NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)

DOCUMENT CODE NO. OF PAGES: 11

PLAN/PRJ/SUB UNIT PHASE DISCIPLANE DOCUMENT TYPE SERIAL NO. REV. NO. DATE
NIOEC 000 EG ME SP 4105 A1 MARCH, 2007

NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL REFINING & DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL ENGINEERING
& CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

NIOEC SPECIFICATION
FOR

TOWER INTERNALS AND VESSEL TRAYS

FIRST EDITION

MARCH, 2007

THIS SPECIFICATION IS THE PROPERTY OF NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. IT IS CONFIDENTIAL AND ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED TO THE OWNER. NEITHER WHOLE NOR ANY PART OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE DISCLOSED TO ANY THIRD PARTY,
REPRODUCTED, STORED IN ANY RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN
CONSENT OF THE NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
REVISION INDEX
REV. REV. REV. REV.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE

1 26 51 76
2 27 52 77
3 X 28 53 78
4 X 29 54 79
5 X 30 55 80
6 X 31 56 81
7 X 32 57 82
8 X 33 58 83
9 X 34 59 84
10 X 35 60 85
11 X 36 61 86
12 X 37 62 87
13 X 38 63 88
14 X 39 64 89
15 X 40 65 90
16 X 41 66 91
17 X 42 67 92
18 X 43 68 93
19 X 44 69 94
20 X 45 70 95
21 X 46 71 96
22 X 47 72 97
23 48 73 98
24 49 74 99
25 50 75 100

NOTES:
1) THIS SHEET IS A RECORD OF ALL REVISIONS TO THIS SPECIFICATION.
2) REMARKS RELATED TO EACH REVISION SHOW A BRIEF DESCRIPTION. THESE REMARKS SHALL BE
INTERPRETED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REVISED TEXT MARKED BY REVISION NUMBERS.
3) WHEN APPROVED EACH REVISION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS A PART OF THE ORIGINAL
DOCUMENT.
4) NUMBER OF PAGES EXCLUDES THIS SHEET AND THE COVER SHEET.

2
1 MARCH, 2007 M.R.FARZAM - M.R.FARZAM M.A.A.SAJEDI
0 JULY, 2005 M.A.MIRAHADI M.H.ZAKER M.R.FARZAM M.A.A.SAJEDI
REV. DATE PREPARED CHECKED APPROVED AUTHORIZED
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
CONTENTS: PAGE NO.

1. SCOPE 2

2. REFERENCES 2

3. UNITS 3

4. DEFINITIONS & TERMINOLOGY 3

5. PROCESS DESIGN 3

6. MECHANICAL DESIGN 3

7. MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION 5

8. CONSTRUCTION 7

9. INSPECTION & TEST 8

10. PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT 9

11. CERTIFICATES 9

12. INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED 9

APPENDIX I 11

1
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
1. SCOPE

1.1 The intent of this Specification is to define qualitatively the basis of design of all types of
vessel trays with the exception of extractor trays. Together with tray Data Sheets standard
drawings, requisition and purchase order, it shall indicate the requirements to be met by
the Vendor in the design, fabrication, inspection, testing and the supply.

1.2 It shall be the responsibility of the Vendor to point out in his quotation any exceptions
that are being taken to the requirements of this Specification.

1.3 Order of Precedence

In the event of a conflict among the various documents, the order of precedence shall be
as follows:
- The purchase order (including attachments) and variations thereon.
- The data sheets and drawings.
- This Specification.
If conflict is discovered between the items listed, it shall be the responsibility of the
Vendor to call attention to the conflict.

2. REFERENCES

Throughout this Specification the following dated and undated standards/codes are referred
to. These referenced documents shall, to the extent specified herein, form a part of this
Specification.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
supplements and amendments) applies. For dated references, the edition cited applies. The
applicability of changes in dated references that occur after the cited date, shall mutually be
agreed upon by NIOEC and the Vendor/Contractor.

ASTM (AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS)

ASME (AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS)

ASME Code Section VIII Div. 1” ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Edition 2002.

NIOEC-SP (NIOEC SPECIFICATIONS)

NIOEC-SP-00-10 “NIOEC Specification for Units”

NIOEC-SP-00-50 “NIOEC Specification for Design Criteria”

NIOEC-SD (NIOEC STANDARD DRAWINGS)

NIOEC-SD-4156-A3 Tower Attachments and Tolerances of Non Movable Parts

NIOEC-SD-4157-A3 Tolerances & Specifications for “Cartridge” Trays

NIOEC-SD-4158-A3 Tower Attachments

2
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)

UBC (UNIFORM BUILDING CODE)

Edition 1997

3. UNITS

International system of units (SI) shall be used in accordance with NIOEC-SP-00-10, unless
otherwise specified.

