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PIPELAB · Expertise

A system view.
Engineering depth.

Specialist analysis and coordinated design for transport, storage and pumping systems serving water, oil, gas and other process fluids, together with thermal systems and industrial processes.

01 / PIPELAB

Hydraulics

Hydraulic expertise across liquids and gases. From water and hydrocarbons to industrial process fluids, we assess transport, storage and pumping systems with models that reflect the properties of the medium and the operating conditions.

  • Steady-state and transient hydraulic studies
  • Equipment CAPEX and OPEX analysis
  • Optimisation of pipe diameters, wall thicknesses and steel grades
  • Pump sizing, selection and optimisation
  • Pipeline routing and system configuration assessment
  • Surge protection requirements and optimisation
  • Vent, drain and pipeline wall-thickness calculations
  • Feasibility, parameter and operating-scenario studies
Hydraulic Model for a Pump Station

Hydraulic Model for a Pump Station

Example from Project · Software: WANDA by Deltares

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Hydraulic Profile for a Pumped System

Hydraulic Profile for a Pumped System

Example from Project

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Our approach

  1. 01

    Assess the complete system

    We begin with an overall assessment of the pipeline routing, elevation profile, fluid properties, operating requirements and equipment interfaces.

  2. 02

    Optimise steady-state performance

    We balance pipe diameters, wall thicknesses and steel grades against pump head and pump operating conditions. CAPEX and OPEX analysis helps identify an economical combination of piping and equipment.

  3. 03

    Verify transient behaviour

    We simulate different load cases, such as pump trips, start-up and valve movements, to establish pressure extremes and determine the need for surge protection.

  4. 04

    Refine the design

    We refine the pumping, piping and protection concept to minimise investment and operating costs while meeting pressure limits, safety requirements and reliable-operation objectives.

02 / PIPELAB

Pipe Stress

Translate operating loads into reliable piping arrangements. We assess pipe stresses, support loads and equipment interfaces, including pump, tank and vessel nozzles, and model the effects of thermal expansion, pressure, gravity and earthquakes.

  • Piping stress analysis and code utilisation checks
  • Support concepts, forces and moments
  • Pump, tank and vessel nozzle loads, including expansion vessels
  • Seismic assessment and modelling of earthquake effects
  • Piping arrangement and 3D coordination
  • Isometric drawings and material take-offs
  • Coordination of mechanical and civil interfaces
Piping Stress Model

Piping Stress Model

Example

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Stress Ratios at Tees and Bends

Stress Ratios at Tees and Bends

Analysis example · red indicates stress exceedance · Software: AutoPIPE

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Our approach

  1. 01

    Assess the piping, materials, supports and equipment interfaces, and build the analysis model.

  2. 02

    Calculate the relevant load cases, including pressure, gravity, thermal expansion and seismic loads.

  3. 03

    Evaluate stress ratios and nozzle loads; optimise the layout, supports or material selection where required.

  4. 04

    Update the model and repeat the checks until the applicable stress limits and interface requirements are met.

  5. 05

    Export the material take-off (MTO) for the coordinated piping design.

03 / PIPELAB

Control Systems

Connect design intent with plant behaviour. We develop control and operating concepts for safe, reliable operation, define interlocks and overrides, and optimise controller performance across normal operation, start-up, shutdown and abnormal conditions.

  • Operating and control philosophies
  • Controller performance optimisation
  • Safe and reliable operating concepts
  • Safety interlocks, protective sequences and overrides
  • Functional description specifications
  • Piping and instrumentation diagrams
  • Control logic and DCS coordination
  • HAZOP participation and technical reviews
  • Functional and performance testing support
Excerpt of a Pump Station P&ID

Excerpt of a Pump Station P&ID

Example and Anonymised

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Pump Control and Override Concept

Pump Control and Override Concept

Example and Anonymised

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Our approach

  1. 01

    Understand the operating requirements

    Review the process, hydraulic behaviour and equipment constraints to define normal, start-up, shutdown and abnormal operating scenarios.

  2. 02

    Develop the control and protection concept

    Define control loops, interlocks, overrides and operating sequences, and coordinate the P&IDs, functional descriptions and DCS interfaces.

  3. 03

    Verify and optimise performance

    Assess controller response and loop interactions, refine control parameters, and support functional testing and commissioning for stable, reliable operation.

04 / PIPELAB

Process Engineering

Engineering solutions for a wide range of industrial plants and processes: thermal installations, incineration and waste-to-energy plants, chemical processing, oil and gas systems, and industrial utilities. We combine process design, equipment integration, CFD analysis and HAZOP studies to understand plant behaviour, improve performance and develop safe, practical operating concepts.

  • Industrial process concepts, plant integration and technical solutions
  • HAZOP studies for industrial plants
  • CFD analysis for flow distribution, mixing, heat transfer and pressure losses
  • Process flow diagrams and P&IDs
  • Heat and mass balances and thermal-system assessment
  • Equipment sizing, selection and process interfaces
  • Heat recovery, steam, hot-water and thermal-oil circuits
  • Oil and gas transfer, storage and utility systems
  • Operating philosophies and multidisciplinary coordination
CFD · Flow and Velocity Visualisation

CFD · Flow and Velocity Visualisation

Only Illustrative Visualisation

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Simplified Storage System P&ID

Simplified Storage System P&ID

Example and Anonymised

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Our approach

  1. 01

    Define the process and operating cases

    Establish the process requirements, fluid properties, operating conditions and plant interfaces to develop a clear engineering basis.

  2. 02

    Analyse and optimise the solution

    Use heat and mass balances, equipment calculations and CFD where appropriate to assess flow behaviour, mixing, thermal performance and design options.

  3. 03

    Review hazards and coordinate the design

    Carry out HAZOP studies, develop risk-reduction measures and integrate agreed actions into the process documentation, equipment interfaces and operating concept.

05 / PIPELAB

Beyond individual disciplines.

Process, piping arrangement and mechanical design are coordinated with civil and electrical interfaces. Deliverables are developed around the needs of designers, contractors, equipment suppliers and operating teams.

A calculation is valuable when it leads to a clear, practical engineering decision.

One continuous engineering thread

From first question
to first flow.

01

Feasibility & tender

Test the options early. We investigate parameters, operating concepts and system configurations to support informed project decisions.

Parameter studies · Concept development · Bid support
02

Detailed design

Resolve the interfaces. We connect hydraulic analysis, piping, equipment and control requirements in coordinated engineering documents.

Hydraulic studies · Pipe stress · P&IDs · Operating philosophy
03

Review & verification

Challenge the assumptions. We review third-party designs and investigate specific issues with a focus on system behaviour and practical implementation.

Independent review · Design checks · Technical coordination
04

Commissioning & operation

Carry the design into the field. We prepare procedures, support testing and help turn engineering intent into controlled operation.

Line fill · Start-up · Performance testing · O&M documentation
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Discuss your project
Pipelab GmbH · Swiss Headquarters

Zurich

Technoparkstrasse 1
8005 Zurich
Switzerland

Pipelab Middle East · Subsidiary

Riyadh

Servcorp · Olaya Towers, B, L25&28
Olaya St / Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz St
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

www.pipelabarabia.com
Direct contact

Contact

info@pipelab.ch
+41 78 716 22 03

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