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Oil and Gas Industry Products

Written by Anup Kumar Dey in Process

Both crude oil and Petroleum are classified as fossil fuels because they are made up of hydrocarbon mixtures derived from pre-dinosaur creatures and plants that live in the ocean (diatoms). The remains of these plants and animals were preserved in the sediment and rock that accumulated over millions of years. The relics today referred to as crude oil or Petroleum were subjected to extreme levels of heat and pressure within these layers. In this discussion, the term “petroleum” refers to oil that is obtained by crushing rocks.

After crude oil has been recovered from the ground, it is transported to a refinery to undergo additional processing to produce more refined petroleum products. These goods derived from Petroleum include but are not limited to, certain oil and gas industry products such as gasoline, distillates such as diesel fuel and heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, jet fuel, waxes, asphalt, and lubricating oils, to name just a few examples. A wide range of petroleum products and their uses are explained below in detail.

Properties of Petroleum

Physical properties of petroleum span various variations, such as its viscosity, density, boiling point, and color. Heavy fractions like asphaltene contain a greater concentration of metals than saturated and aromatic fractions. Light Petroleum may include trace levels of nitrogen and Sulphur, while heavier or extra-heavy crude oil is more likely to have higher nitrogen and Sulphur concentrations.

There are examples of Petroleum in the natural world in all three possible phases: solid, liquid, and gas. Petroleum fluids can be any shade from dark brown to bluish-black or black and may or may not exhibit bloom or fluorescence. In its solid or nearly solid-state, Petroleum is commonly referred to as “pitch” due to its dark color. After the lighter fractions have moved or evaporated, it was thought that these deposits would form. Gaseous petroleum deposits, sometimes including gasoline deposits, are also known as natural gas deposits.

Petroleum contains a wide variety of hydrocarbons, including simpler alkanes and more complex ones like cyclohexenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and asphaltenes. The building blocks of both petrochemicals and Petroleum are carbon and hydrogen. The chemical properties of petroleum can vary considerably from one another due to the significant number of methods by which the elements above can mix.

Top Petroleum Products and Their Uses

There is a list of oil and gas industry products. Some of these petroleum products and their uses are:

Gasoline

There is no difference between Gasoline and petrol, both refer to the same product. This clear liquid is produced as a byproduct of the fractional distillation process, which is applied to crude oil. Because of its high demand and extensive distribution, its price has been seen to climb and fall over the past many years.

Gasoline can be used in various devices and processes in addition to motor vehicles, compressors, and generators. Three main requirements must be met by gasoline before it can be used in an internal combustion engine. The fire must be able to burn evenly, that it be able to be started quickly in cold weather, and that it complies with all environmental standards.

Jet Fuel

Jet fuel production, which is used in aircraft worldwide, currently consumes around 10% of the crude oil mined worldwide. In the same vein as diesel, it is a blend of hydrocarbons, the precise composition of which differs depending on the source of the Petroleum. Kerosene’s primary purpose as a light source may no longer be as crucial as it once was, but it is still widely used worldwide as a fuel for cooking, as a space heater, and as a fuel for modern jet engines.

Even when exposed to the low temperatures typical of high-altitude flight, jet fuels should maintain their purity and ability to flow freely without any wax particles. The boiling point for jet fuel is -50 degrees Celsius. The fuel must be free of any particles of water that may be suspended in it so that ice does not form inside the fuel system.

Diesel Fuel and Heating Oil

Diesel fuel, sometimes known as diesel oil, is a flammable liquid used to fuel diesel engines. In most cases, it is manufactured using crude oil fractions that have lower volatility compared to those used to manufacture gasoline.

Diesel fuel is a type of fuel that is frequently utilized in internal combustion engines. These engines may be found in vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, and trains. In addition, it is used in gas turbines and other engines that use external combustion. Diesel has a higher energy and power density than gasoline. Diesel is more potent per unit of volume.

Lubricating Oils

Mineral oils are a type of lubricating oil that is obtained from various mineral sources. They are primarily made up of the distillation of petroleum hydrocarbons, which account for 80–90% of their composition, and they comprise 10–20% additives that affect the characteristics of the oil. Appliances that use this chemical as a source of heat or a coolant, for example, in the kitchen, the automobile, or other places, are highly prevalent. The temperature at which liquefied petroleum gas begins to boil is significantly lower than 25 degrees Celsius.

