Downtime, incidents and damage to plant and systems occurs most frequently during operations such as start-up and shutdown. These dynamic events (such as surge pressures) reportedly cause up to 80% of damage and the majority of unexplained shutdown. These dynamic events can occur very quickly (milliseconds) or considerably slower but neither can be accurately studied by traditional steady-state techniques. So two interrelated techniques (called surge analysis and dynamic simulation) are now used to analyse any operations that can cause dynamic changes in pressure, flow, level, composition or temperature.

Surge and transients cause shutdowns, pipe rupture, leaks, noise, and equipment damage. Our consultancy expertise and our software technology can analyse the problems and recommend solutions at design stage or even when the system is operating. We have developed this service so that we can actively improve designs and operating systems at all stages of a system’s life, from bid, through conceptual/FEED, detailed and into operations. We call this process Performance Delivery.

When surge analysis and dynamic simulation is undertaken at design stage, the risk of unwanted incidents such as over-pressure or excessive downtime or flaring can be studied and minimised. The studies can be scheduled at conceptual, FEED or detailed design and there are strong benefits if the studies are planned early in the design life-cycle.

Our industry uses protection equipment and shutdown systems to prevent dangerous events or those that cause loss of production. Each of these techniques (relief valve, OPPS for example) need to be specified and designed using dynamic techniques. So surge analysis and dynamic simulation are essential to the safe and cost-effective specification of protection systems and equipment.

Our industry uses protection equipment and shutdown systems to prevent dangerous events or those that cause loss of production. Each of these techniques (relief valve, OPPS for example) need to be specified and designed using dynamic techniques. So surge analysis and dynamic simulation are essential to the safe and cost-effective specification of protection systems and equipment.