HISC Assessment of Subsea Gate Valve
Project Overview
PDL was engaged by a leading valve manufacturer to assess the integrity of a high-pressure subsea gate valve intended for use in a demanding offshore environment. The client needed confidence that the design would perform safely throughout its operational life and wanted to identify any potential integrity issues before manufacturing commenced. Using advanced finite element analysis and structural integrity assessment techniques, PDL evaluated the valve under realistic operating conditions, providing early insight into potential risks and supporting the delivery of a robust, reliable design.
Our Solution
Our engineers deployed a comprehensive suite of simulation tools, including ANSYS Mechanical for structural analysis and ANSYS Fluent for thermal-fluid interaction. We developed a detailed 3D model of the component, applying realistic boundary conditions and material properties. Key aspects of our solution included:
Material Characterization : Incorporating advanced material models to accurately represent behavior under irradiation and high temperatures
Topology Optimization : Identifying optimal material distribution to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Thermal-Structural Coupling : Simulating the interaction between temperature fields and structural deformation.
Fatigue Life Prediction : Performing high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue analysis to predict component lifespan.
The assessment successfully identified the areas of the valve most susceptible to degradation and potential failure under service conditions, allowing design improvements to be implemented before manufacturing began. Critical regions requiring modification were highlighted early, enabling the client to address issues when changes were still cost-effective and straightforward to implement. PDL provided practical engineering recommendations to improve the design and reduce technical risk, while also identifying areas where additional verification would strengthen overall confidence in the product's long-term performance. By undertaking the assessment during the design phase, the client avoided costly rework, reduced programme risk and gained assurance that the valve would meet the demanding requirements of subsea operation. The project demonstrated the value of early-stage design assurance, helping the client optimise the design, improve reliability and progress towards production with confidence.
Client: Undisclosed
Sector: Oil & Gas
Service Provided: Advanced Analysis, FEA, HISC Assessment, Design Verification, DNVGL-RP-F112
Challenge: Demonstrate resistance to Hydrogen Induced Stress Cracking in a high-pressure duplex stainless steel subsea gate valve
Outcome: Early identification of high-risk regions, design improvements prior to manufacture, enhanced confidence in valve integrity and compliance