The viscosity of the lubricating oil is the primary criterion for classifying different types. The needs range from a dense, sticky material used to open gears or wire ropes to a fragile oil required for the high-speed spindles of textile machinery. In the middle of these two extremes is a broad spectrum of items, each with unique qualities. Oils for automobiles make up the most valuable portion of the market’s product offering.

Waxes

Kerosene and paraffin are two terms that are frequently interchanged; nevertheless, paraffin is a more refined and purified form of kerosene. Because of this, it is more suited for usage in the home, where less soot is produced when it is burned.

In addition to its function as a lubricant, paraffin wax has a solid state and a waxy consistency. Most of the time, it is stored in a room with a stable temperature. Paraffin, which has a melting temperature above 370 degrees Celsius, is used to make a wide variety of products, including waxing materials like Sealand and crayons, wax for surfboards and floors, candles, and cosmetics like Vaseline.

Asphalt

Asphalt, which can be either black or brown, is a substance that resembles Petroleum and can either be a sticky liquid or glassy solid in consistency. Mining it from subsurface sources is one option, although it can also be obtained as a byproduct of the processing of Petroleum.

The asphalt used for these applications can take the form of a thin membrane sprayed on and then covered with earth for protection against weathering and mechanical damage. Alternatively, the asphalt can be of a greater thickness and typically include riprap, as is the case with dam facings, canal and reservoir linings, and other harbor and sea constructions (crushed rock). Asphalt is used in various applications, including coatings, floor tiling, roofs, soundproofing, waterproofing, and other aspects of building construction, in addition to several industrial products, such as batteries. An asphaltic emulsion is made by suspending tiny globules of asphalt in water, and this emulsion is subsequently put to use for various applications. The following table lists most of the products produced by the petroleum industry:

Oil and Gas Industry Products
TelephonesCamerasBandagesHair CurlersDrinking CupsAmmoniaGasoline
SolventsDiesel fuelMotor OilBearing GreaseHeart ValvesCrayonsParachutes
InkFloor WaxBallpoint PensFootball CleatsEnamelPillowsDishes
UpholsterySweatersBoatsInsecticidesAnestheticsArtificial TurfArtificial limbs
Bicycle TiresSports Car BodiesNail PolishFishing luresDenturesModel CarsFolding Doors
DressesTiresGolf BagsPerfumesCold creamMovie filmContact lenses
CassettesDishwasher partsTool BoxesShoe PolishFan BeltsCar EnamelShaving Cream
Motorcycle HelmetCaulkingPetroleum JellyTransparent TapeRefrigeratorsGolf BallsToothpaste
FootballsDetergentsTentsHouse PaintSurf BoardsShower CurtainsSafety Glasses
CD PlayerFaucet WashersAntisepticsClotheslineClothesToothbrushesIce Chests
CurtainsFood PreservativesBasketballsSoapCombsCD’s & DVD’sPaint Brushes
Vitamin CapsulesAntihistaminesPursesShoesVaporizersBalloonsSun Glasses
DashboardsCortisoneDeodorantShoelace AgletsNylon RopeCandlesTrash Bags
PuttyDyesPanty HoseRefrigerantWater PipesHand LotionRoller Skates
PercolatorsLife JacketsRubbing AlcoholLiningsShampooWheelsPaint Rollers
SkisTV CabinetsShag RugsElectrician’s TapeGuitar StringsLuggageAspirin
Tool RacksCar Battery CasesEpoxyPaintAntifreezeFootball HelmetsAwnings
MopsSlacksInsect RepellentOil FiltersDenture AdhesiveLinoleumIce Cube Trays
UmbrellasYarnFertilizersHair ColoringSpeakersPlastic WoodElectric Blankets
RoofingToilet SeatsFishing RodsLipstickTennis RacketsRubber CementFishing Boots
EyeglassesSynthetic RubberGlycerinDice   
Table 1: Products Made from Petroleum

Indirect products obtained from Petroleum

CDs and DVDs

The creation of CDs and DVDs involves the utilization of polycarbonate plastics, which are generated from Petroleum. When compact discs were first manufactured, lubricants made from Petroleum were necessary to ensure that the discs could spin freely.

Chewing Gum

Petroleum wax is used as the starting material in the production of chewing gum. This medication is permitted by the FDA, provided that particular UV absorbance constraints are satisfied. The same paraffin wax coating minimizes foaming while preparing cheese, fresh vegetables, and chicken nuggets. Also, some over-the-counter medications for gas relief contain paraffin wax.

