Overview

The process industries commonly use shell and tube heat exchangers (STHEs) to heat or cool high-pressure (HP) fluids. The liquid-filled low pressure (LP) side tends to be at risk of overpressure in the event of any leakage from the HP side of the exchanger, and if it is inadequately protected, then it introduces a risk of catastrophic failure of the shell or piping. This can be a problem in installations where the shell or tube is not rated for the maximum tubeside or shellside pressure. Tube rupture is commonly promoted by corrosion and most likely to occur adjacent to the tubesheet. It is necessary to perform Tube Rupture Analysis on STHEs to ensure that the system is adequately protected for the overpressure scenario.

Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger Tube Rupture Analysis has grown significant interest within the Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Industry from a process safety standpoint. Atkins has been at the frontier in conducting Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger Tube Rupture Analysis. We are able to study the phenomenon of tube rupture, in accordance with API-521 (Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depressuring Systems), to ascertain peak transient pressures and assess the relief provision.  

Atkins has been a consultant on the Committee of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) arranged by the UK Energy Institute to further investigate the overpressure protection required for shell and tube heat exchangers in the case of a sudden tube failure. The results of the tests performed as part of this JIP served Atkins to validate its tube rupture modeling methodology and provided better estimates for some empirical parameters used in the simulations. Atkins was also Technical Author for the second edition of “Guidelines for the safe design and operation of shell and tube heat exchangers to withstand the impact of tube failure”. The Guidelines suggest that dynamic simulation should be performed to determine peak pressures generated following a tube rupture event.

Presenters

Ron Duguid CEng MIChemE

Ron is the Americas Upstream Process and Facilities Engineering Group Manager for Atkins, a Member of the SNC-Lavalin Group. Ron specializes in oil and gas facilities planning, design and development, and has been involved in numerous greenfield and brownfield design projects and studies since 2002, including many simulation, debottlenecking and flare system study scopes.

Naqqash Todai AIChemE

Naqqash is a Senior Process Consultant for Atkins, a Member of the SNC-Lavalin Group. Naqqash has extensive experience in modeling and simulation using commercially available software such as HYSYS, UniSim and VMGSim, including a broad range of dynamic process simulation studies such as verification of compressor protection systems, HIPPS and OPPS studies, start-up and trip procedure validation, HEX tube rupture analysis, and water hammer / surge analysis.

Format

A one-hour online session: 40 minutes' presentation + 20 minutes' Q&A.
Duration (for CPD recording purposes): up to one hour.

If you are recording mandatory CPD you should refer to your own regulator's requirements as recognition of CPD hours may vary.