Dynamic and Fatigue Analysis of Dense Phase Transfer Lines Subjected to Slug Flow

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 11

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Mohammed Tajammul Hussain, Mohammed Faisal Ahmed, Mohammed Aadil Ahmed

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I11P120

How to Cite?

Mohammed Tajammul Hussain, Mohammed Faisal Ahmed, Mohammed Aadil Ahmed, "Dynamic and Fatigue Analysis of Dense Phase Transfer Lines Subjected to Slug Flow," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 11, pp. 272-275, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I11P120

Abstract:

Pipe failures in dense phase transfer lines were detected in a Polyethylene (PE) granule process plan due to excessive vibration. A dynamic time–history analysis and a fatigue evaluation were performed to identify the root cause and mitigate vibration, in addition to the existing static stress analysis study. The piping system is designed for slug flow, in which moving solid/liquid material which is driven by gas pockets generates various transient forces at elbows. Time–History Inputs (TIH) and Time–History Location (THL) files were, as a result, constructed from the vendor slug forces, elbow geometry, and inter–elbow distances. Unlike the static profiles, time–history analysis here applies to force–time data directly and then evaluates the response incrementally through each event. Further analysis showed that these static methods tend to overpredict the stresses combined with dynamic time–history analysis, while the fatigue evaluation confirms a safe mode of operation over the overall expected life cycle. Time–history dynamics is essential for any realistic stress and fatigue predictions in slug-loaded transfer lines and avoiding unnecessary overdesign. This study provides opportunities to investigate more details for condition monitoring maintainability gaps, as well as to resolve the problem.

Keywords:

Dense phase transfer line, Dynamic analysis, Fatigue life, Piping systems, Slug flow.

References:

[1] Yehuda Taitel, Dvora Barnea, and A.E. Dukler, “Modelling Flow Pattern Transitions for Steady upward Gas-Liquid Flow in Vertical Tubes,” AIChE Journal, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 345-354, 1980.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Gang Liu et al., “Research on the Dynamic Responses of Simply Supported Horizontal Pipes Conveying Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Slug Flow,” Processes, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Time History Analysis of Piping Systems, Finglow Consultants Ltd. [Online]. Available: https://www.finglowconsultants.co.uk/time-history-analysis-of-piping-systems
[4] Ralph I. Stephens et al., Metal Fatigue in Engineering, 2nd ed., Wiley, pp. 1-496, 2000.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] BPVC.VIII.1 - BPVC Section VIII-Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels Division 1, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2025.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]