PVElite
pressure vessel design and analysis software
PVElite is a graphical-based, easy-to-use software program that
provides engineers, designers, estimators, fabricators and inspectors
with complete design capabilities of tall towers, horizontal vessels,
individual vessel and heat exchanger components.
PVElite has a component analysis module, CodeCalc, which is also
available as a separate program. PVElite can be used to design,
bid or re-rate a wide variety of vessels and vessel components in
accordance with ASME Code Section VIII Division 1, Division 2 and
PD5500 (British) rules.
The Graphical User Interface, which collects the model description,
ensures that the model is correct. Analysis is interactive with
intermediate results conveniently displayed on the screen. Context-sensitive
help provides instant technical assistance for each data field.
Output is presented in an orderly and concise format with reports
available for every step of the analysis.
Input/Operational Capabilities
Building even complex vessel models in PVElite is quick and easy.
As each major element is added, the graphical display is updated
to show the new element in relation to the others. This image confirms
the content of the model. Clicking on the element in the plot brings
up the tabular data for that element. As details (such as nozzles,
insulation or trays) are added they too are illustrated, and clicking
on them will bring up their data for review.
PVElite has following basic elements:
- Cylindrical Shells
- Elliptical, Spherical, Torispherical, Conical and Flat heads
- Conical Sections (including knuckles)
- Body Flanges
- Skirts with Basering details
The following details can be attached on the basic elements:
- Stiffening Rings
- Nozzles
- Dead weight and applied loads
- Platform (both circular and rectangular) and Ladder
- Trays and Packing
- Saddles, Legs and Lugs
- Fluid
- Insulation and Lining
With a simply click-on-an-icon, the component is added to the vessel.
This provides a logical and intuitive modelling of the vessel.
Other features include toolbars that can be positioned any way
on the screen for optimum usability and a status bar that constantly
displays an element's required thickness (due to pressure), vertical
height, maximum allowable working pressure in operating condition
(MAWP) and maximum allowable working pressure in new and cold condition
(MAPnc).
This insures that the users are always aware of how changes to
a design affect the vessel. The user can also instruct the program
to automatically set the thickness of each element to the minimum
required thickness, while inputting the vessel.
PVElite includes complete material property databases, for ASME
Sec. VIII, Div. 1 and Div. 2; and PD5500 (British code). Hence the
user can easily select any code material and can also create a new
one.
Features like automatic carrying forward the relevant data for
newly added elements, copying input from one detail to another and
1-click sharing of data among elements aid in faster modelling.
PVElite allows users to enter data in English, SI or any user-defined
units. Using the Create/Review facility users can create their own
units and then change units on fly.
The unique List Processors provides a concise method to review
specific data sets, for example all the nozzles in the model. The
fields in the List Processor tables are active, allowing user modification
of the data.
Design Codes and Analysis Capabilities
PVElite is a comprehensive solution for a complete, structural design
of tall process towers and horizontal vessels.
Design Codes and Standards Implemented
This software keeps pace with the development of vessel design codes
and standards by incorporating code changes and releasing product
updates as these changes become mandatory. The codes and standards
implemented in PVElite include:
- ASME BPV Code Section VIII, Division 1 & 2 - Rules for the
Construction of Pressure Vessels
- British Standard PD 5500 - Unfired fusion welded pressure vessels
(formerly known as BS 5500)
- ASCE 7 - Minimum Design Loads for Buildings & Other Structures
- International Building Code 2000
- Uniform Building Code
- National Building Code of Canada
- Indian standard (for Wind and Seismic load)
- ASME/ANSI B 16.5 - Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
- Standards of the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association
(TEMA)
- ASME B31.3 - Process Piping
The program includes following databases:
- Material properties- Including the Allowable Stress and Yield
Stress tables from ASME Sec. VIII, Div1and Div 2, PD5500 and TEMA.
- AISC structural steel database.
- ANSI flange dimension database.
- ANSI pipe schedule database.
- Default Basering dimension database.
- Forged Vessel Connection catalog
Analysis Capabilities
PVElite has a Component Analysis Module (also known as CodeCalc)
and a complete integrated vessel modeling module.
The integrated vessel module of PVElite can perform both new design
and re-rate of an existing design. For new vessel design, PVElite
can quickly set required wall thickness for heads, shells and cones,
and size components for valid combinations of pressure (internal
and external), deadweight (erected, operating and hydrostatic test
conditions), and wind and seismic live loads. The program sums the
weights of each element and all its details to calculate the compressive
stresses in the vessel wall. The live loads bend the vessel, creating
both tensile and compressive stresses in the vessel wall. Pressure,
too, causes either tensile or compressive longitudinal stresses
in the vessel wall. PVElite combines these stresses and adjusts
the vessel wall on an element-by-element basis to ensure that this
new vessel meets the minimum requirements for both tension and compression.
This software is also quick with vessel re-rates. Simply update
the corrosion allowance or change the temperature and pressure requirements
to have the program re-calculate the vessel's MAWP-- including the
MAWP of attached flanges.
Amir M. Heshmati is the managing director of ImageGrafix. He
can be reached at amheshmati@image-grafix.com
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