Networks, Piping and Valves

Erosion in a Hydraulic Valve

Context

The objective of this project was to analyze by CFD the internal flow of a hydraulic valve in order to determine potential areas of erosion.

Resolution

Based on a 3D geometry, a numerical analysis of the internal flow of the valve was carried out for a given valve position.

Results

The study showed that the internal flow had areas of strong parietal shear. It made it possible to locate areas at risk of erosion, and also to calculate head losses.

Flash Vaporization in a Valve

Context

The objective of this study was to characterize the flow in a non-return valve in the event of an accidental open rupture in a downstream pipeline. This type of scenario is very much studied in the nuclear sector and it is essential to know the efforts that the structures will have to bear in order to be properly dimensioned.

Resolution

4 configurations have been studied: two stem positions and two fluid temperatures for each position. Subsequently, two-phase analyses, including turbulence and cavitation phenomena, were carried out.

Results

The results were used to determine the mass flow through the valve, the forces exerted by the flows on the stem and the detection of potential vortex under the stem. Thanks to numerical simulation, we were able to locate the regions where the vapors appear and the percentage of vapor in the flow downstream of the valve.

Erosion and Predictive Maintenance

Context

FPSO ships receive the oil and gas extracted by one or more oil platforms. Many piping systems are present to deliver the oil blends to the processing and storage tanks. It is essential to be able to predict which areas of the pipes are subject to sandy erosion of the mixture (gas – liquid – solid).

Resolution

During this project, eight operating points were studied (fluid mixtures, solid loads, type of sand particles). Multi-decennial operating scenarios were established (site changes, different extracted gases).

Results

The study obtained the rate of erosion, as well as the rate of erosion. The areas of maximum erosion have been identified as well as the trajectories of solid particles and areas of high erosion. This type of modeling allows predictive and efficient on-site maintenance based on operating scenarios.