4. DEFINITIONS & TERMINOLOGY

4.1 The Employer means: The National Iranian Oil Engineering & Construction Company.
(NIOEC)

4.2 “Purchaser” means: National Iranian Oil Engineering & Construction Company in the
case where this Specification is part of a direct purchase order by NIOEC and
Contractor, where this Specification is part of Contract Documents.

4.3 “Vendor” means: The manufacturer and/or fabricator from which the equipment is to be
purchased.

4.4 “Erector” means: The Company which is responsible for the erection of the vessels at
site.

4.5 “Contractor” means: The person, firm, company or consortium whose tender has been
accepted by the Employer or legal successors in title to such person.

5. PROCESS DESIGN

5.1 Process data shall be supplied by the Purchaser as specified in Data Sheets. A blanked
one is attached in Appendix I.

6. MECHANICAL DESIGN

6.1 Wind design shall be considered as per U.B.C volume 2 division III.

6.2 Design Conditions

6.2.1 The minimum thickness of removable tray plates shall be 2mm for S.S and 4mm for
C.S. Any corrosion allowance specified for the tray parts under consideration shall
be added to this thickness. Active devices may be less than 2mm thick for process
reasons.

6.2.2 Each tray shall be designed for an upward pressure differential as specified in the
Data Sheet.

6.2.3 Valve type proprietary tray designs shall have been tested by Fractionation Research
Incorporated and shall be of a type approved by the Purchaser. Trays with uncapped
perforated areas are not acceptable.

3
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
6.2.4 Thickness

a. Minimum thickness for 13% Cr. Monel and 18-8 stainless steel assemblies shall
be as follows:

Tray and related components 2mm

Support ring, down comer bars

and parts welded to vessel 6mm when alloy,10mm when carbon steel

Other parts 3mm

b. Minimum thickness for carbon steel assemblies shall be as follows:

Tray and related components 4mm

Support rings, Down comer bar

and Parts welded to vessel 10mm

Other parts 4mm

c. The minimum size of bolting shall be 3/8” or ISO M-10.

6.2.5 Corrosion Allowance

a. No corrosion allowance is required for Monel or Stainless Steel assemblies.

b. The corrosion allowance for all surfaces of floor beams trusses or other support
members of Carbon Steel assemblies shall be 1mm minimum.

6.2.6 Loading conditions

a. The design live load for tray assemblies at operating temperature shall be based
on a liquid height of 50 mm above weirs at a density of 800 Kg per cubic meter,
with a minimum of 100Kg per square meter. For areas under down comers design
live load shall be 300Kg per square meter.

b. For maintenance purposes, all assemblies shall be designed for a concentrated

load of 135 Kg at any point.

6.2.7 Design of trays must ensure that the setting can not be loosen by vibration.

6.3 Deflection & Stresses

6.3.1 Deflection of assemblies under design live loading shall be limited to 2mm, in
vessels 1800 mm in diameter and under, and 4mm in vessels over 1800mm in
diameter.

6.3.2 For large diameter vessels, an initial camber shall be made in the principal support
members, of the assemblies to compensate for the deflection due to dead load.

4
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
6.3.3 Allowable stress
The allowable stresses of all materials shall be as given in ASME Sec.VIII, Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code.

6.3.4 Temperature
The structural design temperature shall be 343ºC (650oF) unless otherwise specified.

6.4 Type of Trays

6.4.1 All trays shall be of the removable plate type unless otherwise indicated. The
general design, number, type and spacing shall be as established on the individual
vessel drawings, Data Sheets, requisition or purchase order.

6.4.2 For all, except cartridge trays (diameters less than 70mm), each removable section
shall be dimensioned to permit passage through vessel manholes and shall be
designed to permit assembly and dismantling from the upper side of the tray insofar
as structural contingencies permit. In large diameter columns lattice type beams
may be used.

6.5 Weirs
Outlet weirs are normally fixed. When adjustable weirs are required they shall be
specified as ±x% of the nominal height. On multipass trays the only requirements is
levelness. Height is a design factor.

6.6 Total Hole Area of Sieve Trays

The Open or Hole area specified does not include an allowance for any holes which might
be blocked by support members. The Vendor must make certain that the unobstructed
hole area is as specified.

