3/4/2011

Pipework Vibration Assessments

in Petrochemical Plants
Tom Martin
Gary Lee

Who are we?

Dr Tom Martin Mechanical Engineer

20 years experience with FFS methodology development
and application and pipework vibration analysis

Pipeline Integrity Management development and
implementation

Dr Gary Lee Materials and Integrity Engineer

4 years experience in materials and corrosion and
pipework vibration analysis

3/4/2011

Introduction
Why are we doing a pipework vibration
assessment?
Pipework vibration excitation
mechanisms/methodology
Working example and approach

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

Why are we doing pipework vibration assessments?

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

3/4/2011

Why are we doing pipework vibration assessments?

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

Development of vibration assessment methodology

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

3/4/2011

MTD/EI Guidelines process

Stage 1
Identification of
excitation mechanisms

Stage 2

Identify which excitation

mechanisms are relevant, i.e.
- flow induced turbulence
- high frequency acoustic fatigue
- mechanical excitation
- pulsation due to recip, rotating
stall and dead legs

Detailed screening of
main pipe

Calculate likelihood of failure

(0<LOF<1) for mechanisms
identified in Stage 1

Stage 3

Calculate likelihood of failure

of small bore connections with a
main pipe LOF>0.3

Detailed screening of
small bore connections
Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE
Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

Month 2010

Outline
 Why

are we doing a pipework vibration

assessment?
Pipework vibration excitation
mechanisms/methodology
Working example and approach

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

3/4/2011

Vibration excitation mechanisms



Flow induced turbulence

High frequency acoustic fatigue

Mechanical excitation

Pulsation

Reciprocating

Rotating

Flow

machinery

stall

induced excitation

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

Pipework vibration assessment methodology:

Guidelines overview


MTD Guidelines

Basic

methodology for assessing steady state vibration for main lines

and small bore connections augmented with practical experience
from St. Fergus
 Flow induced turbulence
 Mechanical excitation
 Pulsation (periodic flow, reciprocating, rotating stall)
 High Frequency acoustic fatigue

EI Guidelines

New

improved flow induced turbulence guidelines for gas and new

pulsation due to periodic flow guidelines

Vortex shedding methodology for thermowells etc.

Transient guidelines for fast acting valves etc.

Small bore connection assessment changes
Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE
Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

10

3/4/2011

Pipework vibration assessment methodology:

Shell additions/modifications


Additions:

Vortex

shedding methodology for Shell designed thermowells

induced turbulence model was expanded to include pipework
up to 80 diameter (EI guidelines was limited to 30)

Detailed flow induced turbulence screening model that takes into
account the source and location of excitation

Improved dead leg methodology for multiple acoustic paths
(EI guidelines for one acoustic path)

Flow

Guidelines:

S-RBI

vibration module
Practise Guideline

Detailed screening methodology for flow induced turbulence and
dead legs

Best

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

11

Outline


Why are we doing a pipework vibration assessment?

Pipework vibration excitation mechanisms/methodology

Working example and approach

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

12

3/4/2011

Shell Approach using EI guidelines

EI guideline methodology is a proactive
screening approach
Due to large number of pipework in an
LNG plant (like SEIC), screening
approach is required
Results from screening exercise will
provide critical locations for more
detailed assessment
Rectifications can include:

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

1)

Vibration monitoring

2)

Detailed assessments

3)

Brace or redesign

4)

Process change
MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

13

Working Example: Preliminary Desktop Assessment

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

14

3/4/2011

Working Example: Post Walk Down Assessment

Copyright of INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE

Up to two lines if required

MOST CONFIDENTIAL

Month 2010

15