Horizontal Vessel Research Articles

Dynamic characteristics of a horizontal rectangular vessel partially or fully filled with a fluid

A theoretical framework is presented for free vibration of a flexible horizontal rectangular vessel, whether it is partially or fully filled with a fluid. The vibrational modal patterns of the vessel, whether dry or wet, are classified into symmetric and antisymmetric modes. The theoretical model conceptualizes the vessel as an unfolded plate with line supports simulating the vessel's corners. The motion of contained fluid is described using displacement potentials that adhere to the Laplace equation and fluid boundary conditions. Importantly, the proposed analytical approach accounts for the dynamic interaction between the vessel and the fluid, ensuring compatibility along their contacting surfaces. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is employed to formulate an eigenvalue problem, considering entire kinetic and strain energies of the fluid-filled vessel. The accuracy of the theoretical approach is checked by conducting finite element analyses. Remarkably, the natural frequencies obtained through commercial software align closely with the theoretical predictions for both dry and fluid-filled vessels. In instances of fully fluid-filled vessels, we can discern the presence of fluid contact at the vessel's upper plate by examining the natural frequencies and mode shapes. The proposed method offers applicability in dynamically analyzing water-filled spent fuel casks, enhancing safety during transportation.

Experimental study on explosive boiling mechanism of horizontal vessels

Experimental study on explosive boiling mechanism of horizontal vessels

End Connectors Stress Analysis for Horizontal Pressure Vessel

The gas and oil industry extensively utilizes horizontal pressure vessels to store its primary sources. These vessels are designed to withstand high levels of pressure and to release contents in a controlled manner. Although the sphere-shaped storage container is widely regarded as a better-engineered structure, the ease of manufacturing makes horizontal pressure vessels the preferred choice. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of stress distribution in horizontal pressure vessels with various end connections, including hemispherical, ellipsoidal, flat head, and tori-spherical configurations. The study involves analytical and finite element analysis (FEA) to compare the stress distribution across these above-mentioned end connections. Key vessel dimensions, such as internal diameter, vessel thickness, and end connections, have been determined through analytical design. A detailed structural analysis aided in determining which among the different end connectors is best suitable for industry usage.

Liquid carry-over control using three-phase horizontal smart separators in Khor Mor gas-condensate processing plant

Liquid carry-over phenomenon, where liquid droplets escape with gas, is a prevalent operational challenge in gas–liquid separators. Liquid carry-over leads to foaming issue and performance reduction within separator downstream absorption processes. In order to ascertain whether liquid carry-over is inducing foaming within the gas sweetening process’s absorption tower at Iraq’s Khor Mor gas-condensate processing plant, this study initiated an evaluation of the liquid droplet size distribution in the gas product and gas/liquid separation efficiency of upstream Alpha, Bravo #1, Bravo #2, and Charlee separators that feed into the aforementioned tower by using the Horizontal Vessel and ProSeparator correlations in Aspen HYSYS v.11 software. The study revealed that Alpha and Bravo #2 experienced liquid carry-over issues. In response to these challenges, an innovative smart separator design, referred to as an adjustable separator, was proposed, employing the Arnold-Stewart semi-empirical procedure. This design allows for easy adjustment to accommodate changes in feed composition and operational conditions, mitigating the liquid carry-over problem. The smart design demonstrated a significant increase in gas/liquid separation efficiency for Alpha separator, improving by 31.11% under current conditions and 77.65% under future conditions. Similarly, under both current and future conditions, the smart design of Bravo #2 separator yielded an enhancement of 21.31% and 28.23%, respectively. These results suggest that the smart design can be considered an optimal solution for controlling liquid carry-over. This innovation not only maintains high gas/liquid separation efficiency but also prevents foaming, offering a robust solution for ensuring sustained operational performance and productivity in gas–liquid separation processes.

Numerical simulations of shallow-water sloshing coupled to horizontal vessel motion in the presence of a time-dependent porous baffle

Shallow-water fluid sloshing in the Lagrangian Particle Path formulation, with the addition of an energy-extracting porous baffle, is simulated numerically using a symplectic numerical scheme which captures, in an essential way, the energy exchange. The fluid motion in a rectangular vessel is dynamically coupled to a surface-piercing porous baffle. The fluid transmission through the baffle is characterized by a nonlinear Darcy–Forchheimer model equation. The numerical scheme is symplectic, based on the implicit-midpoint rule, and thus is strategically designed to maintain the energy partition between the fluid and vessel throughout numerous time steps. Our results demonstrate the non-conservative nature of the system, with the porous baffle effectively dissipating energy from the overall system. Furthermore, we present findings that demonstrate the role of time-periodic variations in baffle porosity on energy dissipation. By manipulating the frequency and magnitude of this time-dependent variability, it is established that a greater amount of energy can be extracted from the system compared with the optimal fixed porosity baffle. These results shed new light on potential strategies for enhancing energy dissipation in such configurations.

