Instrument Impulse Line: Most Common Questions and answers

• When accurate measurements of fluid pressure are required for a variety of industrial operations, instrument impulse lines are crucial. 
• These lines are the connection between the process and the instrument, and they ensure that the pressure is transmitted accurately while preventing any loss of precision.
• Instrument impulse lines are primarily used to shield the instrument from the harmful effects of the process fluid. 
• They serve as a barrier, allowing pressure to be precisely conveyed while keeping the fluid from coming into direct contact with the instrument. 
• The instrument’s lifespan and dependability are ensured by this separation, even in severe industrial situations.

1.What do instrumentation impulse lines do?

Impulse lines are pipes with a small bore that are utilized in process control systems. Their primary function is to transport the pressure signal from the process to the pressure sensor. They support maintaining precision and safety.

2.What does it mean to fill liquid into impulse lines?

When operating in low-temperature situations or when the process fluid is corrosive or viscous, impulse lines must be filled with liquid to prevent freezing and to keep it from directly reaching the instrument.

3.What should I keep in mind when installing impulse lines?

Avoiding low places where liquid can get stuck in gas or steam service as well as high points where gas can get trapped in liquid service are important factors to take into account. They should be set up to reduce mechanical stress as well.

4.How may gas pockets in liquid service impulse lines be prevented?

Installing the impulse lines with a constant upward gradient towards the instrument will help you prevent gas pockets.

5.What issues could arise from faulty installation of impulse lines?

Measurement faults brought on by gas or liquid pockets, variations in hydrostatic pressure, or uneven heat transmission may result from improper installation. Additionally, it can raise the chance of obstructions or harm.

6.What distinguishes wet leg from dry leg in impulse lines?

When using a differential pressure transmitter to measure the level in a pressurized tank, a wet leg is a reference leg that has been filled with liquid. An empty or gas-filled impulse line is referred to as a dry leg.

7.How should impulse lines be set up for a transmitter for differential pressure?

Safe calibration and maintenance can be performed on impulse lines with a manifold configuration consisting of three or five valves, but this does not interfere with the actual process.

8.What possible steam application-related problems might there be with impulse lines?

Condensed steam can build up in the impulse lines in steam applications, which may influence the pressure readings.

9.How do you make sure impulse lines in slurry applications stay clear?

The impulse line should be positioned at an angle in slurry applications so that gravity may bring the slurry back into the operation.

10.Can you describe the operation of an equalizing valve in terms of impulse lines?

A differential pressure transmitter’s high and low pressure sides can be balanced by using an equalizing valve. Calibrating the instrument and isolating it from the process in a safe manner are both helpful steps in this procedure.

11.Why is a manifold used in an impulse line configuration?

A manifold enables safe process fluid venting, pressure equalization for calibration, and instrument separation from the process.

12.Why do we occasionally add sealing liquid to impulse lines?

This is done in situations in which the process fluid has the potential to become solid or freeze. The instrument is shielded from these process fluids by the sealing liquid’s barrier.

13.What potential risks could result from impulse lines freezing, and how can they be avoided?

The impulse lines may become blocked during freezing, leading to unreliable readings. Trace heating and insulation are two methods that can be used to avoid this problem.

14.Why is routine draining of impulse lines necessary?

Draining is necessary to get rid of any condensed liquid or accumulated particles that can impact the precision of the measurements.

15.Why does a differential pressure transmitter setup in some systems utilize two impulse lines?

The transmitter can monitor the pressure differential between two sites in the process using two impulse lines, which is crucial for flow and level measurements.

16.How might air pockets impact impulse line readings?

Due to the fact that they disrupt the transmission of pressure, air pockets are a common source of false readings. By performing correct installation and routine maintenance, these can be prevented.

17.Can you describe the function of purging in impulse line maintenance?

In order to ensure accurate and reliable transfer of process pressure to the instrument, purging aids in the clearing of obstructions in the impulse lines.

18.What are the differences in the configuration of impulse piping for liquid, gas and steam services?

Impulse lines for liquid services should slope downward towards the process, those for gas services should slope upward towards the instrument, and those for steam services should utilize a condensate leg to avoid direct steam contact with the instrument.

Refer the below link for the detailed explanation for impulse piping for liquid, gas and steam services.

https://forumautomation.com/t/how-do-you-carry-out-piping-for-a-different-pressure-flow-transmitter-on-liquids-gas-and-steam-services-why/11189

19.What are the ideal methods for installing impulse lines?

These include picking the appropriate materials, taking into account the circumstances around the process, reducing the length and number of bends, and maintaining the suitable slope and insulation.

20.How is impulse line issues diagnosed?

Visual inspections for leaks or damage, pressure testing to look for obstructions, and monitoring for measurement variations that can point to impulse line problems are common techniques.

21.Why is it crucial for an impulse line to have a vent?

