MAWP, Design Pressure,
MOP, MAOP..!
MAWP is the maximum pressure at which the vessel or
equipment is allowed to function at a specific
temperature. Based on UG-98 on the ASME Section VIII Div. 1,
the vessel MAWP is the lowest part MAWP, and it is in
topmost point of the vessel.
ASME B31.8, the pipeline Code for gas transmission and
distribution systems, identifies and defines five pressure
designations in order to calculate a design pressure rather
than a pressure design wall thickness as is done in ASME
B31.4 [6]
Ø Design pressure
Ø Internal design pressure
Ø Maximum operating pressure (MOP)
Ø Maximum actual operating pressure
Ø Maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP)
Design Pressure (DP):
The design pressure is the highest level of pressure
it should be exposed to in normal operating conditions. The
design pressure establishes the highest acceptable pressure
of a pressurized system, and it is generally lower than or
equal to the MAWP of the system’s vessel. The worst
possible temperature and pressure case the fluid can exert
on the vessel/equipment
Maximum operating pressure (MOP):
Maximum operating pressure is defined as the maximum
pressure at which a pipeline or segment of a pipeline/Vessel
may be normally operated.
Maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP):
A maximum pressure that allowable by any equipment and
device to operate satisfactory without affecting it
performance.
The relation of above is visualized below
The PSV set pressure is based on design pressure, and it can
be equal to the MAWP but not higher. The MAWP will be
changing with time because of corrosion and vessel fatigue,
Design pressure depends on the kind of system.
The design pressure is provided by the purchaser (Owner
/User) but the MAWP shall be provided by the manufacturer
and must be indicated in the design document and pressure
vessel nameplate
An example of MAWP calculation is as below,
The design pressure is the maximum expected pressure and
normally determined by purchase process engineer. Now, the
manufacturer will use following formula to calculate wall
thickness
T=PR/(SE-.6P)
Ø S=allowable stress at the design temperature for selected
material
Ø E is joint efficiency and refers to the level of
radiography and can be considered 1 for full radiograph
If you put these values in above formula and got this 0.6 inch
wall thickness
Now go to the market, is it any plate material with 0.6 inch?
No the nearest one that you can find is the plate with 0.75
inch
Let us reverse above formula. You have the wall thickness,
and you want to calculate P.
P=SEt/(R+.6t)
Put the same value in the formula except for design pressure
and calculate P. This P will be your MAWP. So for above
example, the MAWP will be 248 PSI
The hydrostatic testing also will be based on MAWP and not
design pressure.
Deciphering the Differences: MAOP and
MAWP in Pipeline Operations
By Bryant Jerome
In the complex world of pipeline engineering, understanding, and managing
operational pressure limits is essential to ensuring safety and reliability.
Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) and Maximum Allowable
Working Pressure (MAWP) are two fundamental metrics that engineers often
use to describe the pressure limits a pipeline can operate under. Despite
their similarity, these terms serve distinct functions and are based on
different regulatory standards and design considerations. Here, we’ll break
down the differences between MAOP and MAWP and explore their
implications in pipeline operations.
Understanding MAOP and MAWP
MAOP refers to the maximum pressure at which a pipeline system is
authorized to operate under normal conditions. Set by regulatory bodies, this
limit is determined through a combination of engineering calculations, pipe
properties (such as outer diameter or wall thickness), historical data, and
field-testing results (e.g., hydrostatic testing). In the U.S., MAOP is regulated
by standards such as 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195, and ASME B31.4 and B31.8.
MAOP is calculated for pipeline segments to prevent excessive pressure,
considering potential stress on materials, corrosion, and fatigue.
On the other hand, MAWP is the highest pressure that a single component
or system can withstand before yielding or failing. This value is determined
by the design of the weakest component, such as valves, fittings, or any
segment of the pipeline system. Typically, MAWP takes into account the
material strength, design factors, temperature, and wall thickness, adhering
to codes like ASME Section VIII for pressure vessels.
Often there is a confusion between MAWP and Design pressure. MAWP is the
highest level of pressure a component could be exposed to; the design
pressure on the other hand is the highest level of pressure it should be
exposed to in normal operating conditions.
Key Differences Between MAOP and MAWP
1. Calculation Basis:
o MAOP is calculated based on pipeline operational history and safety
margins, often verified through hydrostatic tests that simulate
maximum operating pressures under controlled conditions.
o MAWP is derived from the physical and structural limits of pipeline
components, calculated without the operational safety factors that
MAOP considers.
2. Purpose and Application:
o MAOP is focused on maintaining safe and continuous operations and is
typically used in contexts involving long-distance transmission
pipelines.
o MAWP is more about the integrity of individual pipeline components
under extreme conditions, such as storage tanks and certain
processing units, which may experience occasional surges or variations
in pressure.
3. Regulatory Standards:
o For MAOP, pipeline operators must adhere to stringent guidelines set
forth by federal agencies, such as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the U.S. MAOP regulations enforce
routine assessments and recalculations to ensure ongoing pipeline
integrity and safety compliance.
o MAWP falls under pressure vessel codes and standards such as ASME,
with a focus on ensuring each component withstands its design
pressure.
Safety Implications of MAOP and MAWP
The distinction between MAOP and MAWP is not merely academic; it has
serious safety implications in pipeline operations. Exceeding the MAOP can
lead to leaks, ruptures, or catastrophic failures, posing threats to both the
environment and public safety. As such, many operators utilize Technical
Toolboxes’ Hydrotest PowerTool to validate and recertify MAOP for existing
pipelines, ensuring that pressure limits remain compliant with safety
standards.
Conversely, MAWP breaches typically signal a need for component
replacement or redesign, as exceeding this limit compromises the structure’s
integrity. Engineers must pay close attention to MAWP in areas where
pipelines may interface with equipment that handles fluctuating pressures,
like pumping stations or valve assemblies.
Operational Design Considerations
From a design perspective, both MAOP and MAWP must align with the
intended use and operational environment of the pipeline system. Factors
influencing these pressure limits and how they change over time include
material selection, environmental conditions, corrosion mitigation, and
compliance with codes like ASME B31.8 and API standards.
Technical Toolboxes’ Advanced Calculations tools provide engineers with
critical functionalities to analyze how changes in pipeline design and
environment influence MAOP and MAWP, through stress analysis, corrosion
impact assessments, and batch scenario simulations designed to optimize
these parameters. This allows engineers to determine optimal design
pressure ratings with ease, accommodating both MAOP and MAWP
requirements effectively.
Regulatory and Compliance Aspects
Both MAOP and MAWP are subject to regular audits and testing. Tools like
Technical Toolboxes’ Pipeline Toolbox (PLTB) help streamline compliance by
automating regulatory checks and storing essential asset data for ongoing
MAOP and MAWP verification. Features like automatic reporting and record-
keeping simplify the documentation process, ensuring that every pipeline
segment meets federal standards for pressure management.
Conclusion
MAOP and MAWP, while similar in their pressure-related functions, serve
distinct roles in pipeline operations. MAOP focuses on the safe operational
pressure for pipelines, whereas MAWP is concerned with the structural limits
of individual components. Both are essential in maintaining pipeline integrity
and preventing failures that could lead to environmental and operational
hazards. By leveraging the advanced tools offered by Technical Toolboxes,
operators can confidently manage these critical pressure limits, ensuring
safety and compliance in their ongoing operations.
