Hello friends,

Does PV Elite perform hydrotest calculation for Girth flanges and Tubesheet of Heat Exchangers?

If yes, then where to find output files for the same.

Hello Anup

PV Elite does not perform the hydrotest calculation for flanges per se. It does not do the hydrotest calculations for the tubesheets either. With regard to tubesheets, it is impossible to assess the MAWP of the tubesheets for shell and channel sides concurrently for the operating condition. The MAWP estimate in the output is for cold conditions when zero pressure on the side that is not being assessed for MAWP. It is not a true MAWP.

Thanks for the reply.

How you ensure the thicknesses calculated in PV Elite for girth flanges and Tubesheet is okay for hydrotest pressure as per new and cold condition (UG-99c)?

Please guide us for the procedure of hydrotest calculation for girth flanges and Tubesheet in PV Elite.

Expecting reply from Intergraph and members

Hello Anup,

If you try to design a body flange for the overall MAP New and Cold, you will probably find that the amount of bolting available is insufficient and you will get into a loop trying to satisfy the MAP condition. In my opinion, it is not the intent of the Code to design elements to withstand the hydrotest pressure, but rather they are designed for the severest expected operating condition including loads from wind/seismic etc. as noted in UG-22.

PV Elite iterates the tubesheet design to determine the MAWP and MAP that can be used to determine the hydrotest pressure on the appropriate side.

So in theory one of the items will be at its maximum allowed stress during the hydrotest.