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PIPING SYSTEMS FLUIDFLOW

Software description
Piping Systems FluidFlow is "state-of-the-art" software for the solution of fluid flow through complex
piping networks. The performance of almost any type of line equipment - pumps, valves, orifices, control
valves, etc can be modelled. Equipment performance can be viewed graphically at the same time as the
system flowsheet is displayed.

Solves for flows in complex pipe networks


Almost any type of line equipment can be modelled
Darcy equation or Hazen-Williams for water flow
Extensive databases of user definable pipe schedules, fluids and
equipment performance characteristics
Graphical display of both input and ouput data
Simultaneous graphical display of the flowsheet, data input and
calculated results
Construction of the fluid network is in a familiar flowsheet format using click-and-drag to select piping
components from the toolbar in order to add to the model. Panning, zooming and cut-and-past operations
are all available to allow you to design your network with minimum effort and maximum flexibility.
FluidFlow provides the following features:

easy to change a variable in your network (say pump speed)


immediate display of the value of a changed variable
immediate display of a dependent variable (say flowrate or pressure)

Its therefore possible to model dozens of variations of a network in a very short time and to optimise your
pipework system.
FluidFlow utilises graphics wherever possible, both for the input of data and the display of results.

DATABASE
FluidFlow comes with 13 user-definable datasets for the storage of equipment performance characteristics
and the physical properties of fluids. Data is entered in tabular and/or equation format and graphically
displayed. Pump curves can be printed showing calculated duty points. The use of datasets greatly
reduces the volume of data input and encourages the use of consistent design data throughout an
organisation or project.

REPORTS
FluidFlow allows users to design the output format of reports to include any items of input information or
calculated results. Graphs can be included in reports. A Bill of Materials option is available.

MICROSOFT EXCEL
Microsoft Excel can be used as an Automation Server or as a Report Engine. Data can be changed in
Excel and ported back to FluidFlow for recalculation.

BENEFITS

By committing to Piping Systems FluidFlow you can effectively perform fluid flow designs because of

Proven reliability of the calculation engine and 15 years of experience in the production of fluid flow
software
Rapid network construction with build error feedback
Flow sheet, data input and results view integration enables the effect of changes to be immediately
available for evaluation
Hints and warnings help ensure you select the correct component

Features
General

Written in Delphi - a true 32-bit code requiring Windows 95/98/NT.


PC network compatible.
Ability to utilise Microsoft Excel as an Automation Server or as a Report Engine. Output data in
Excel can be used for Bills of Materials, quantity calculations, price lists, etc. Data can be changed
in Excel and ported back to Piping Systems FluidFlow for recalculation.
Pipe layout (flowsheet) always visible when viewing entered data or calculated results.
Intelligent use of colours. User can change pipe colours. Components and pipes containing
warnings are highlighted in red. Warnings are automatically triggered if a component is operating
outside its specified limits, viz insufficient NPSH for a pump or an unacceptable control valve
opening.
Cut, paste and copy all or part of a flowsheet. Cut and paste to a different flowsheet.
Equipment and fluid databases may be added to, copied and merged. Default data values can be
locked to ensure company-wide consistency. Individual databases can be allocated to separate
projects.
All Kf, K, pipe diameter, pipe roughness values obtained from datatables can be instantly
overridden from the input area. Overridden values are highlighted and can be reset at any time.
(For instance, the effect of scaling of pipes can be modelled. All pipes can be listed and sorted
according to size. Pipes of a particular size can then be selected and the ID and roughness
changed to reflect scaling in one simple operation).
Models multiple pumps, fans and control valves.
Any pipes may be designated Open or Closed - ideal for modelling multiple pump systems where
some pumps need to be switched of.
Arrows indicate calculated direction of flow on all pipes.
"Fly by" mouse pointer can show calculated result for each component simply by pointing.
Report Writer - all entered and calculated data can be selected for inclusion/exclusion in reports
Separate models may be displayed one flowsheet.
Bill of Materials option.

Incompressible Flow

Darcy equation is used for all liquids; Hazen Williams formula is an option for water.
Viscosity correction applied to end suction centrifugal pumps.
Affinity law correction to pump curve as speed or impeller diameter changed within model.
Automatic detection of insufficient NPSH.
Plot pump and system curves.

Compressible Flow

Steam physical property data is estimated according to IAPWS 97 guidelines.


Physical properties of a gas mixture can be estimated.

Choked conditions across orifice plates are detected and flow is restricted accordingly.

FLUIDFLOW SCREEN IMAGE: flowsheet


The flowsheet below shows a cooling water pumping system with two sets of pumps. The pump set
lower left has been "switched off" by closing the pipes downstream of the pumps (shown dotted).
The model was built by clicking on component icons on the toolbar to the left and dragging them onto
the worksheet. Pipes were rubber banded between components and coloured to add clarity in this case the hot pipes downstream of the heat exchangers were coloured fuchsia.
Entered data and calculated results are displayed to the right. The tabs allow different information
items to be displayed. On this screen capture results data for the upper pump is shown.

Use the scroll bars to view the entire image...

FLUIDFLOW SCREEN IMAGE: graphical display of results


FluidFlow makes extensive use of graphics for data entry and results display.

The pump capacity, efficiency and NPSH curves are shown with the duty point indicated as a red triangle.

FLUIDFLOW SCREEN IMAGE: results warnings


FluidFlow generates a range of warnings when equipment is operating outside set limits, for instance
inadequate NPSH as in this example. Other warnings enunciate if pumps are operating outside
minimum/maximum desired flowrates and control valves are opened/closed beyond specified limits.
The warnings do not prevent calculation but alert the user to a possible problem.

FLUIDFLOW SCREEN IMAGE: data entry


FluidFlow generates a range of warnings when equipment is operating outside set limits, for instance
inadequate NPSH as in this example. Other warnings enunciate if pumps are operating outside
minimum/maximum desired flowrates and control valves are opened/closed beyond specified limits.
The warnings do not prevent calculation but alert the user to a possible problem.

Download an evaluation version of Piping Systems FluidFlow in four separate files each of 1.44 Mbyte or
as one file of 5.0Mbyte.
Download Instructions: Right click and select 'Save Taget As' or 'Save this program to disk' option. The
Browser will display allowing you to save to your hard disk.
The four files should be saved to the same temporary folder on your hard disk.
To install, double click on the setup.exe file (or Run) and then follow the install Wizard. If you saved the
four files to the same folder, the install Wizard will automatically detect the the other three.
This version of Piping Systems FluidFlow is fully functional except that the fluids database is disabled such
that only a demo liquid and a demo gas can be used. The phydiscal properties of the demo fluids are not
sensible, but the calcuations performed are correct based on the values of density, viscosity and vapour
pressure.
Purchase of a full licence enables the database. Any models you develop with the demo version will be
fully operative if you subsequently purchase a full licence.

You can also download our "QuickStart" evaluation manual as an 18 page Word document. This will get
you building pipe network models within minutes.

Fluid Flow and Engineering


Software
Accutech 2000 Pty Ltd
http://www.accutech2000.com.au/FluidFlow/Fluidflow_Contents.html

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