Pipelines are important investment for infrastructure, buildings, and oil & gas industry. Simulation based design are taking critical role in the design, installation, and final delivery of the piping system. Key design inputs are provided by the Hydraulic analysis, surge analysis and pipe stress analysis ensure that piping system design can withstand operating loads and occasional loads. The objective of pipe stress analysis is to determine the stresses, deflection, and forces in pipelines in the design stage as well as under operating conditions. Based on the analysis results, various design modifications like the type of supports i.e., flexible connectors, rigid anchors, number of supports, and spring hangers are suggested. The analysis is conducted to come up with innovative design solutions that meet international code compliances like ASME.
Before proceeding with the installation at site, these studies help Building Contractors, Consultants, OEM’s, and Architects in validating their system design at the design stage and prevent future failures like pipe blasts, pipe breakage etc.
The design of structural steel supports for various piping systems is done using FEM. These supports are designed using NBCC & ASCE.
Many industries like Oil & Gas, Refineries, Chemical, Power etc uses Reciprocating Pumps and Compressors which comes with its own pros & cons. Several sources such as these Reciprocating Pumps and Compressors generate vibrations which can propagate along the pipes and excite other structures. These vibrations can cause two main problems, namely mechanical fatigue, and acoustical noises. The design approach in conjunction with pulsation simulation is required to couple analysis of piping system to ensure that the piping will have adequate supports and clamps to maintain mechanical natural frequency of major acoustical energy, as per Design approach 2 of API 674 standard 3rd edition.
At Mechartes we specialize in simulating multicomponent flows and solid liquid mixture flows through pipes over a wide range of atmospheric and internal conditions. We provide services to carry out flow, thermal stress, acoustical, structural, and pulsation analysis of piping network. We deliver our projects under the guidelines of ASME, American Petroleum Institute (API) standard API 674 for fluid systems, and API 618 for gaseous networks.
1. FEA- Modal Analysis of Disc horn and Trumpet horn assembly
The automotive part manufacturer approach us to do the FEA analysis of 2 different horn assemblies including their diaphragm, oscillator and other sub component masses, mounting details were also considered during the study. Output in terms of natural frequencies of diaphragm (Lt and Ht) and Oscillator were provided for various mode shapes and for both the horn assemblies (disc horn and trumpet horn).
2. FEA of a Transport container
Transportation container used for transporting goods, its design was validated using FEA for different load cases and as per ISO 1496-I standard. Several loading cases were analysed like stacking, lifting, strength of container walls, longitudinal and transverse rigidity, lifting from fork lift etc. Material properties and appropriate Boundary conditions with sufficient pay load were used to check the structural integrity of the container. Linear static analysis showing Von-mises stress contour and deflection contour for each load cases were presented in the report, and necessary design modifications were suggested to limit the stresses within the allowable limit.
3. Engineering design for 2-Axis Tracker
Two-axis tracker system used for solar panels which are driven by two linear actuators, was to be validated using CFD and FEA to meet the operating performance. Wind loads are anticipated as the most critical loading condition that the tracker system must withstand during its operation. It is therefore desired that a detailed analysis should be performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to calculate loads and/or moments coming on individual joints and connection points of the tracker installed at multiple solar panes in an open area. Additionally, it was also required to verify if the design can withstand the loads from wind speed up to 170 Km/hr. A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of structural and connecting members of the design was carried out to check if the design can withstand added loads from wind during tracker operations. The stress and deflection contours on the structural components and connecting elements helped us in identifying the area of concern design with suggestions on design modifications from our side.
4. Design verification of AHU units for seismic loading
These AHU units of 10 m * 5m, which were to be used in a Data Center building, comprises of many components like a fan, coil heat exchanger, and compressor. These units are connected to AHU enclosures with steel bolts. We conducted FEA- finite element analysis to check the attachment of internal components with AHU body and base frame for seismic loading. The kind of loading considered was the deadweight of the internal components, static and dynamic weights, and seismic load as per the applicable installation area and as per ASCE 7-10.
Through FEA, the deflections and stresses contours were compared with allowable values as per applicable standards and material allowable, and Design suggestions were provided by us to meet the minimum acceptance criteria.
5. Root cause analysis for domestic water risers failure in a High Rise building
For every large commercial/ residential building project, HVAC/MEP piping is a critical system. To prevent the breakdown of this system due to stresses, deflection, or loads acting on it during design or operating conditions, the plant room and piping network should be designed with adequate no. of pipe supports, flexible connectors, etc. In this case, the customer was facing pipe burst issues in their domestic water supply risers during peak weather conditions in their residential high-rise towers having 30+ floors. These regular issues were bringing a lot of discomfort not just to the building occupants but also to the building contractors, project management, and the service team. We did the survey and root cause analysis and suggested adequate types and no. of supports. After the installation, pipe bursting didn’t occurred and no complaints were made by the building occupants.
6. The True Vapor Pressure (TVP)
TVP reflects the level of performance of the crude oil at the time of handling, storage, and transportation. In the API 650 tank, it underlines conditions under which the bubbles may form and shows where pressure build-ups of escaping light ends are likely to happen during the storage.
We are actively involved in various ADNOC and PDO projects in the middle east and performed TVP analysis and Tank emission facilities at their various project sites.
The measurement of TVP eliminates costly damages to the tanks, vessels, or pipelines that transport crude oil. In addition, it provides guidance on crude oil storage and how the transportation facilities should be constructed to withstand a worst-case situation.
Root Cause Analysis
API 650 AND API 620 based Storage Tank Internal and Structural Design, Nozzle design
FIV, FIT AND FIAV STUDY
FEA for Pressure Vessel and Internals design
Seismic & Vibration Analysis
API 618 and API 674 based Pulsation and Mechanical vibration analysis for reciprocating compressors & pumps.
Skid design
Fatigue and Life Assessment study
Offshore structural & hydrodynamic analysis
FSI Study
Pipe stress analysis and support design
Acoustic study
Seismic & Vibration Analysis for AHUs, Chillers, Gen sets, MEP system
Pump room analysis
With over 5000 projects completed under our wing and having over 15 years of experience, Mechartés should be an easy choice for anyone who wants quality Piping analysis Services. We have an excellent portfolio of projects both in Building and Oil & Gas sector to prove our expertise. Our experienced team, advanced methods, simulation algorithms, and computing power helped us to be a trusted & regular partner for engineering services. Dedication, hard work, and a professional insightful approach are our go-to work principles. We have served global players from Oil & Gas sector like ONGC, IOCL, KOC, ADNOC, Petrofac, RIL and many OEMs.