Sonochemical oxidation activity in 20-kHz probe-type sonicator systems: The effects of probe positions and vessel sizes

The 20-kHz probe-type sonicator systems were investigated for the enhancement of the cavitational oxidation activity under various geometric conditions including vertical and horizontal probe positions and vessel sizes/volumes as a following study to our previous study. The sonochemical oxidation activity (mass-based I3- ion generation rate) increased significantly for all vessel size conditions as the probe was placed close to the vessel bottom, owing to the expansion of the sonochemical active zone induced by the reflections of ultrasound at the bottom and the reactor wall. A concentric circular active zone is observed at positions close to the bottom. The highest sonochemical activity was obtained at 1 cm (vertical position) in the 20 cm vessels (input power: 50 %). At the vertical positions of 11 cm to 7 cm, no significant difference in the sonochemical activity was observed for all input power conditions (25, 50, and 75 %) because no meaningful reflections occurred. Higher sonochemical activities were obtained at an input power of 75 % owing to the increased power and strong reflection. The highest cavitational yield considering the energy efficiency was obtained at 6 cm (vertical position) for 75 % of all power and geometric conditions. Horizontal probe position tests showed that the asymmetric formation of the sonochemical active zone could significantly enhance the sonochemical activity. The highest activity was obtained at 1 cm (vertical position) and 2.5 cm (horizontal position) in the 20 cm vessel.

The Prediction of Self-Induced Oscillations in Horizontal Cylindrical Vessel using CFD and Elucidation of Their Generation Mechanism

The Prediction of Self-Induced Oscillations in Horizontal Cylindrical Vessel using CFD and Elucidation of Their Generation Mechanism

Controlling the coarsening dynamics of ferrogranulate networks by means of the filling fraction—Less is more susceptible

We are exploring in experiments the aggregation process in a shaken granular mixture of glass and magnetized steel beads, filled in a horizontal vessel. After the shaking amplitude is suddenly decreased, the magnetized beads form a transient network that coarsens in time into compact clusters. Here we investigate how an increased volume fraction ϕ of the granulate accelerates the coarsening, whereas a homogeneous magnetic field B⊥ oriented in vertical direction impedes the emergence and growth of the networks. We explore the coarsening dynamics in the (ϕ,B)-control parameter space, and observe that low filling fractions are more susceptible to an increase of B⊥ than high ones.

Controlling the coarsening dynamics of ferrogranular networks by means of a vertical magnetic field.

We are exploring in experiments the aggregation process in a shaken granular mixture of glass and magnetized steel beads, filled in a horizontal vessel, after the shaking amplitude is suddenly decreased. Then the magnetized beads form a transient network that coarsens in time into compact clusters, resembling a viscoelastic phase separation [Tanaka, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 12, R207 (2000)0953-898410.1088/0953-8984/12/15/201], where attached beads represent the slow phase. Here we investigate how a homogeneous magnetic field oriented in vertical direction impedes the emergence and growth of the networks. With increasing field amplitude this phase is replaced by a fluctuating arrangement of repelling, isolated steel beads. The experimental results are compared with those of computer simulations. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics confirms the impact of an applied magnetic field on the structural transitions and allows us to investigate long-time regimes and magnetic response not yet accessible in the experiment. It turns out that an applied magnetic field has different impacts, depending on it strength. It can be used either to slow down the dynamics of the structural transitions without changing the type of the resulting phases and only affecting the amount and sizes of clusters, or to fully impede the formation of network-like and compact aggregates of steel beads.

Effect of heterogeneous hydrate distribution on hydrate production under different hole combinations

Few laboratory studies were focused on the effect of heterogeneous hydrate distribution on hydrate production. Herein, in a horizontal pressure vessel with hole density of 8.3 holes/m and hole diameter of 2.5 cm, this effect was defined by depressurization in seven samples with a hydrate saturation of 23.2% under various hole combinations. Hydrate distribution and its heterogeneity degree were represented by the net increase of the electrical resistance during hydrate formation and the corresponding variation coefficient and then compared with depressurization effects. The results showed that hydrate distribution possessed a heterogeneity degree range of 0.96–1.97. Under a large heterogeneity degree, water production was aggravated. Thus, temperature loss and the sensible heat use ratio under one-hole combination was separately increased by 0.21 °C and 0.12, while gas production and hydrate dissociation ratio was reduced by 4.332 L and 3.79%, respectively. An apparent effect of hydrate distribution on water production was observed within 1–2 holes. This effect increased temperature loss by 0.11 °C and the sensible heat use ratio by 0.084, and reduced gas production by 6.564 L. Exceeding 1–2 holes, hole amounts governed severe water production. This work may advantage to understand the influencing mechanism of hydrate distribution on hydrate production.

