2018 AutoCAD Plant 3D - Can't connect pipes to pump properly?

[Anonymous]

I'm new to Plant 3D, but I have used AutoCAD and SolidWorks for 14 years. However, I'm having some difficulty completing my model, which is simple since it only has one pump and one vessel. This is actually for my work, so I hope someone can assist me as soon as possible. 

As I mentioned in the subject line, I cannot connect the pipes properly to the pump in both the inlet and outlet. In addition. I need to add and modify an existing nozzle on the vessel. Please some help me and it would be idea if someone could remotely logon to my computer and help me out.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Brian Cooke 

[Anonymous]

Anyone have time today to assist me in this dilemma?

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Brian Cooke

[TomislavGolubovic]

It sounds like the pump nozzles aren't the same spec/rating that you need to connect your pipe to.

Which Pipe Spec are you using for the Pipe?

To add and edit nozzles on a vessel, you can select the vessel, then right click, and select Add Nozzle. There is also a nozzle glyph when you select the vessel. So there are a couple of ways to do it. This video will also explain it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3aJGwa-vzY

[Anonymous]

Hi Tomislav,

Thank you for the reply!

Before posting, I did check to make sure the specifications of the nozzles and the pipe are correct, which they are. The pipe for the suction end is 3" 150# S.S. and the discharge end is 2" 150# S.S. Now, I did make sure the nozzles were correct on the pump to match the pipe on each end. 

View the attachment, which has two print screens showing the pump and the message I get when I try to connect the pipe to the pump or even route the pipe from the pump. I don't understand why there wouldn't be SS150 spec flange for the pump. This is one of the most common flanges in the industry. I believe the pump may be the issue because the nozzles do not look correct. However, when I checked the specifications on the nozzles to the pump, they both were correct, but I don't understand why the discharge nozzle looks larger than the suction nozzle. It should be the other way around.

In addition, thank you for posting the link to the video for creating a new nozzle on the vessel, however, I watched that video previous to my posting and I don't understand why it does not give me the option to create a new nozzle. Attached is a print screen of the vessel with the existing nozzle. Is it possible to just move it down to the pipe?

Regards,

Brian Cooke 

[daniel.klingspor]

Brian,

In your first screen shot the error message is showing that the nozzle you are trying to connect to is a 300# flange.  The spec you are using is a 150#.  You need to either edit the nozzle on the pump to make it a 150# flange or you need to change your spec to a 300# one or you can add a 300# flange to your current spec. 

To edit the nozzle on the tank you need to hold down the CTRL button and select the nozzle you would like to edit.  There will be an icon that looks like a pencil, select this icon and you can edit the position of the nozzle through a separate dialog box.

[Anonymous]

Daniel,

Thank you for the reply!

The problem is, everything is already set at 150#, both the pipe and the nozzles. See attached print screens, which show the pump nozzles rated at 150#.

In addition, I have tried everything with the vessel, including your recommendation and I am unable to edit or add a nozzle. 

I don't know what else to do,  I just need someone to look at the model and see if they can figure it out. 

Thanks,

Brian Cooke

[daniel.klingspor]

Attach the model and the spec you are using and we can take a look.

[Anonymous]

Daniel,

Do you want to view the model remotely, so that way we can look at it together?

Regards,

Brian Cooke

[Anonymous]

Daniel,

I figured out why I couldn't add the nozzle to the vessel. After I modified the vessel to add the pad underneath it, I had to convert the equipment again to label it as a vessel. Once I did that, I can add the nozzle, but I tried to add the nozzle and I was not successful.

I had converted the equipment previously, but I guess it didn't save properly when I created the model last week.

See attached and revised model, thanks!

Regards,

Brian Cooke

[daniel.klingspor]

Ok, so I looked at the latest .DWG you sent,

I am not sure what happened with your equipment but something got messed up on your pump and scrubber.

When editing the nozzles on the pump it became apparent that the properties given were incorrect and it was almost as if the two nozzles had their properties flip flopped.  The discharge nozzle, "N2" had the properties given as a 2" 300# RF.  But that is not what is actually shown or what Plant is expecting when making the connection.  What is actually there is a 3" 150# flange.  At the pump suction nozzle "N1" it is showing a 3" 150#, but what is actually there and what Plant is expecting to connect to is a 2" 300# flange.

I was able to resolve the issue by selecting the correct size and flange rating in the properties of the pump.  I was able to route pipe successfully.

As for the scrubber, again I am not sure what happened but something got messed up.  I am also unable to add a nozzle or modify the one that is currently placed on the tank. 

My recommendation is to create a new piece of equipment and delete the current scrubber.

[daniel.klingspor]

Ok,

After re-reading your post now I think I know what happened.

Did you make a 3D Solid and convert it to equipment?  Or did you explode the created equipment and then use the convert equipment command?

That is likely where the problem started.  You should create the vessel using the "Create" button on the Equipment tab on the ribbon.  And do not explode equipment.  This will allow you to add and modify nozzles much more easily.

[Anonymous]

Daniel,

Let me first start with the vessel. Yes, I exploded the vessel and then converted the equipment, so of course, it was the rookie mistake.

As for the pump, I changed the pump's suction and discharge nozzles specifications to 150# on both sides, so why would it not save properly and why did it revert back to 300# on the discharge side?

I'm still confused because the discharge should be 2" 150# S.S. and the suction should be 3" 150# S.S. However when you look at the pump in the model, the discharge looks like the 3" nozzle and the suction looks like the 2" nozzle. When I select the nozzle and click on the pencil, it shows that the discharge is in fact 2" 150# and the suction is 3" 150#. What in the world is going on and how did you fix it?

When I go to the properties of the pump, it shows that the sizes are correct, but the pressure for the discharge keep reverting back to 300#.

Thanks,

Brian Cooke

[daniel.klingspor · Accepted solution]

Brian,

For the original problem of it showing the wrong nozzles I am not sure what happened.  Plant certainly has its quirks. 

What I think you are having difficulty with is that when you are selecting your nozzle size and rating there is an additional step that you are not completing. 

Please see attached screenshot. 

After selecting the size and rating from the drop down menus (blue circle), you must make a selection for the facing of the nozzle (red circle).  If you do not complete that selection the nozzle will revert back to your previous configuration.

[TomislavGolubovic]

Agreed. Once you select the size and rating etc, you have to tell it which end condition the nozzle will have. That's probably where you're going wrong and its not saving what changes you make.

[Anonymous]

When you change the nozzle properties are you selecting it from the box as per above, (this needs doing even if there is only one option).

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

Sorry for the delayed response, I had to travel to a clients facility, which meant this project had to be placed on hold. Good news, I figured out why I was having problems with the pump. There was a dimension that I entered incorrectly and it simply threw everything off. Now that I entered in the correct dimension, everything looks and works great for the pump and pipes. Now my last issue is this the nozzle. For some reason, I can't move the existing nozzle down to the 6" pipe. Also, when I try to create a new nozzle, I go through the steps, but I' doing something wrong because the nozzle never appears.

Please help when you have a moment today!

Thank you in advance, you guys have been a big help.

Regards,

Brian Cooke