A vent enables the impulse line’s trapped air or gases to be discharged, ensuring precise pressure transmission.

22.Why specific materials are commonly utilized for impulse lines and what are those materials?

Specific materials are used due to their strength, durability, and resistance to rust and temperature changes. Carbon steel and stainless steel are common materials.

23.What function does a condensate pot serve in an impulse line setup?

In steam applications, condensate is gathered and removed with the help of a condensate pot to keep it out of the impulse line and away from the readings.

24.What does “hydrostatic head” in the context of impulse lines mean?

The pressure that a fluid exerts as a result of its height in the impulse line is known as hydrostatic head. The instrument’s reading may be impacted by this pressure.

25.Why might heat tracing an impulse line be required?

Heat tracing is utilized in order to keep the temperature of the process fluid in the impulse line at a level that is either higher than its freezing point or lower than its boiling point.

26.What aspects would you take into account while determining an impulse line’s diameter?

The kind and viscosity of the process fluid, the process conditions, the desired response time, and the possibility of blockages are all things to take into account.

27.What is the operation of a closed-loop impulse line system?

The impulse line’s process fluid is continually pumped back into the process in a closed-loop system. This helps to maintain precision as well as prevent obstructions from occurring.

28.Why are elbows and bends reduced in the design of impulse lines?

Bends and elbows might result in pressure reductions and raise the possibility of blockages. Additionally, they make it more challenging to maintain and clean the line.

29.How would you deal with an impulse line leak?

As quickly as possible, the line needs to be isolated, repaired, or replaced. To avoid inaccurate readings, the instrument should be taken out of operation if it cannot be fixed right away.

30.What function does the syphon provide in an impulse line system?

In order to protect an instrument from high-temperature steam and to avoid direct contact with corrosive or polluted fluids, a syphon acts as a barrier between the process fluid and the instrument.

31.What possible effects may impulse line length have on measurement accuracy?

Greater pressure drops and slower response times caused by longer impulse lines can impair measurement accuracy. Wherever possible, the line length should be as short as possible.

32.Why do impulse lines occasionally employ quick-connect fittings?

The impulse line can be quickly installed and removed for upkeep or repair using quick-connect fittings. Comparing them to threaded connections, they also lower the chance of leaks.

33.How can you be certain that the impulse line is correctly positioned in relation to the instrument and process connections?

Careful measuring and fitting during installation assure proper alignment. Misalignment can stress the line, which might result in leaks or other damage.

34.Why is impulse line stress analysis occasionally used?

The failure of the impulse line could be caused by problems with vibration, thermal expansion, or pressure-induced stress, which can be found by stress analysis.

35.Can you describe what a “wet leg” in an impulse line setup means?

In order to prevent the process fluid from coming into contact with the instrument, an impulse line is said to have a wet leg, which is filled with liquid (often water or a sealing liquid). This is frequently employed in applications involving corrosive or high-temperature industrial fluids.

36.What steps would you take to prevent vibrations in impulse lines?

The impulse line can be stabilized with supports to reduce vibration, and resonance with process vibrations should be avoided. In some circumstances, pulsation dampeners may also be utilized.

37.How do you determine an impulse line’s pressure drop?

Using the principles of fluid dynamics and taking into consideration factors such the length and diameter of the line, the flow rate, and the viscosity of the process fluid, it is feasible to calculate the pressure drop.

38.What could cause an impulse line to need insulation?

Insulation aids in maintaining the fluid’s temperature in the line, avoiding problems like freezing or condensation that might distort the results.

39.What safety precautions should you take when using impulse lines?

The line must be isolated from the process during maintenance, trapped pressure must be properly vented, and the process fluid must be handled correctly to prevent exposure to hazardous materials.

40.What is the operation of a double block and bleed configuration in impulse lines?

An instrument can be safely removed from service using two isolation valves in a double block and bleed configuration, and trapped pressure can be safely released using a bleed valve.

41.Can you describe how a pressure snubber could be used with an impulse line?

Utilizing a pressure snubber can help prevent instrument damage and maintain consistent readings by reducing pressure surges in the impulse line.

42.Why should the impulse line be checked for leaks?

Leaks can result in incorrect readings and possibly expose workers to dangerous process fluids. The maintenance of impulse lines should include frequent leak checks.

43.How can contamination of the process fluid in impulse lines be avoided?

The use of suitable materials and sealing fluid, routine line cleaning and purging, and adequate design to prevent the buildup of particles can all help prevent contamination.

44.How can the effects of temperature variations on impulse line readings be reduced?

Insulating the impulse line, applying heat tracing when necessary, and adjusting for temperature effects in the calibration of the instrument can all help to reduce the effects of temperature.

45.What are some typical problems with impulse lines, and how may they be found?

Blockages, leaks, vibration damage, and temperature effects are typical problems. Visual inspection, pressure testing, vibration analysis, and monitoring of the instrument data for deviations can all be used to find them.