An Optimum Design of Pressure Vessel by using PV-ELITE Software

bstract: The safety factor of a pressure vessel is related to both the tensile stress and yield strength for material allowance. ASME code section VIII has fully covered these two on the construction code for pressure vessel. This code section addressed mandatory and non-mandatory appendixes requirement, specific prohibition, vessel materials, design, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing, certification, and pressure relief. Mechanical design of a horizontal pressure vessel based on this standard had been done incorporating PV ELITE software. Analyses were carried out on head, shell, nozzle and saddle. The input parameters are type of material, pressure, temperature, diameter, and corrosion allowance. Analysis performed the calculations of internal and external pressure, weight of the element, allowable stresses, vessel longitudinal stress check, nozzle check and saddle check.

Simulation of Mass Transfer in Problems of Numerical Study of Heating of Cryogenic Products in a Horizontal Vessel

Simulation of Mass Transfer in Problems of Numerical Study of Heating of Cryogenic Products in a Horizontal Vessel

Unveiling the Use of Wide Horizontal Rim Vessels (Bronze Age Northwest Iberian Peninsula)

This paper addresses a “wide horizontal rim vessel” belonging to the collection of Fundação Sousa d’Oliveira (Azores). Although its provenance and the circumstances of its discovery are currently unknown, the authors contend that this vessel should be attributed to the Iberian Northwest and, more specifically, to the Portuguese territory, in line with the highly homogenous distribution of this type of pottery. A morphological and stylistic study has been carried out establishing its singularity with regards to the decorative composition of the rim, which is without parallel amongst dozens of vessels of the same “family”. During the study of this piece, it has been possible to observe traces of soot and organic residues deposited both on its interior and exterior surfaces, which is recurrent in these vessels. The nature of these substances has never been determined in previous studies. In this article, we present and discuss the results obtained from the chromatographic analyses of the organic residue traces found on the vessel.

Method for evaluating heat leakage in horizontal cryogenic vessels at any liquid level

Method for evaluating heat leakage in horizontal cryogenic vessels at any liquid level

Numerical studies of gas pull-through and liquid entrainment in gas–liquid flows through multi-branch manifolds

Flows of air–water and saturated steam–water mixtures in a horizontal cylindrical vessel with a single or several cylindrical outlets (branches) were investigated computationally using the volume of fluid (VOF) method to separate the phases and the delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) model to simulate turbulence. The time-dependent gas–liquid interface was resolved and the vertical distance between the interface elevation and the branch inlet was determined. The computed critical elevations at the onsets of gas pull-through (OGP) and liquid entrainment (OLE) in single-branch vessels were found to be in fair agreement with experimental values under comparable conditions. Simulations of gas–liquid flows in manifolds with three branches also predicted successfully OGP and OLE in the different branches. As an example of the applicability of the present method, we investigated a problem of interest to the CANDU nuclear reactor safety analysis, namely, the discharge of fluid through a small break at the top of a header model with 12 other branches (feeders), focusing on its dependence on the inlet flow rates.

Pressure fluctuation measurement in pressure vessels

Pressure vessels are mechanical devices that act as a reservoir of fluids at pressure more or less than atmospheric pressure. This research focuses on the application of the pressure vessel for hydraulic testing of hydro turbines to maintain uniform velocity profile and to suppress the pressure surge in the pipeline. An initial assumption for the design of a thin-walled horizontal type pressure vessel with the ellipsoidal type of head is based on the mathematical relations as per ASME code, Section VIII, Division I, for an operating pressure of 0.3 MPa and design pressure of 0.6 MPa. The pressure vessel has been placed, close to outlet of the main pump to prevent the water hammering in the pipeline. The measurement of the pressure fluctuations at the inlet, outlet, and inside of the vessel, due to the dynamic action of fluid forced by the pump are recorded. The study attempts to relate the use of pressure vessels to generate stable flow and pressure at the outlet for hydraulic testing of turbines.