Aspirin

Without the use of Petroleum, one of the world’s most widely prescribed medicines could not be produced. Benzene, a hydrocarbon derived from Petroleum, is utilized to treat pain and inflammation.

Clothing

You probably have quite a few pieces of polyester clothes, even if you strive to wear solely wool or cotton. Sixty percent of the world’s clothes are made from polyester, a synthetic fabric derived from petroleum. We can recycle cotton garments, but polyester garments cannot be recycled in this manner.

Dentures

Dentures can be constructed using various components, such as acrylic resin, a hydrocarbon petroleum product, porcelain, metal, nylon, and even nylon fibers. The hue of this acrylic resin can alter to make it appear more like gum by mimicking its texture. Since oil is also an ingredient in toothpaste, consuming it might contribute to the upkeep of healthy teeth. The widespread use of poloxamer 407, derived from Petroleum, facilitates the dissolution of oil-based compounds in water.

Lipstick

It’s possible to make lipstick and other cosmetics out of paraffin wax, a synthetic wax also frequently used to produce chewing gum and scented candles.

Shampoo

A cosmetic spray called dry shampoo, also known as liquified petroleum gas is applied to wash and air-dried hair freshly. Propane and butane are the two components that makeup liquefied petroleum gas, also known by their acronym LPG. Keep in mind, as well, that the refining of oil results in the production of petrochemicals, which are then employed in the manufacturing process of the plastic shampoo bottle. This cycle includes items such as plastic water bottles and other everyday plastics.

Fig. 1 below shows a comprehensive list of products made from the oil and gas industry.

List of Oil and Gas Industry Products
Fig. 1: List of Oil and Gas Industry Products

Conclusion

Tar (or oil) sands on the earth’s surface and underground pools or basins in the microscopic cracks and fissures inside sedimentary rocks contain crude oil and other hydrocarbons in liquid or gaseous form. Petrol is the term used to describe fuels refined from crude oil and gas’s naturally occurring hydrocarbons.

The manufacture of petrochemicals can also use coal, natural gas, and biomass. Density, viscosity, and boiling point variations are the most frequently cited examples of the physical properties of petroleum. The oil and gas industry products include gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, diesel fuel, asphalt, road oil, and feedstocks. These petroleum products and their uses include manufacturing the chemicals, polymers, and synthetic materials that are included in virtually every product we use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which product derived from Petroleum has been used the most frequently daily?

Gasoline use in the United States is far higher than any other petroleum product. In 2021, the United States used around 8.8 million barrels per day, or 369 million gallons per day, of finished motor gasoline, which accounted for approximately 44% of the country’s overall consumption of Petroleum.

Do you know how to characterize the chemical properties of Petroleum?

The primary components of Petroleum are hydrogen and carbon; however, it also contains minute amounts of other elements, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and various metals, such as vanadium, cobalt, and nickel. Alkanes (also known as paraffin), naphthenes, aromatics, and hetero compounds are a few examples of the most common organic molecules.

How many products can you think of related to the oil industry?

There are around 6,000 everyday oil and gas industry products, including dishwasher detergent, solar panels, food preservatives, eyeglasses, DVDs, children’s toys, tires, and heart valves, to name just a few examples.

What are Steam Valves? Their Types, Applications, and Specifications

Written by Anup Kumar Dey in Piping Design Basics

A steam valve is a specific type of valve that is used to control the flow and/ or pressure level of steam and hot water vapor. Steam valves are used in piping systems carrying hot water vapor or steam. Steam is widely used in various industrial applications. Typical examples of steam applications include power plant steam turbines to generate electrical power, food industries, chemical, and other product processing. Further, steam is also used for heating, humidification, and cleaning services. So, the flow and pressure for all such applications must be controlled for better efficiency. Here, comes the importance of steam valves. Proper control over steam and water vapor is achieved by the use of steam valves in systems.

Functions of Steam Valves

As already mentioned, steam valves serve as control valves in the steam piping network. So, it majorly performs any of the below-mentioned three functions:

  • Controlling or reducing steam pressure from inlet to application. Lower steam pressure is synonymous with improved plant safety.
  • Controlling temperature
  • Flow control or regulation.

Types of Steam Valves

There are various types of valves for steam services. As steam is usually used as high-temperature and pressure media, some specific service conditions must be met for steam valves. The common types of industrial steam valves are discussed below.

Ball Valves as Steam Valves

Ball valves are popular as industrial steam valves as they provide tight shut-off, predictable control, and long service life. In this type of steam control valve, a rotary ball having a bore controls the steam flow. The ball can rotate 90 degrees around its axis. Depending on the design of the regulating element, steam ball valves have a range of uses. However, the controlling accuracy of steam ball valves is limited.

