PlantFLOW

PlantFLOW is a software program used to design and analyse gas or liquid piping networks, including systems with loops and branches. Using an intuitive mouse driven interface, PlantFLOW's architecture and unique modelling features reduce the time required for piping flow analysis from days to hours on typical systems.

Engineers can accurately simulate multiple design scenarios in minutes while sharing data with plant design CAD and piping stress analysis. 

Features and benefits of PlantFLOW

PlantFLOW's unmatched capabilities translate into better designs in less time than ever before:

• Enables users to easily build piping systems of any size or complexity and calculate pressures, temperatures and flow velocities throughout the entire network to evaluate design alternatives.
• The only piping flow analysis software which works using 3D "real world" piping models along with interfaces to CAD and piping stress to minimise errors and simplify the design process.
• Typical PlantFLOW applications include optimal pipe sizing and layout, equipment selection, valve sizing and flow equalisation analysis for manifolds and headers.
• Gas or liquid networks with program and user defined fluid libraries
• Handles branches and loops in open or closed networks
• Extensive library of component K-factor expressions
• AGA-8 and Peng-Robinson equation of state models for calculations of compressibility and thermodynamic properties of gases and gas mixtures
• Simple or complex Heat transfer analysis
• Import Rebris AutoPLANT, PRO-PIPE and intergraph PDS plant design CAD models. Two way interface with AutoPIPE piping stress analysis
• Leading edge 3-D graphics for input and graphic output review with zoom, pan, rotate, mouse point & click. Single line isometric or solid models
• Option to turn piping sections on or off to analyse different design scenarios
• Graphical copy and paste of repetitive sections
• Graphically highlight sections to modify or delete pipe properties, heat transfer parameters, valve data, flow direction, pressures and other variables
• Automatic detection of choked flow
• Fixed loss or variable loss models as a function of flow
• Darcy Weisbach, Hazen-Williams, Weymouth, Panhandle A & B friction models
• Volume and mass flow options
• Imperial, SI, metric, user defined units
• Option to set a pressure at any point
• Explicit modelling of pumps and compressors including equipment in series or parallel
• Option to calculate required pump or compressor horsepower
• Heat exchanger models for shell and tube, single pass and crossflows
• Closely spaced bend-bend and ben-tee interaction coefficients
• Loss models for orifice plates, valves, straightening vanes, turbine meters, tees, wyes, elbows, strainers, expansions and contractions
• Automatic calculation of friction factors
• Variable fluid properties throughout the system
• Networks up to 2,500 pipes, 500 junctions