CAT-10-103 Analyzing Hot Spots for Stress and Strain using Finite Element Analysis

Description:

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is an accurate, state‐of‐the‐art method to compute stress and strain in your vessel, piping and refractory lined systems using solid 3‐D computer models. Specific hot spots and other abnormal loads for a variety of conditions including shutdown and start‐up can be included in these models to ultimately determine the unit’s safety. FEA can be used to determine how close the unit is to the ASME safety limits for a specific hot spot condition. With this information the refiner can decide if it is necessary to shut down to make repairs or to continue running until the normally scheduled turnaround. An example of an actual application of FEA to analyze a hot spot on an FCC unit is explained.