KEH Energy Expertise
PIPING ANALYSIS
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CAEPIPE
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KEH uses the CAEPIPE (prounounced "K-pipe") program produced by SST Systems of
San Jose, California. This program allows rapid assessment of the flexibility
of piping systems and produces a large volume of reports that provide all the
essential information about the movement and forces in the piping
system.
Given a CAD drawing with indicated elevations construction of a model of the piping
system can be produced quickly. Using the model the CAEPIPE program then solves the
complex matrices of multiple anchor piping systems to produce calculated results
within seconds. If the analysis indicates thermally imposed stresses in excess of
that permitted by Code or excessive anchor or equipment loads Ken then applies his
more than forty year's of experience in designing piping systems to suggest alternative
constructs that comply with Code and reduce anchor and equipment loads to acceptable
levels.
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ANALYSIS OF DESIGNS BEATS SOLVING PROBLEMS
The time to have that piping system analyzed is before construction, not when the piping is installed and creating problems. Ken has been disappointed by the number of times he's had to come up with fixes for an installation that wasn't analyzed before it was installed. If the analysis beats construction the installed cost will be lower and may not require some of the things that Ken hates to include in a design because they not only add to the cost of the piping system they require maintenance that is a problem for the owner.
WHY ANALYZE PIPING FLEXIBILITY?
Economics is the best reason. Ken's analysis and design alternatives have saved contractors substantial
sums by eliminating unnecessary or inappropriately placed anchors. Analysis ensures
forces on pump and turbine connections are within the limits of the applicable Codes
to prevent damage to that equipment. Analysis and redesign has served to eliminate expensive
pre-engineered joints for lower installed costs and savings in maintenance for the owner. The
cost of the analysis is a small fraction of the savings in construction alone.
IT'S THE LAW!
All hazardous material piping systems are supposed to be subjected to
analysis according to OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.119) Process Safety Management
of Hazardous Chemicals
IT HELPS PREVENT DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT
Analysis produces precise values of forces and moments at
equipment connections so forces at pump, turbine, and pressure vessel nozzles are
known. This information proves to be even more important than the stress in the
piping because the loads allowed by API-610 (for pumps) and Sm-23 (for turbines)
are considerably lower than loads imposed by a system with moderate pipe stresses.
IT REDUCES POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE
If the piping is not analyzed the installed system could have a localized high point of stress that will weaken the piping until there is a violent rupture. Steam and high temperature hot water piping failures are extremely hazardous and must be avoided.