How to Design Rubber Lined Piping for Slurry Applications

Simple Tips to Eliminate Rubber Lined Pipe Design Rework and Improve Project Schedules

Steven Fuller – Aug 2023

Here we reveal some of the tips and tricks that we have learned from our experience and expertise in rubber lining. You will discover how to design rubber lined pipe and fittings and avoid rework by designing your systems right the first time. By following these tips and tricks, you will be able to save time and money when designing rubber lined piping. Further to this article, our rubber lining design handbook can provide you with the basic tools you need.

Elbows

Elbows are the most critical components in rubber lined piping, as they are subject to the highest wear and stress. Therefore, it is important to choose the right elbow geometry and lining thickness for the slurry application. We recommend using the pipe diameter (1D) for tangents on elbows, as this provides the most flexibility for installation. However, in special circumstances, longer tangents can be used on one side of the elbow, up to a maximum of 24 inches for 8-inch and smaller diameter pipes, 48 inches for 8 to 16-inch diameter pipes, 118 inches for 18 to 24-inch diameter pipes, and 236 inches for pipes larger than 24 inches in diameter. The lining thickness for elbows should match the pipe thickness. However, we can add an extra layer of rubber on the outside radius of the elbow, providing extra durability to the highest wear area.

Straight Spools

 
Straight spools are relatively easy to design and fabricate, as they only require standard pipe dimensions and possibly flanges. However, there are some limitations on the length of straight spools depending on the pipe size and lining thickness. For pipes up to 4 inches in diameter, the maximum length of a straight spool is 120 inches; for pipes from 4 1/2 to 20 inches in diameter, the maximum length is 240 inches; and for pipes larger than 20 inches in diameter, the maximum length is 480 inches (240 inches preferred).

Branched Spools

 
Branched spools are used when standard fittings are not available or suitable for the slurry application. They are custom-made by welding two or more pipes together at an angle. The design of branched spools should follow the same criteria as elbows and straight spools, with some additional considerations. The branch should have a maximum distance from the end of the pipe equal to twice the pipe diameter (up to 20 inches) or three times the pipe diameter (over 20 inches).

We hope this has given you some useful information on how to design rubber lined piping for slurry applications. If you want to learn more about our rubber lined pipe and fittings, please visit our catalog where you can find more details and specifications. You can also contact us anytime if you have any questions or inquiries about rubber lined piping solutions. We look forward to hearing from you soon!