drain.
To Pump To Pump
B/F Suction Suction
Figure: 10
In each of these the selection of a B/F or a valve for drain depends mainly on line size
and also on the nature of fluid, frequency of draining etc.
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Exceptions to the use of drains:
From the above discussion one should not conclude that in a process plant every line or
an equipment/tank is provided with drain. Some process lines exist which do not have
drains. Here are two cases which illustrates this point.
Case 1): A process requirement dictates that the product from process 1 needs to be
stored in an intermediate tank and then to be pumped to process2 for its further
processing to produce the required capacity product.
In this case neither the tank nor the pipe will have provision for drain because of the
following reasons:
- The process fluid to be handled requires that it should not come in contact with
air or similar environment which may change the composition of the fluid.
- The process fluid may have excise regulations e.g. Ethanol
- The process fluid may be toxic, flammable or hazardous.
Figure: 11 shows the situation where drain is not provided.
Process Fluid from Process 1
Intermediate Tank
Process Fluid to Process2
No drain
Figure :11
Case2): A process requirement dictates that the vapors from the top of Distillation
Column are condensed and stored in tanks. In this case also the lines will be deprived of
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drains because since the fluid is in vapor form, the chances of any impurities or debris to
settle in tank is remote.
Notations and their meanings used for figures:
- S1 : Source 1
- S2 : Source 2
- CWS : Cooling Water Supply
- CWR : Cooling Water Return
- PF : Process Fluid
- CFS : Cold Fluid Supply
- CFR : Cold Fluid Return
- HFS : Hot Fluid Supply
- HFR : Hot Fluid Return
- VAP : Vapors
- CON : Condensate
- B/F : Blind Flange
Conclusion:
With the above illustrations the article thus explains the need and importance of low
point drains in process plants with their suitable locations .also it explains that provision
for drain is not always must for the equipments and process lines .it is the plant designer
who has to take proper decision for the provision or elimination of drains depending on
the process requirement for a smoother and safer plant operation.
First published at “Industry Watch CHEMICAL WORLD: Process Plant & Machinery” in February 2005.

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1

IMPORTANCE OF LOW POINT DRAINS AND THEIR LOCATIONS

A drain is a nozzle or a piece of pipe (depending on the location) which is used to

Importance of Low Point Drains during plant Erection and Start-up

Suitable location of drains

2) Strainers: Usually strainers are provided with two drains:

Figure: 3 indicates the two drains for strainers

Figure: 4 shows drain prior to reducer

7) Valves : Valves in processes industries include valves as a part of pipefitting ( which

Signal from process

Exceptions to the use of drains:

Process Fluid to Process2

Notations and their meanings used for figures:

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