While this website is dedicated to specific topics and information, and presented in a way that appeals specifically to Piping Designers, it's not going to answer all questions. This is true even in the office when asking questions - you need a lot of sources of information to round out your knowledge. There are a number of piping design books out there, probably too many, and it's difficult to know which are worth your time the most.
I want you to keep learning, so here is a list of books I personally found to be the MOST useful to my career and I know you will too! Every designer should have some valuable resources on his or her desk, even if you just want to look smart, these books achieve that too! (But don't just look smart, be smart!)
These five books are absolute must haves, and the amount of value I have obtained from them is off the charts. These books cover piping design basics, process engineering, process design, mechanical design, and industrial plant design. If you're ready for the next level, here is your book list!
1. The Piping Guide - by Dennis J Whistance and David R Sherwood:
A staple for most designers and often a book used in technology schools for students in piping drafting programs. This book covers all the basics in a nice and easy to follow format. While it isn't all inclusive, it's a valuable resource well worth the investment. Nearly every designer I know has this book. You can buy a copy here.
A staple for most designers and often a book used in technology schools for students in piping drafting programs. This book covers all the basics in a nice and easy to follow format. While it isn't all inclusive, it's a valuable resource well worth the investment. Nearly every designer I know has this book. You can buy a copy here.
2. Surface Production Operations - Volume 1 by Maurice Stewart:
If you are like me, you want to know how everything works. The Surface Production Operations books are in my opinion the best books out there. The amount of knowledge I have gained from this series is huge, and these books help you become a top designer. You have to remember that a designer is more than someone that knows the CAD tools, but someone that knows how things work, how to create layouts based on that knowledge, and how to design for constructability, operability, and safety. Bridge that gap by reading these books. Get volume 1 here.
3. Surface Production Operations - Volume 2 by Maurice Stewart: Get your copy here.
4. Surface Production Operations - Volume 3 by Maurice Stewart: Get your copy here.
5. Process Plant Layout and Piping Design by Ed Bausbacher and Roger Hunt:
This book is great for learning more about what kinds of facilities are built and focuses on the equipment you'll find. Learning about the common equipment types and how they pertain to facility layouts is a critical skill for a designer. That is where this book shines. You can get it here.