Summary for the GG5 example simulation

This example demonstrates how we can use AVEVA Process Simulation for the thermal analysis of flare relief lines to realistically calculate the mean metal temperatures for pipe walls during relief and avoid unnecessary metallurgy costs.

According to ASME code, the design of vessels and piping should be based on the mean metal temperature, not on the temperature of the fluid contacting the metal. The use of very cold or very hot fluid temperatures can lead to expensive metallurgy choices and unrealistic mechanical design requirements for equipment and can complicate the piping stress design. In many cases, such as this cryogenic depressuring simulation, the mean metal temperature is substantially less severe than the fluid temperature and we can avoid expensive metallurgy and design choices.

The following figure illustrates the refinery steam balance as constructed in AVEVA Process Simulation.

The objective of this simulation is to calculate the temperature profile along the length of the pipe as a function of time to facilitate the metallurgy selection for a long cryogenic flare relief pipe.