Integrating First Principles-Based Approaches into the RoutineDesign Practice for Offshore Consequence Analysis and OperationalTroubleshooting Assessments

摘要

Significant advancements in physics-based model development,software workflow practices,multi-coreprocessing and cost-effective cloud computing has enabled the adoption of high fidelity,three-dimensional(3D) modeling such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD),finite element analysis (FEA),and other firstprinciples-based analyses into normal engineering design practices.Historically,integration of these toolsinto the standard engineering workflow was challenging due to the excessively long turnaround times todeliver any results.Three Case Studies are subsequently presented where 3D modeling analysis was used early andseamlessly in the engineering design process to solve problems related to consequence analysis andequipment operational performance: Case 1) Risk assessment of pilot flame extinguishment due to inert gas discharge from the flare of anFPSO,Case 2) Jet dispersion analysis from HP/LP flare to assess hydrocarbon and H2S concentrations at criticallocations on the platform,including results comparison between CFD results and a conventional dispersiontool-Flaresim,and,Case 3) Solving a fatigue induced cracking problem on the cooling water circuit of a heat exchangerusing an integrated workflow consisting of CFD modelling of the cooling water,stress analysis using FEA,and structural integrity assessment per ASME BPVC VIII Division 2.The modelling results from these case studies were generated in timeframes similar to those usingconventional engineering calculation methods,and thus allowed for prompt integration into the engineeringdesign process without impacting project schedules and delivery.Moreover,the costs to perform thesemodelling analyses were not substantially greater than the costs associated with conventional calculationmethods,thereby providing high value to the engineering projects.