Why Your Gas Panel Design Layout Matters in Northern California Refineries

A well-designed gas distribution system will reduce your operating costs by consistently and safely delivering the required gas(es) at the optimum pressure(s) and minimizing manual tasks associated with system and cylinder management. Of course, every component of a gas distribution system is critical to reliable and safe operations, but the gas panel design layout, in my opinion, has the greatest impact on operating efficiency. While helping Northern California refineries with gas distribution systems, I’ve found that efforts invested in determining the best gas panel design layout more than pays off—it results in easier operations and greater reliability.

To arrive at the best gas panel design layout, you’ll need to assess the specific requirements of the process, beginning with the type of gas, understand the point of use application, and evaluate the existing or planned infrastructure. 

Key Factors Influencing Gas Panel Design Layout

Gas panels can be underwhelmingly simple, extremely complex, and every variation between those extremes. Consider the range of factors that influence the gas panel layout design.

Number of Gases

Working with a single gas (such as nitrogen) to blanket tanks, requires a simpler design than delivering several different gases, such as hydrogen chloride or NOx for calibration at an analyzer station. The first may require a single pressure regulator to deliver nitrogen on-demand to an empty tank. The second involves a manifold connected to each of the different gas cylinders and controls to deliver each of the gases in sequence to the analyzer.

Delivery

If the application requires a continuous supply of gas, the panel will need to coordinate a smooth changeover from a primary to a secondary source when the primary source pressure equals the set changeover pressure. If the supply can be interrupted, panel design is much simpler. The physical space allocated for gas cylinders (one to many) also determines how frequently the cylinders need to be changed out. Gas panel design should help facilitate a smooth change-out process. 

Pressure

Gas panels transform input pressure into a consistent output pressure. Use pressure regulators with sufficient range to meet process specifications while minimizing the supply-pressure effect. To counter the problems of unexpected pressure increases in a system, vent and relief options should be included in the panel design. 

Safety

Industrial gases used in a refinery can be toxic, reactive, flammable, explosive, and cryogenic. It’s imperative that these gases are managed safely from source to point of use. Gas leakage can result in asphyxiation, suffocation or poisoning of personnel working in enclosed spaces. To avoid that risk, enclosed spaces that contain gas panels must have an operating exhaust system. Gas panels controlling the delivery of different gases need to ensure that incompatible gases are not mixed. If toxic calibration gases need to be purged from lines, purge time and volume need to be factored into the design.  

New or existing infrastructure

In Northern California refineries, new or upgraded gas panels most likely need to be retrofitted into existing space. That usually means you’re working within physical constraints. Ordering components from a catalog and fabricating the panel on-site might work, but you’re better off working with an experienced field engineer who can conduct an onsite consultation to evaluate the need and then develop the gas panel design layout optimized to work within existing constraints.

How To Achieve Good Gas Panel Design Layout

A properly designed gas panel factors in key requirements such as gases and their properties, maximum inlet pressure, outlet control range, and any infrastructure constraint. That information determines the type and diameter of tubing, location of pressure gauges, whether single- or dual-stage pressure regulators are used, and the need for filters or pressure relief valves to safely and reliably deliver gas while minimizing the supply-pressure effect to the point of use.   

While you might be tempted to make some preliminary calculations regarding the requirements for a new or updated gas distribution system and use that information to order components from a supplier’s catalog, you’ll come out ahead if you engage with a field engineer who specializes in gas panel design layouts for refineries. 

With years of experience in designing gas distribution systems and an in-depth understanding of how process parameters can influence panel design, they are able to quickly design a gas panel layout customized for the requirements of the process. Good gas panel design layout not only facilitates safe operations, but the layout of the panel also provides easy access to components to minimize downtime whenever maintenance may be required.

Swagelok Expertise For Northern California Refineries

Swagelok Northern California is conveniently located in the Bay Area and has decades of experience when it comes to assisting refineries with gas distribution systems. Our experienced field engineers can work with your engineering, operations, and HSE teams to design gas panels and distribution systems fine-tuned to the needs of each process. 

At Swagelok, we design gas distribution systems based on best practices. Our modular panels minimize threaded connections to reduce potential leak points and are intuitively labeled for safe, simple operations and maintenance. All gas distribution systems are backed by the Swagelok Limited Lifetime Warranty. 

To find out more about how Swagelok Northern California can help you determine the gas panel design layouts appropriate for your refinery processes by providing expert consultation, design, and fabrication, contact our team today by calling 510-933-6200.

About Malik Durojaiye | Field Engineer, Assembly Services

Malik Durojaiye began his Swagelok career in 2019 as a Custom Solutions Engineer in our Assembly Services group. Prior to Swagelok, Malik developed as a design engineer as well as a manufacturing engineer for 6 years serving Kentucky and California with Altec Industries; a leading provider of products and services to the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets.