Modelling Pressure Vessels
Rectangular Vessels
PV Elite provides intuitive workflow and features that help mechanical engineers develop models quickly, accurately, and easily, and according to applicable design codes.
Rectangular vessel capabilities have been available in the CodeCalc module of PV Elite, for ASME VIII Div 1 Appendix 13. These capabilities have been expanded and moved into the main PV Elite module. A rectangular vessel can be modelled and analysed, according to both ASME VIII Div 1 Appendix 13 and EN 13445-3 Section 15.
Nozzle Loads on Support
External nozzle loadings can be transferred to vessel supports. A setting available in the Configuration will, when activated, automatically resolve any applied nozzle loadings to the supporting structure according to the requirements of EN 13445. The loads are then automatically included in the design of the foundation, bolts, and base plates.
Fatigue Analysis
Fatigue calculations can be performed not just for nozzles, but for the main shells and heads on a vessel using a simplified assessment of weld joint fatigue life due to pressure fluctuations, according to EN 13445-3, Section 17.
Fitness -for-service
Vessels in operation may need to be periodically assessed, particularly if a flaw is identified during inspection. PV Elite can perform fitness-for-service assessment calculations according to API-579. A flaw identified during inspection can be entered in PV Elite and the appropriate Level 1 and/or Level 2 calculations performed. Using this approach, operators can be sure that the vessel or exchanger is safe to remain in operation.
PED Classification
For pressure vessels and heat exchangers in compliance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), the PED Classification tool can be used. This utility will perform calculations on the current model to determine compliance with the design and fabrication standards of the PED, and a report is generated accordingly during the analysis.
Integration with CADWorx Equipment
Out-of-Roundness
Heat Exchanger Design and Analysis
Items of equipment such as large pressure vessels are often extremely expensive and have long lead times as they are typically custom fabricated items. Ensuring that the vessel is ordered on time can be vital to prevent delays in construction. Increasing efficiencies can therefore be crucial. Reducing rework can be an important part of streamlining this workflow. Integration between CADWorx Equipment and PV Elite can significantly reduce rework on both the designer and the analyst. A vessel designed in CADWorx Equipment can be exported directly to PV Elite via the native PVDB file format. This saves the analyst time in building the model from scratch. The vessel can then be analysed in PV Elite and any changes made to ensure code compliance. Those changes can then be re-imported back into CADWorx Equipment to update the design model, to ensure that design and analysis are always synchronised.
PV Elite can perform out-of-roundness calculations. Measurements of the as-built vessel can be entered in the grid, and PV Elite will perform the out-of-roundness calculations as per the requirements of the selected code. ASME, EN 13445 and PD5500 calculations are possible.
Heat Exchangers are complex from a mechanical point of view, consisting of many tubes and multiple conditions such as pressure and temperatures. PV Elite can help with this type of equipment, with analysis capabilities to various standards such as TEMA, ASME UHX, EN 13445 and PD 5500. The complex data entry is simplified and streamlined through tools such as an automated tube layout assistant or the ability to import from HTRI thermal design software. The analysis and load cases, whilst complex are presented in simple, easy to read summary tables and detailed results can be printed for each load case processed and for each combination of corroded and uncorroded state, as selected by the user.
