Mechanical Engineering Consultants Case Studies

Finite Element Analysis

Thermal analysis and NDT of crack in reactor vessel – Solvent Manufacturing
Gallery
Thermal analysis and NDT of crack in reactor vessel – Solvent Manufacturing

Failure Analysis, FEA, FEA Thermal, Uncategorized

Thermal analysis and NDT of crack in reactor vessel – Solvent Manufacturing

FEA Thermal Service Case Study DC White was approached by a large European solvent manufacturing company who had unwittingly been running one of their reactor vessels above its design temperature. The additional thermal load already placed on the vessel meant that it was removed from service and a site visit organised to carry out Non Destructive Testing (NDT) on the welds connecting the external limpet coils to [...]

Vibration Analysis

Bespoke Modelling on a Re-boiler – Chemical Plant

Thermal analysis – bespoke modelling This case study describes an analysis performed earlier this year on a Heavy-End re-boiler, which was identified with a potential thermal transient problem. The heat exchanger is normally used for heating a flow of hazardous liquor with a pressurised steam flow. The vessel is a horizontal cylinder with 2 dished ends which create end plenums, capped by 2 tube-sheets 9m apart. [...]

Pipework Analysis

Superheater – Boiler Penetrations

Seismic Integrity Assessment Case Study DC White were tasked to assess the seismic integrity of the Hunterston B & Hinkley Point B boilers, in particular the superheater steam pipes and their penetrations into the reactor pressure boundary. These were seen to be potentially vulnerable to earthquake motions with the possibility that the boilers could topple and release steam into the reactor. The seismic response is dominated by [...]

Failure Analysis

Exploding Wallpaper Stripper – Expert Witness

A water reservoir for a domestic wallpaper stripper exploded causing scalds to the operator. The unit appeared undamaged, so why should a seemingly faultless unit over-pressurize? Investigation into the nature of the unfortunate operator’s injuries showed that it resulted from a combination of cold weather and a failure to read the instructions – the steam pipe was full of ice preventing steam flow, so the operator held the [...]

Design Services

Vibration analysis on optical laser
Gallery
Vibration analysis on optical laser

Bespoke Design, FEA, FEA Thermal, FEA Vibration

Vibration analysis on optical laser

The Good the Bad and the Wrong One of our clients was experiencing trouble with unacceptable levels of vibration seen at optical laser used for laser interferometer. This problem was confounded by the additional requirement of a more stringent specification requirement on entering a new market. DC White were brought on board as design partners to develop a solution which would work in the new market [...]

Expert Witness

Bespoke Projects

Vibration Case Study Shorts

1. 3801 VIBRATING CONVEYOR The support structure for this conveyor system is over 10 m tall and utilises anti-vibration mounts (AVMs). The requirement was to establish that these AVM's were fit for purpose and that their transmitted vibration would not lead to fatigue cracks in the structure. This involved a mix of vibration theory and finite element analysis. Special attention was required for the design of bracing [...]