KEH Energy Engineering

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CAEPIPE

KEH uses the CAEPIPE (prounounced "K-pipe") program prduced by SST Systems of San Jose, California. This program allows rapid assessment of the flexibility of piping systems and produces a large volume of reports that provides all the essential information about the movement, forces, and moments within the piping system.

WHY ANALYZE PIPING FLEXIBILITY?

IT'S THE LAW!

All hazardous material piping systems are supposed to be subjected to analysis according to OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals

IT HELPS PREVENT DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT

Analysis produces precise values of forces and moments at equipment connections so forces at pump, turbine, and pressure vessel nozzles are known. This information proves to be even more important than the stress in the piping because the loads allowed by API-610 (for pumps) and Sm-23 (for turbines) are considerably lower than loads imposed by a system with moderate pipe stresses.

IT REDUCES POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE

If the piping is not analyzed the installed system could have a localized high point of stress that will weaken the piping until there is a violent rupture. Steam and high temperature hot water piping failures are extremely hazardous and must be avoided.