Pipe network flow analysis
Pipe network flow analysisKeywords:Rebis, CAE, Software, Flow
Rebis®, noted for its plant design and management software, recently released its Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Workgroup, including a major upgrade to its PlantFLOW software application for pipe network flow analysis. The Windows® based PlantFLOW is Rebis' software solution for calculation of steady state pressures, flow velocities and temperatures in gas or liquid piping networks used to size pipes, balance flows, select equipment and evaluate different valve scenarios.
PlantFLOW V6.0 is reported to provide the industry's first pipe network flow software product with options to utilize 3D geometry along with the ability to import 3D models from industry standard Plant Design CAD systems including Rebis's AutoPLANT® and Intergraph PDS. The new PlantFLOW application also has a bi-directional model interface with Rebis's AutoPIPE® software for piping stress analysis.
In order to more accurately simulate systems with multi-component, non-ideal gas or liquid mixtures, PlantFLOW V6.0 has coupled its flow equation with ASME steam table equations, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)Supertrapp and American Gas Association (AGA) Report 8 thermophysical models and fluid databases.
"PlantFLOW does not assume ideal gas or constant 'average' properties, or use other simplifications," said Darrell Foster, Rebis's CAE sales and marketing manager. "Coupling proven thermodynamic models with the pipe network flow equation is the most accurate approach – an approach taken by PlantFLOW that is novel among pipe flow analysis software programs."
Other major improvements claimed to PlantFLOW V6.0 include object-based graphics which reportedly enable users to quickly make changes and evaluate"what if" scenarios by selecting ranges on the graphic model. Also included is the ability to visualize system performance problems that exceed user specified criteria through color-coded graphics and pop-up data windows, as an alternative to manual review of output reports. By graphically selecting a range of points, with one command the user clicks on the model in order to make global changes to pipe diameters, valve loss, pipe roughness and other parameters, or check differences in pressure, velocity or temperature between any two points.
Details available from: Rebis. Tel: +1 925 933 2525; Web site: www.rebis.com
