Plant Services

 

Fitness For Service (FFS) & Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Zachry’s expertise in Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments is supported by a team knowledgeable in FFS techniques to determine whether damaged equipment can continue to be safely used. We have performed evaluations for reactors, vessels, tanks, truck frames, and pipelines using API 579/ASME FFS-1 methodology. Our analysis investigates the underlying damage mechanisms leading to a material’s fatigue and fracture. Zachry’s team is up-to-date and involved with FFS research, such as our submission to API/ASME to support changes to a Level 2 assessment methodology for thermal hot spots. With experience ranging from simpler Level 1 to rigorous Level 3, Zachry’s ability to apply the right approach results in cost and time savings to clients.

OUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • API 579/ASME FFS-1 methodology Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Assessments
  • Thermal Hot Spot Level 2 Assessment Research
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • ANSYS, CAESAR II, and Solidworks software tools
  • 3D Laser Scanning to support FEA models
  • Fracture Mechanics and Crack Propagation/li>
  • Fatigue Life and Cyclical Loading
  • Plastic Collapse Failure
  • Buckling Failure
  • Failure Analysis
  • Bulges, Dents and Gouges
  • Cold Brittle Fracture
  • Reactor Vessel Shell Integrity
  • Reactor Start-up / Shut-down Procedure Optimization
  • Piping Header Supports
  • Tank Stability and Ductile Tearing
  • Pressure vessel local wall thinning study
  • Linear and non-linear structural analysis
  • LNG vacuum jacketing vessel and pump nozzle loading
  • Pressure vessel nozzle loading (ASME VIII Div 2)
  • Compressor shaft fretting and fatigue
  • Pressure vessel creep and fatigue
  • Impact wear analysis
  • Reactor wall thermal quenching

 
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Forensic Engineering & Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Zachry’s engineers combine expertise and extensive industry knowledge along with skills in a variety of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) platforms to quickly solve real world problems pertaining to in-service failures. We apply sound engineering principles and are prepared to assist urgent investigations by offering expert opinion.
Our engineers can quickly mobilize to gather data from physical inspection and measurements or by reviewing as-built installation drawings of equipment to set up practical 2D & 3D models. These models accurately predict stresses, strains, displacement, fatigue, ratcheting, vibration, and thermal heat transfer to assist in determining failure modes.

OUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • Aviation fuel pipeline impact investigation
  • Leaking flange joint investigation
  • Pressure vessel and tank failure
  • Truck frame failure

   
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Low Temperature Brittle Fracture Prevention

Carbon steel toughness and ductility degrades with decreases in temperature, so designing equipment and selecting materials properly in the design stage, can prevent severe safety and equipment failure leading to injury or loss of life, loss of product and production, and all the costly consequences.
Existing brownfield facilities can be analyzed by Zachry for Brittle Fracture potential under severe conditions, such as a blowdown event. Zachry can work with your engineers to help develop low temperature mitigation procedures, recommend mechanical stress-reduction installations, re-rate equipment to operate under more severe conditions utilizing Fitness for Service methodology, and in the worse-case provide material replacement recommendations in critical locations.

OUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • Assessment of existing materials to API 579 Fitness for Service – Part 3
  • Minimum Allowable Temperatures (MAT) Curve Development
  • Simulation of Critical Exposure Temperatures (CET) based on different process scenarios
  • Re-rating Pressure Vessels for low temperature operation per ASME Section VIII
  • Pressure Stress Ratio Evaluation for low temperature using in-house tools and industry-recognized software
  • Material selection & equipment design for new low-temperature construction
  • Operational boundary development

 
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Oil Sands Wear Technology Solutions

Billions of dollars are spent annually by oil sands surface mining facilities on maintenance, replacement and repair of equipment and piping due to excessive wear and corrosion, in addition to the consequential production losses from premature failures. Oil sand is mainly composed of hard quartz, sand, silt, clay, water and bitumen. The presence of quartz and other hard solids in the oil sands has posed unique material challenges for oil sands operators.

Zachry engineers have assisted oil sand surface mining operations with developing and implementing material technology solutions to reduce the reliability impact caused by wear, erosion, and erosion-corrosion. Since 2014, Zachry has contributed an estimated operating (OPEX) cost savings of more than $45 million dollars to oil sand facilities.

OUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PIPING AND EQUIPMENT:

  • Dense slurry pipeline materials:
    • Laboratory and field testing of materials
    • Material selection for various dense slurry piping applications
  • Solvent, diluted bitumen and water piping
    • Material selection for various solvent diluted bitumen and water piping applications
  • Rotary breakers
    • Laboratory and field testing of alternative tungsten carbide overlays for breaker liner screens
    • Material selection for erosion and corrosion protection of sparge pipe
  • Ground engaging tools
    • Laboratory testing of alternative tungsten carbide overlays for bucket teeth
  • Crushers
    • Determine degradation mechanisms and provided material selection for teeth
  • Vibrating and static screens
    • Determine degradation mechanisms and provided material selection for screens
  • Primary separation cells
    • Determine degradation mechanisms and provided material selection for bottom cone
  • Feed and discharge chute liners
    • Determine degradation mechanisms and provided material selection for liners
  • Slurry heaters
  • Pumps
  • Cyclone

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Water / Steam Hammer & Transient Surge Analysis

Water hammer occurs when there is a pressure wave generated from a fluid that is forced to stop, start, or change direction suddenly. In the case of steam hammer, there is a mixture of steam and condensate instead of fluid. These situations are common when a valve within a piping system is shut-off or turned-on. The pressure wave induces vibration and reactionary forces on the pipe that can compromise safety potentially causing injury to nearby personnel and severely damaging the piping and equipment, which can otherwise cause preventable downtime.

Zachry’s engineers are able to investigate the mechanisms behind water hammer sources and piping failures in both liquid-filled and two-phase steam-condensate systems. We can analyze the fluid flow at all stages of operation, simulating the increased pressures, vibration, and forces during the event and the mechanical response due to the increased loads on the piping systems.

OUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • Work with water, emulsion, and diluent systems
  • Transient flow simulation using AFT Impulse to model pipelines and worse transient cases
  • Analyzing safe opening and closing times for control and switching valves
  • Force and structural support review with CAESAR II
  • Dynamic fluid flow simulation and assessment for flow-induced vibration hazards
  • Hazardous vibration assessment to industry accepted criteria including: Energy Institute (UK), Southwest Research, and EDI guidelines

 
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Expansion, Swivel & Clamp Joints

From application to elimination, Zachry has the expertise to design and modify a piping system to work with or without specialized piping joints. Expansion joints are widely used when a ‘tight’ piping system does not permit the flexibility necessary to absorb axial and lateral movement, generally at the expense of robustness and longevity when compared to hard pipe. Zachry has a long history of providing sound alternatives to replace ineffective or leaking expansion joints.

Swivel joints are often used in two or three ‘knuckle’ combinations to absorb large differential movement. Incorrect design often leads to ineffective movement of the knuckle arrangement leading to possible damage or leaks.

Zachry has performed evaluations on hundreds of knuckle combinations and can provide the most effective design for any scenario.

Clamp Joints are often used in severe operating conditions where spool removal is necessary, however they can be susceptible to leakage if put under incorrect bending loads. Zachry can assess existing clamp joints for root cause failure, and modify piping to alleviate unnecessary loading to keep the joints fit and in service.

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Process Engineering

 

At Zachry, our process engineers focus on designing optimized systems through computer-based methods. We have experience with SAGD central processing facilities and wellpads, upgraders, and refineries. After the processes are refined, our designers are able to detail the process and create Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). These drawings will then be issued and approved under the designing engineer. Our process engineers also provide support to our Fitness For Service experts.

OUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • FEED and DETAIL design for Oil Sands, Gas Compression, and LNG Facilities
  • Mass Balance & Material Selection Diagrams
  • PFD, P&ID, LDT Development, Drafting & Checking
  • Detailed Process Simulation using industry-recognized software

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Thermal Imaging & 3D Laser Scanning

 
Thermal Imaging

At Zachry, we add value to Fitness For Service and stress evaluations with our ability to take thermal images. Thermography could help uncover the root cause of your damaged asset by capturing real-life data for further engineering analysis in a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software.

When assessing stress or fatigue, an engineer would assume a temperature based off of the design conditions which can result in an approximation of stress and not be reflective of reality. By taking thermal images, we could acquire actual temperatures in a non-invasive manner to create a more accurate assessment of equipment or piping.

With thermal imaging, we would be able to:

  • Acquire accurate temperature profiles in a non-invasive manner
  • Map temperature trends with operation cycles over several hours
  • Determine localized temperature gradients that could be causing damage
  • Detect leaks to assess hazards and assist with maintenance priorities
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3D Laser Scanning

We offer 3D laser scanning to complement our engineering services. Our trained technicians can scan equipment for dents and bulges to create highly accurate models. 3D laser scanning is a value-added service to our Fitness For Service, Cold Brittle Fracture prevention, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) expertise.

With 3D laser scanning, we would be able to:

  • Develop accurate 3D models of piping, equipment, and structures
  • Reduce the amount of time spent on manual measurements
  • Aid in failure investigation

 
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