cae case studies: pressure vessel finite element analysis

Alcyon Engineering has a wide experience in pressure vessel and heat exchanger analysis for the process industry. We have been working with some of the largest process equipment manufacturers in the Indian market and UAE.We analyze pressure vessels and heat exchangers of all types including molecular sieve vessels, preheators, chambers, filter housings, transfer tanks,blow tanks, boilers, sulphur condensors,etc. Some of the analyses we have conducted are:

• Saddle analysis of horizontal pressure vessels with thermostructural and wind (ASCE 7-02) loads
• Seismic analysis using dynamic input loads (response spectrum analysis)
• Fatigue (Durability) Analysis as per ASME Sec VIII Div 2, involving both pressure and temperature cycles, in addition to other nozzle, wind and seismic loading.
• FEA based on AD-2000 Merkblatt Standard
• Analysis of pressure vessels with spring supports.
• Horizontal Pressure vessel analysis with special support analysis.
• Heat exchanger analysis of single/multi-pass type as per the ASME and TEMA code which involve Thermo-structural analysis.
• Shell-nozzle junction fillet optimization
• Thermal buckling analysis
• Nozzle- shell Analysis as per ASME code.
• Bellow Analysis as per the TEMA guidelines.

We work with our clients as a third-party FEA consultant to aid them to obtain certification of their equipment. In case of design failure, we have worked in coordination with client, arrived at design changes and validated the same using FEA therefore easing the client worries.

A dedicated team at Alcyon works on such kind of analyses thereby enabling a focused, tailormade approach for client while maintaining quality standards that the industry knows us for.

Our work in this domain has been authenticated and approved by clients including Fluor, Linde, Petrofac, Serck, Technip, EIL, Bechtel, AkerSolutions Powergas India / UK, L&T, Godrej, ISGEC, Enpro, Lloyds Register and TEMA India.

We have developed detailed methodology for analysis of these equipment which has been authenticated by our clients. Inputs are usually in form of drawings, from which we make 3D models and do the analysis. There have been times when Alcyon suggested design changes on the basis of analysis results. At other times, Alcyon has validated manufacturing defects through FEA and saved the client the huge cost of correcting the defects.

Plot of minimum principal stresses in a cryogenic pressure vessel