6.7 Man ways

Provide one(1) man way in single cross-flow trays, two (2) man ways in double cross-
flow trays, removable from above and below. Man ways shall be as close to tray
centerline as possible and as nearly aligned as practicable.

6.7.1 Where no other means of access is provided, trays shall be provided with removable
man ways which forms a component part of the trays. All man ways shall be in line
vertically.

6.8 Beams
Major beams (except down comers) shall be positively supported at each end; all main
supporting members are secured by means of bolts slotted holes on one end for thermal
expansion. Minor beams (beam lets) shall be simply supported at the ends or restrained
upon request. Integrally flanged panels shall have free ends.

7. MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION

7.1 All materials shall conform to those specified on the respective Purchaser’s drawings,
Data Sheet, requisition or purchase order. Equivalent Specifications may be allowed
having modified chemical analysis to allow cold forming and machining.

7.2 Where tray material is specified to be stainless steel, tray plate and valve parts shall be of
the same material.

5
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)

7.3 Materials shall conform to the following Specifications:

7.3.1 13% Cr Assemblies

a. All sheet and plates material shall be in accordance with ASTM Specification
A-240 type 410S with 0.08% maximum carbon content.

b. Support rings and down comer bars and other parts welded to the vessel shall be
carbon steel in accordance with the same material as the shell unless specified to
be alloy, when they shall be in accordance with 7.3.l.a.

c. All bolting material shall be 13 Cr type 410 stainless steel. (ASTM A 193 Gr. B6
for Bolts, ASTM A 194 Gr. B6 for Nuts.)

7.3.2 Monel Assemblies

a. All sheet and plate material shall be hot rolled annealed and pickled wieldable
Monel in accordance with ASTM B-127.

b. Support rings and down comer bars and other parts welded to the vessel shall be
in accordance with 7.3.2.a.
c. All bolting material shall be Monel.

7.3.3 18 Cr-8Ni Stainless Steel Assemblies

a. All sheet and plate material shall be in accordance with ASTM Specification
A 240 type 304.

b. Support rings and down comer bars and other parts welded to the vessel shall be
carbon steel in accordance with ASTM A 283-C unless specified to be alloy,
when they shall be in accordance with 7.3.3.a.

c. All bolting material shall be 18Cr-8Ni type 304(A 193- Gr. B8) and Nuts Shall be
A 194 Gr.B8.

7.3.4 Carbon Steel Assemblies

a. All plates and bar material shall be in accordance with ASTM Specification
A-283 grade C and SA 285-C or better and killed material. Tray shall be totally
free of mill scale.

b. All bolting material shall be carbon steel except for man ways. Bolting for man
ways shall be 13%Cr type 410 stainless steel, except when otherwise specified.

7.3.5 Gasket and Packing

All Gaskets, Pickings and Washers shall be asbestos free due to the environmental
regulations. Gasket tape shall have a minimum of 1.5 mm thickness. Braided rope
shall be used where gasketing tape is not suitable.

6
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)

7.3.5.1 Down comers

Gaskets and packing may be used to install down comers on all tray types,
but shall not be used in areas under down comers, except for towers of
900mm in diameter or smaller. Overlapping joints for down comers and all
openinings for support beams passing through down comers shall be seals so
that no vapor bypassing will occur.

7.3.5.2 Jet, sieve, or valve trays

Gaskets and packing shall not be used between tray decks and support rings
or beams when installing jet, sieve, or valve trays.

7.4 The Vendor may propose the use of alternate material. Such alternates shall be clearly
indicated in his proposal giving the official material designation or the chemical and
physical properties for such materials having only a trade name of a suppliers designation.
Alternate does not imply equivalent as per 7.1.

7.5 Vendor must obtain written consent of Purchaser for using equivalent and/or alternate
material.

8. CONSTRUCTION

8.1 Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for trays covered by this Specification are listed in drawings
NIOEC-SD-00-4156-A3, NIOEC-SD-00-4157-A3 & NIOEC-SD-00-4158-A3. All
fabricating operations must be sufficiently checked and controlled so that these tolerances
will not be exceeded.

8.2 Details

8.2.1 Support rings, down comer or up comer bars and beam support brackets shall be
designed by tray Vendor.

8.2.2 Within a specified number of weeks after order date, tray Vendor shall furnish a
complete instruction drawing showing any other welded-in supports or parts
supplied by vessel fabricator to enable vessel fabricator to supply and install these
parts.