On the validation of ATHLET 3-D features for the simulation of multidimensional flows in horizontal geometries under single-phase subcooled conditions

This paper provides an assessment of fluid transport and mixing processes inside the primary circuit of the test facility ROCOM through the numerical simulation of Test 2.1 with the system code ATHLET. The experiment represents an asymmetric injection of cold and non-borated water into the reactor coolant system (RCS) of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) to restore core cooling, an emergency procedure which may subsequently trigger a core re-criticality. The injection takes place at low velocity under single-phase subcooled conditions and presents a major challenge for the simulation in lumped parameter codes, due to multidimensional effects in horizontal piping and vessel arising from density gradients and gravity forces. Aiming at further validating ATHLET 3-D capabilities against horizontal geometries, the experiment conditions are applied to a ROCOM model, which includes a newly developed horizontal pipe object to enhance code prediction inside coolant loops. The obtained results show code strong simulation capabilities to represent multidimensional flows. Enhanced prediction is observed at the vessel inlet compared to traditional 1-D approach, whereas mixing overprediction from the descending denser plume is observed at the upper-half downcomer region, which leads to eventual deviations at the core inlet.

Design of Pile Foundation for Distillation Column

Abstract Equipment foundation is one of the most critical facility in every petrochemical, fertilizer, oil and gas plants. This equipment comprises distillation columns, vertical vessels, horizontal vessels, high pressure exchangers, reactors etc. Out of this equipment, distillation column is one of the most critical equipment due to its large diameter and height hence resulting into heavy dead load and heavy transverse loads at the base of column. Hence proper foundation system should be designed to cater all these loading without affecting the strength and serviceability of the foundation system. In most of the cases due to poor bearing capacity of soil one need to go for pile foundation. This paper summarizes the Indian code and process industry practices, design loads and load combinations to be adopted for design of pile foundation. One sample example is solved to evaluate the no of piles for column foundation by assuming suitable loading and vessel data.

A generalized equipment vulnerability model for the quantitative risk assessment of horizontal vessels involved in Natech scenarios triggered by floods

Severe NaTech scenarios may be triggered by the impact of floods on chemical and process installations. The currently available equipment vulnerability models addressing the potential failure of equipment caused by floods suitable for use in a quantitative risk assessment framework are mostly limited to the specific case of storage tanks, not addressing other types of process equipment. The present study aims at filling this gap, proposing a generalized vulnerability model applicable also to other types of horizontal cylindrical vessels widely used in the chemical and process industry and in oil and gas installations (e.g., shell and tube heat exchangers, separators, etc.). The generalized vulnerability model developed allows a simplified assessment of the possible structural damage due to floating or displacement caused by floodwater, based on floodwater height and velocity, and on detailed geometrical data of the vessel. Shortcut correlations were also developed to provide a preliminary screening, allowing the identification of the more vulnerable equipment. The models were applied to the analysis of an extended case study, in order to assess their suitability and the interest of the results provided in the framework of quantitative risk assessment of NaTech events triggered by floods.

Light‐field fundus imaging under astigmatism – An eye model study

AbstractPurposeOne strong risk factor for glaucoma is a suspicious optic nerve head appearance and an increase in depth. With the upcoming light‐field (LF) technology one‐shot 3D retinal imaging and measuring is possible. Due to optical aberrations such as astigmatism, the imaged depth can be distorted. The study presented here investigated the influence of astigmatism on LF image quality and depth estimation using an eye model.MethodsWe developed a new eye model that added astigmatism by integrating an additional cylindrical lens between the cornea and lens. We used cylindrical lenses from −4 to 0 dpt in 1 dpt steps in vertical and horizontal orientations. The fundus was modelled as a half hollow sphere with a radius of 10 mm and a central papilla with 0.8 mm depth. The fundus was coated with red acrylic lacquer, and vessels were drawn with a thin brush with black acrylic lacquer. LF fundus images (15 for each cylindrical lens and orientation) were taken with a fundus camera (FF450, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) equipped with an industrial LF camera (RX12, Raytrix GmbH, Germany). Depth measurements were performed with the Raytrix LF software (RxLive 5.0.046.0) as difference from a vertical vessel to a horizontal orientated vessel. The same measuring point was used for all images.ResultsThe LF images taken with a cylindrical lens show a visually poorer image quality. Depth estimates were only possible in the central image area. The fundus images show increasing depth differences between vertical and horizontal vessels with increasing astigmatism up to 0.37 mm at −4 dpt in contrast to the flat imaged fundus without cylindrical lens. The sign of the depth differences changes when the orientation of the inserted cylindrical lens is changed.ConclusionsThe imaged LF of a fundus of an astigmatic eye model is measurably distorted and affects vertical and horizontal structures differently. This must be taken into account when evaluating and interpreting LF depth measurements.