Globe valves as Industrial Steam Valves

Globe valves with rounded bodies are also suitable for steam services. Steam globe valves are linear motion valves. For regulating the steam flow in both on/off and throttling services, globe valves provide wide applications. Globe valves as steam valves are popular because of their precise throttling and control, along with high-pressure limits.

Butterfly Valves as Steam valves

Butterfly valves have a disk to control the steam flow. These types of steam valves are used as throttling valves. They Butterfly valves consist of a rotary stem having 90 degrees or less movement within a compact design.

Types of Steam Valves
Types of Steam Valves

Angle valves as Steam valves

Angle steam valves are linear actuated valves that provide an excellent flow rate with minimal pressure loss. They are basically pneumatically actuated piston valves that can regulate the steam flow at high temperatures. Steam angle valves have a long service life.

Gate/ Knife Valves for Steam services

Using a flat closure element that slides into the flow stream to provide shut-off, Gate or Knife valves are also used in steam services. In general, there are two types of steam gate valves: parallel and wedge-shaped. Parallel gate valves consist of a flat disc gate between upstream and downstream parallel seats. Knife valves have a sharp edge on the bottom of the gate.

Diaphragm Valves as Steam Valves

Diaphragm valves use a ‘pinching’ method to stop the steam flow through the valve using a flexible diaphragm. The main advantage of using diaphragm steam valves is that the valve components can easily be isolated from the fluid.

3-way Steam Valve

A 3-way steam valve is used in situations when three pipes are required to be connected in a single valve. 3-Way steam valves can have different types of configurations like 1 inlet and 2 outlets, Two inlets and one outlet, Port 1 to port 2 with the flow and port 3 isolated, Port 1 to port 3 flow with port 2 isolated, etc. The type of 3-way steam valve configuration is decided based on the actual application needs.

Non-return Steam valves

This type of valve allows the flow of steam only in one direction. Known as check valves for steam, these valves have one inlet and one outlet port. They prevent steam backflow into the system.

Pressure Release Valves for Steams

Steam systems can have pressure-release valves as well. To prevent excessive pressure built-up in the system, stream pressure release valves are proven to be highly effective. By releasing the excess pressure these types of steam valves safeguard the system from damage.

Steam Solenoid Valves

Electrically controlled steam solenoid valves can be designed to be either linear or rotary type. Consisting of a solenoid, an electric coil, and a plunger, solenoid steam valves use magnetic fields for their operation. Steam solenoid valves are fast-acting and costly.

Steam Valve Specifications

A lot of different parameters must be considered for specifying a steam valve. Some of the common factors for steam valve specification are:

  • Environment,
  • Design pressure,
  • Design temperature,
  • Connection,
  • Flow rate
  • Type of steam valve,
  • Type of actuation,
  • Valve materials,
  • Body size of the valve
  • Connection requirement
  • Nominal pressure rating
  • Noise level
  • Pressure drop
  • Leakage and isolation requirements
  • Turndown
  • Rangeability
  • Flow requirements, etc

A range of materials like aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron, copper, steel, and stainless steel are used to produce industrial steam valves. The actuation mechanism of steam valves uses common valve actuation methods like mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or thermal actuation.

Sizing of Steam Control Valves

The sizing of steam control valves is a highly complex matter. Various parameters must be taken into account while sizing control valves for steam services. Some of these parameters that decide the size of a steam control valve are:

  • Pressure and Temperature.
  • Type of Steam
  • Rate of Steam Flow
  • Valve outlet velocity
  • Noise
  • Erosion effect
  • Pressure drop (upstream and downstream steam pressure)
  • Types of Valve

Applications of Steam Valves

Steam valves are used in all industries using steam in their operation. Common industries where steam valves are widely used are:

Processing Industries: Food processing factories, refineries, chemical, and petrochemical plants. Saturated steam is used as the heating source in various process equipment like heat exchangers, reboilers, combustion air preheaters, reactors, and other types of heat transfer equipment.

Cleaning Industries: Steam has the capability to clean a broad range of surfaces. So, steam valves are found to control high-temperature steam to sterilize food preparation equipment. For removing grease and dirt from industrial equipment during maintenance and paint preparation, steam is used which calls for steam valves for proper control.

Power Plants: The energy to drive the turbines are provided by the steam. So, various gas, coal, nuclear and certain solar plants use a number of steam valves in their network to handle superheated and saturated steam.

