A successful process skid starts long before fabrication begins. Transforming a Piping & Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) into a fabrication-ready package requires careful coordination between equipment, piping, structures, supports, instrumentation and maintenance requirements.
At Destech Engineering, our Process Skid Design approach brings these engineering activities together—from preliminary layout and 3D modelling through detailed engineering, model reviews and fabrication drawings. Our objective is simple: develop process skids that are practical to fabricate, operate and maintain.
From P&ID to a Practical Skid Layout
The P&ID defines the process connections between equipment, piping, valves and instrumentation. Turning that information into a physical skid requires much more than placing components inside a predefined footprint.
Before developing the layout, our engineers review available project inputs such as:
P&IDs and equipment datasheets
Equipment GA and nozzle information
Piping specifications
Design and operating conditions
Instrument requirements
Client specifications and project requirements
Equipment is then positioned considering process flow, piping routes, accessibility, maintenance requirements, structural requirements and package interfaces.
A compact skid is important, but compactness should not compromise accessibility or maintainability.
Coordinated 3D Skid Design
3D modelling allows the complete package to be developed and reviewed before fabrication.
Destech uses tools including AutoCAD Plant 3D, Autodesk Inventor and Navisworks for skid design and model reviews.
A coordinated model helps identify issues such as:
Pipe-to-structure clashes
Inaccessible valves
Instrument interference
Insufficient flange access
Pipe-support conflicts
Equipment-maintenance obstructions
Destech incorporates 3D model reviews into its engineering workflow so that comments and design changes can be addressed before fabrication drawings are finalized.
Our completed Centrifugal Compressor Skid project demonstrates this approach: the skid was developed from the customer’s P&ID, reviewed in 3D and then progressed into detailed fabrication drawings.
Piping Engineering at the Core of the Skid
Piping is often one of the most challenging parts of a process skid because a large number of components must be integrated within a relatively small space.
Destech’s Piping Engineering capabilities include:
2D and 3D piping layouts
Equipment integration
Pipe-support design
Pipe stress analysis
Nozzle orientation
Piping isometrics
BOM preparation
Clash detection
IFC and as-built documentation
Our engineers develop piping with particular attention to valve accessibility, equipment maintenance, support requirements and fabrication practicality.
For compressor and rotating-equipment packages, piping layout and support locations also need careful consideration because of their interaction with equipment connections.
Piping, Supports and Structures Work Together
Process skid engineering cannot be divided into completely independent disciplines.
Consider a pipe support:
Piping Layout → Pipe Stress → Support Reactions → Structural Design → Skid Base
A change in piping can affect support loads, and those loads ultimately need to be transferred into the skid structure.
Destech’s Structural Engineering capabilities include skid bases, pipe supports, compressor supports, motor supports, lifting lugs, platforms and other structural components.
Having piping and structural engineering capabilities within the same skid-design workflow improves coordination between these critical interfaces.
Engineering With Fabrication in Mind
A design can be technically correct but still be difficult to fabricate.
During skid development, Destech considers practical requirements such as:
Welding accessibility
Piping spool arrangements
Flange access
Structural fabrication
Pipe-support fabrication
Equipment installation
Assembly and maintenance access
This fabrication-focused approach helps identify potential problems during engineering rather than on the fabrication floor.
Good engineering should work in the workshop—not only in the 3D model.
From Model to Fabrication-Ready Drawings
Once the design has been reviewed and approved, the coordinated model is converted into detailed engineering documentation.
Depending on project scope, Destech can provide:
General Arrangement drawings
Equipment location drawings
Piping isometrics
Pipe-support drawings
Equipment-support drawings
Foundation and loading data
Lifting drawings
Instrument location drawings
Tubing layouts
Bills of Materials
As-built drawings
The objective is to provide clear engineering information that enables the fabrication team to manufacture and assemble the package with minimal ambiguity.
Why Destech for Process Skid Design?
Destech brings together process skid design, piping engineering, structural engineering, 3D modelling, engineering analysis and fabrication detailing within a coordinated workflow.
Our skid engineering experience includes:
Gas compression skids
Refrigeration skids
BOG skids
Pump skids
Metering skids
Filter skids
Vapour recovery skids
Air compressor skids
Lube oil skids
Our compressor-package experience covers oil-flooded screw, centrifugal, reciprocating and diaphragm compressors.
Destech has engineered 70+ process skids, providing experience across a wide range of packaged-equipment applications.
You can explore examples on our Process Skid Project Portfolio.
From P&ID to Fabrication
Our process can be summarized as:
P&ID & Project Requirements → Preliminary Layout → 3D Modelling → Piping Engineering → Pipe Support & Stress Evaluation → Structural Engineering → 3D Model Review → Detailed Engineering → Fabrication Drawings
This multidisciplinary approach allows Destech to look at the complete skid as one engineered system, rather than treating piping, equipment and structures separately.
For more about the advantages of modular packages, read our article on The Importance of Modular Process Skid Design.
Looking for a Process Skid Engineering Partner?
Whether you require complete skid engineering or additional engineering support for an ongoing project, Destech can support your team from initial P&ID development through fabrication-ready documentation.
Explore our Process Skid Design Services, view our Completed Projects, or Contact Destech Engineering to discuss your next project.
Destech Engineering Pvt Ltd — Quality. Accuracy. On-Time Delivery.
