News & Insights from Dynaflow Research Group

This project examines the root cause of increased vibrations observed in the control valve 670FC005-VC at Shell Pernis following its replacement with a new valve from a different manufacturer. The resulting vibrations led to a critical mechanical failure at the connection between the valve stem and the actuator.  The objectives

At BP Geel, a new extension of the fire protection system experienced operational failures during start-up due to surge effects. A similar incident with line AFW-023025 had previously prompted a surge analysis, leading to the current study focused on the adjacent foam system, line AFW-023024. The foam line, running nearly

At the BP Geel facility, a previous failure of the fire protection system during start-up prompted a detailed investigation into surge effects within the network. The incident occurred on line AFW-023025, and subsequent studies identified hydraulic transients as the primary cause. Given the similar configuration and operating principle of the

The ONE GUYANA Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit has been designed to operate in deepwater conditions with a production capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The FPSO is designed for a 20-year operational life, handling complex processes including water and gas injection. Previous projects highlighted the

During this project the optimal wearplate thickness for pipe supports on the FPSO Maria Quiteria was investigated, aligning with the Yinson project specifications. The primary objective was to validate whether the prescribed wearplate thicknesses—6mm for pipes of 10” and smaller, 10mm for larger pipes, and 12.7mm for pipes with higher

On the Goliat Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit, significant vibration and cavitation phenomena were observed downstream of control valve 71PV1103 on the minimum flow line of pump B during maximum flow conditions. Additionally, pressure surges were reported during system start-up through this minimum flow line. Such issues posed

The Petrojarl I Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) facility, in operation since 1986 in the North Sea, underwent critical modifications to prepare for deployment at the Atlanta oil field offshore Brazil. The relocation entailed adapting the crude oil offloading system to manage Brazilian crude with higher viscosity and to

The client commissioned a surge analysis for the Waste Water (WW) system at the Rotterdam terminal. The analysis aimed to quantify transient pressures and unbalanced forces generated by various hydraulic events: pump trips, pump startups, pump switchovers, and the closure of two key butterfly valves. The analysis was performed using

This case study presents the findings of a comprehensive pipe stress analysis of several tank lines following a leakage incident at an expansion joint. The analysis was initiated after segments of the tank lines were replaced with new routing. Upon operation of the system, a leak was detected at the

The project focused on evaluating the mechanical integrity and support strategy of a glass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping system lined with unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), designed to protect the glass-reinforced plastic structural layer against the corrosive gas mixture. The temporary installation provides an additional gas cleaning stage for the sulphuric acid

This case study presents a technical assessment of the Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) piping system installation at a power plant, based on a visit conducted at its site. The evaluation focused on the material quality, engineering, and site installation activities for the project’s cooling water and firewater systems. Particular attention

The client experienced multiple unexpected failures in the underground firewater (FW) network at one of their facilities. The network utilizes fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping. To determine the root causes of these failures, a material investigation was conducted by Dynaflow Research Group on pipe samples. This case study presents the methodology,

A heat exchanger was found to have fluid leakage from the tube side into the shell side after approximately 3 years of operation. Initial inspections suggested that flow-induced vibrations (FIV) were causing support rods to puncture through tube walls. To diagnose and address the source and effects of the FIV

This project presents a detailed technical assessment of two vertical tube cooker (shell-and-tube heat exchanger) designs using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The analysis was conducted for Tanis, a manufacturer of candy production lines, with the objective of verifying and improving the thermal performance of the tube cooker, a critical process

Dynaflow Research Group was asked to conduct a comprehensive finite element (FE) analysis on a custom hairpin heat exchanger. The primary objective was to assess the exchanger’s structural integrity under demanding cyclic loading conditions, focusing on fatigue life and ratcheting behavior in compliance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel

Effective mixing in bioreactors is essential for maximizing mass transfer, homogenizing chemical species, and ensuring uniform biological activity. The client undertook a computational fluid dynamics study in collaboration with Dynaflow Research Group to evaluate the performance of a 60 m³ hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) bioreactor, with a specific focus on mixing

Excessive vibrations were detected in the discharge piping of compressor C801 at BP Rotterdam. The observed vibration frequencies corresponded to the compressor’s running speed and its harmonics, indicating the compressor as the primary excitation source. This prompted an in-depth technical investigation due to concerns over the integrity and reliability of

The API 618 DA3 study at the Q8 Terminal, commissioned by Wintershall Noordzee and executed by Dynaflow Research Group, was initiated to ensure the mechanical reliability and performance of the reciprocating compressor piping system. This study focuses on the evaluation of pulsation and vibration per API 618 (5th Edition, 2007)

Building directly on the preceding site verification and model augmentation phase, the objective of the stress assessment was to ensure the mechanical integrity and regulatory compliance of the entire piping network under all anticipated operational, test, and environmental scenarios. The assessment was carried out in accordance with ASME B31.3 and

Following the initial review of the pulsation and vibration analysis for the Q8 Terminal compressor station, a detailed site visit was conducted to resolve ambiguities in the as-built system configuration. The purpose of this site visit was to verify support functionality, assess current installations, confirm actual piping layouts, and gather

This case study presents a critical review of the pulsation and vibration analysis carried out by a third-party supplier, focusing on the Q8 Terminal compressor station. The analysis, conducted in accordance with API 618 Design Approach 3, aimed to assess the dynamic response of the compressor and associated piping systems.