Development of Methods of Optimal Design of High-Pressure Releasable Connections

Abstract

The basic assumptions of a technique of optimal design of releasable hoop connections developed at Irkutsk-NIIkhimmash are considered. The technique is based on the use of the finite element method in combination with application methods of multidimensional optimization and makes it possible to design a hoop connection of minimal mass while simultaneously satisfying strength and air-tightness constraints. Through the use of the proposed technique and a computer program that is part of the COMPASS software system, we were able to introduce a number of releasable hood connections of standard sizes at the Chemical Plant of Angarsk Petrochemical Company of Rosneft as well as optimize the costs of maintenance and repair of the high-pressure equipment and reduce the rate of industrial accidents occurring in the course of repair operations.