8.2.3 Closing of construction joints on proprietary trays is optional with the Vendor.

8.2.4 Fabricated parts shall be smooth, true, clean and free of grease and dents.

8.2.5 Main beams shall be parallel to liquid flow

Only lattice type beams (trusses) for stepped trays are permitted to be transversal
liquid flow. Solid supported members transversal to liquid flow shall have height
not greater than 20% of tray spacing.
Wall to wall major beams (crossing down comer areas) are acceptable if more
economical.

8.2.6 All trays are equipped with one man way top and bottom removable for each liquid
flow as per 6.7 except where the free space between tray and beams above are less

7
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
than 400mm. In these cases man ways are to be provided on both sides of the
beams.
8.2.7 Welding

a. All welding shall be done by a Metal-Arc Process

b. Welding electrodes of a composition similar to tray material shall be used, except

austenitic electrodes of higher chromium and Nickel (E-309 or E-310) may be
used for 13 Cr and 18/8 Stainless Steel.

8.2.8 Finishing

a. All tray parts shall be free of burrs, weld spatters and other foreign materials
particularly in location which might prevent intimate metal to metal fit.. A thin
film of oil, as a consequence of the manufacturing process, is acceptable.

b. Other treatment to be applied to the trays shall be specifically called for on the
purchase order.

9. INSPECTION & TEST

9.1 General

9.1.1 The materials, fabrication and testing of trays shall be subject to inspection by the
Purchaser and/or his designated representative.

9.1.2 The Purchaser’s inspectors shall have free entry to the Vendor’s shop at all times
where and while work is being performed. The Vendor shall afford the inspectors
all reasonable facilities to satisfy them that the materials are being furnished in
accordance with the Specifications and drawings.

9.1.3 The Vendor shall notify the Purchaser sufficiently in advance of any fabricating
operations to permit the Purchaser’s inspector to arrive at the Vendor’s shop.

9.2 Trial Assembly & Fit up

One tray of each size and type with its accessories shall be assembled and carefully
checked at the place of fabrication before shipment.
In the event that inspection is waived, the trial assembly and check made by the Vendor
shall be acceptable to the Purchaser and it does not release Vendor from his
responsibility. The maximum tolerance for all shop trial assemblies with respect to the
flat plane shall be plus or minus 3 mm.

9.3 Leakage Tests

All draw-off pans shall be tested for leakage after installation in the erected vessel. Tests
shall be made with drain holes plugged.
Water levels shall be at overflow weir height or chimney height, as applicable, leakage, as
permitted, shall be uniformly distributed across the area’s under test. The level drop shall
not exceed 5mm per minute or as specified in the following table whichever is less:

LEAKAGE RATE m³/h

LEAKAGE
SERVICE PER SQ. METER OF
CLASS
AREA UNDER TEST
1 All towers except those covered below in classes 2 or 3 0.13

8
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
2 Vacuum towers, except as in class 3 0.06
3 Pans immediately above a packed fractionation zone 0.02

9.3.1 Leakage tests shall not be performed on jet, sieve, valve, cartridge or pedestal trays.

9.3.2 Leakage tests and washing of austenitic stainless steel components shall be
conducted with water having less than 40 ppm chloride ion content. Components
shall be dried immediately after testing, by blowing with air.

10. PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT

10.1 General

10.1.1 All parts are to be properly packed in wooden boxes or crates. Carbon steel trays
are normally packed in crates lines with waterproof paper.

10.1.2 For the following components parts an excess percentage of each size and type
shall be furnished to cover loss, waste & shrinkage for valves, bolts, nuts, clamps,
wedges, washers, etc. minimum 10% but not less than 4 pieces and for jointing
materials (gaskets, pickings) minimum 25%.

10.2 Painting and Marking

10.2.1 All parts shall be marked with the part number shown on the drawings. Painting is
an acceptable method of marking.

10.2.2 The purchase order number and vessel number shall be prominently marked on
the side of the shipping containers as shipped.

10.3 Release for Shipment

No material shall be released for shipment until it has been approved by the Purchaser’s
inspectors.

10.4 Handling and Storage

Tower packing shall be packaged to affect protection against corrosion or degradation
during shipping and storage at site, as follows:

a) Metal pickings (Generally) shall be packaged in sealed plastic bags.

b) Plastic pickings shall be packaged in opaque bags.

11. CERTIFICATES

Certificates giving the physical and chemical properties of all materials shall be furnished for
all tower internals.

12. INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED

12.1 The Purchaser will furnish to the Vendor arrangement drawings showing the trays or
tray Data Sheets. Also provided will be up-to –date vessel drawings, showing final
internal dimensions, nozzles and manhole positions and sizes.

