Development of computational tools for the modeling and analysis of corrosion defects in pressure vessels
Gustavo Lima do Nascimento1; Antonio Almeida Silva1; Ingrid Thayse Pereira Lourenço Agra1
1 Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG
doi:10.20906/CPS/CILAMCE2017-1036
Resumo
The present article have the objective to develop computational model in order to represent generalized corrosion defects. Softwares based on Finit Elements Method (FEM) were used to build and analyse a tubular model where the defect have a rectangular rounded borders form in way to better examine the thickness loss. The mesh discretization was done to get a better convergence associated to less computational cost. Usually the automatic mesh generation does not associate this facxtors, beeing necessary to manipulate manually. The result should be avaliated behind the API 579/ASME FFS - 1, wich is based on methodology Fitness-For-Service to measure the operational conditions of equipments that work with pressure gage. This norm use diferente levels of conservatism to value the intensity of defects beeing used the level three in this work. Analyse the structural integrity of a pressure vessel is a big concern of mechanical engenieers at process industry, motivated for the sensibility of these equipments and the risk associated to their failure. Corrrosion is considerated a big damage mecanism and when it works associated to mechanical solicitations can reduce drastically the life expectation of the piece. The norm API 579/ASME FFS-1 avaliate throught the methodology Fitness-for-Service (FFS) if componentes under pressure could keep working even they have some structural damnification. To avaliate the defects was used computional models based on numeric methods, being necessary a good model created for a engineer with good knowledge of the problem to ensure the relevance of simulation. When carefully created it is a good and economical option to study and predict the comportament of the vessels with corrosion defects and if they still can work, creating accurate results. The models should be develop meticulously to ensure the best analyse through the computional tools. For this purpose, the geometry follow the conception of tubular vessels with rectangular geometry and rounded corners located inside the vessel
Palavras-chave: Computational modeling; Structural integrity; Pressure vessels; FEM; corrosion