by GeorgeWebManHopperE | Mar 26, 2021 | Petrochemical Refining and Production
The cause of repeated cracking in the welded connection of a pipe stub from an 8″ line to a bleeder valve was unknown. HEA attributed the failure to high fatigue stresses caused by resonant vibration of the valve. This vibration was traced to pressure pulsations...
by GeorgeWebManHopperE | Mar 26, 2021 | Petrochemical Refining and Production
The stability of a drilling platform, currently in the feasibility phase of development, is in question. The platform is supported by three composite legs embedded in the sea floor. The platform supports significant load from a drilling rig, drill pipe setback,...
by GeorgeWebManHopperE | Mar 26, 2021 | Petrochemical Refining and Production
Ice severely damaged a horizontal brace of an oil platform jacket structure. HEA was tasked to determine the platform’s fitness for service and remaining life. HEA analyzed the local and global stresses associated with the observed damage. Global elastic...
by GeorgeWebManHopperE | Mar 26, 2021 | Petrochemical Refining and Production
The ultimate capacity of an existing outlet collector needed to be determined. HEA generated a finite element model of the outlet collector and a differential pressure load was applied. Our analysis considered material plasticity to find the ultimate collapse load. An...
by GeorgeWebManHopperE | Mar 26, 2021 | Petrochemical Refining and Production
Multiple cracking and leak failures have occurred in tubing located within an oil refinery economizer. Metallurgical examination of the failed tubes indicates that corrosion fatigue is the most likely failure mechanism. HEA performed a finite element analysis and...
by GeorgeWebManHopperE | Mar 26, 2021 | Petrochemical Refining and Production
A J-tube previously used as a firewater source, located in a leg of an oil platform, was found to be plugged. A systems upgrade to the fire protection system requires a functional fire water pump at the leg. Flooding of the leg was under consideration as a solution....