9
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)
12.2 The Vendor shall prepare shop working drawings as required and copies shall be
submitted to the Purchaser for information, record purposes and/or approval as called
for in the purchase order.
The Vendor shall design all tray support items welded to the column shell and the
column manufacturer will supply and weld the items to the shell according to the
drawings and tolerances shown on drawings specified under 7-1.

12.3 Drawings
Drawings shall be furnished and submitted as follows:
a) Layout drawings
b) Assembly drawings
c) Vessel attachment drawings. These drawings are to be complete so that, tower
rings, angles, beam supports, bolting bars, etc., may be located correctly by the
vessel fabricator. The drawings of these supports are also to be complete with
fabrication tolerances. Where requested the north arrow shall be included on
orientation.

12.4 Drawings indicating tray parts with identification number and material shall be
supplied.

12.5 Tray Vendor shall provide full instructions for installation of trays.

12.6 Installation Instructions

Complete installation instructions shall be furnished for field or shop assembly of
trays and tray parts, shed rows, collector pans or other internal parts supplied. These
instructions shall include means to prevent excessive leakage around internal
peripheries and at the ends of beams, trusses, etc.

12.7 Tray Vendor shall complete the attached Data Sheet (Appendix I).

10
 MARCH, 2007 NIOEC-SP-41-05(1)

“APPENDIX I”
UNIT NAME: DATA SHEET NIOEC No.: REV.
NIOEC J/V PROJ. No.: UNIT No.
OF TRAY FOR PROJ.No.:
INTERNAL LOADINGS J/V SPEC. No.: SH OF

1 GENERAL DATA M/R

2 P.O. No.
3 TOWER ITEM
4 SERVICE
5 TRAYS NUMBERED FORM TOP/BOTTOM TOP/BOTTOM TOP/BOTTOM
6 NUMBER OF TRAYS/SECTION
7
8 PROCESS DATA
9 LOADING AT TRAY No.
10 FLUID
11 VAPOR DESIGN RATE kg/h
12 DENSITY kg/m3
13 MOL WEIGHT
14 COMPR.FACTOR
15 LIQUID DESIGN RATE kg/h
16 DENSITY kg/m3
17 MOL WEIGHT
18 VISCOSITY mPa.s
19 SURF TENSION Mn/m
20 OPERATING TEMPERATURE
21 VAPOR °C
22 LIQUID °C
23 OPERATING PRESSURE barG
24 SYSTEM (FOAM) FACTOR
25 MAX.FLOODING FACTOR %
26 MAX. Δp/TRAY mmHg
27 MIN.DOWNC RESIDENGE TIME SEC.
28 MIN./MAX. RATE (1) %
29 MECHANICAL DATA
30 TRAY DIAMETER mm
31 TRAY TYPE
32 TRAY SPACING mm
33 NUMBER PASSES PREFERRED(2)
34 MANHOLE ID(3) (IN)(mm)
35 TRAY INSTALLED FROM ‫ٱ‬TOP ‫ٱ‬BTM ‫ٱ‬TOP ‫ٱ‬BTM ‫ٱ‬TOP ‫ٱ‬BTM
36 VESSEL DESIGN TEMP °C
37 MATERIALS
38 TRAY DECK .MATL/C.A. mm / / /
39 DOWNCOMER .MATL/C.A. mm / / /
40 VALVES .MATL/C.A. mm / / /
41 HOLD DOWNS .MATL/C.A. mm / / /
42 NUTS&BOLTS .MATL/C.A. mm / / /
43 SUPPORT RINGS .MATL/C.A. mm / / /
44 TRAY DECK THICKNESS mm /
45 SUPPORT RING WIDTH/THICK mm / /
46 DOWNCOMER BOLT BAR THICK mm /
47
48 NOTE (1) MIN. AND MAX. RATES ARE GIVEN AS PERCENT OF DESIGN RATES.
49 THE TRAY PERFORMANCE SHALL BE GUARANTEED WITHIN THE SPECIFIED RANGE (AT CONSTANT L/V). IF
50 NOT SPECIFIED. THE OPERATION AT 60% OF THE DESIGN LOADS SHALL BE GUARANTEED.
51 (2) THE SPECIFIED No. PASSES IS NOT MANDATORY.
52 TRAY MANUFACTURER CAN CONSIDER ALTERNATE SOLUTION IF MORE ATTRACTIVE.
53 (3) SMALLEST ID THROUGH WHICH TRAY PARTS MUST PASS.

11