Atomization Industries: Steam is also used to atomize a liquid for the purpose of separating liquids. So, steam valves are used in such industries.

Moisturization Industries: Steam can add water to a process alongside providing heat energy.

Heating Plants: Many large commercial and industrial facilities use steam valves for regulating low-pressure saturated steam as the predominant heat source for indoor heating.

What is Hydro Jetting?

Written by Anup Kumar Dey in Maintenance

Hydro jetting is one of the widely employed methods to clean piping, tubing, and plumbing blockages using a jet of high-velocity water. So, hydro jetting is basically a maintenance and pre-commissioning activity. Even though this process can be applied in piping systems, the majority of hydro jetting services are applied in plumbing services. Before start-up, the piping systems must be cleaned thoroughly to take the first input through the pipes. Also, after prolonged working, there may be an accumulation of scaling, clogs, and various other contaminants which must be removed to get proper working and efficiency. In such scenarios, hydro jetting services prove to be very effective. In this article, we will learn about hydro jetting in detail.

What is Hydro-jetting?

Hydro jetting is a non-invasive power-washing process by which pipes are cleaned from clogs, debris buildup, grease, scales, coating material, dirt, chemical contamination, oil, marine growth, etc using a pressurized water jet. The intense force of the high-velocity pressurized water (high and ultra-high pressure) cleans the contamination effectively. The hydro jetting process can even easily clean the areas which are not easily accessible. The process is also known as high-pressure water jetting.

A hydro jet system usually consists of a pressure pump, jet nozzle, hose, wastewater handling equipment, work area enclosure, and other accessories to help in the cleaning process. The pressure for the hydro jetting process may vary from 4,000 psi to 60,000 psi depending on the application and cleaning requirement. Other parameters on which the effectiveness of the hydro jetting process depends are:

  • Water Flow rate
  • Water velocity through the jet
  • Shape and type of jet nozzle
  • Direction of flow
  • Operating pressure

Types of Hydrojet Nozzles

Hydro-jetting nozzles are made of various materials and design configurations to suit a range of applications. Some of the common types of hydro-jet nozzles used in hydro jetting services are listed below:

  • Flat jet nozzles, having a wide, slot-shaped hole to create a triangular, fan-shaped water jet spray pattern.
  • Pointed jet nozzles, having a round hole for creating a precise and focused water jet. These types of hydro jet nozzles have a higher impact than flat nozzles.
  • Rotating nozzles, having a rotating portion that has the ability to spray straight as well as to the sides.

Each of the above nozzle types has several variations to suit specific needs.

Hydrojet Nozzle Materials

The water quality and operating pressure greatly impact the working life of each nozzle. So, the selected material must be strong enough to withstand the pressure. Even though there is a range of materials that are used as Hydrojet nozzle materials, there are three materials that are most common. Those are:

  • Carbide nozzles: Usually used for dirty, unfiltered water for operating pressures below 20,000 psi (140 MPa).
  • Steel nozzles: Used when water passes through 25 microns or finer filters with operating pressure below 20,000 psi (140 MPa).
  • Sapphire nozzles: Sapphire nozzles are suitable for very high-pressure (above 140 MPa or 20,000 psi) services.
  • When a nozzle wears out, the effectiveness and quality of hydro jetting reduce.

Applications for Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting services are used almost in every industry wherever cleaning and descaling are required. Some of the common uses of hydro-jetting for cleaning various items are listed below:

Requirement of Hydro Jetting

The hydro-jetting services are generally employed when the main line is severely blocked by scales, mineral build-up, debris, etc. All these contaminants impact the flow through the system reducing the system’s effectiveness and efficiency. In such a scenario, hydro jetting service is employed to restore the system efficiency back. The high-pressure water pumping into the system clears the pipes which restores the effectiveness.

Prior to using the hydro jetting process, the system must be inspected thoroughly. Depending on the cleaning requirements the hydro jetting service usually lasts from 30 mins to 90 mins.

Advantages of Hydro-Jetting

The hydro jetting process as a cleaning service provides a lot of advantages as listed below:

  • Highly effective process.
  • The process is eco-friendly.
  • The hydro-jetting process is applicable for domestic as well as commercial purposes.
  • No chemical is used.
  • A safe process with very little risk.
  • Non-invasive procedure.
  • Subsequent further cleaning is usually not required.
  • Reliable cleaning also in difficult-to-access areas.

Cost of Hydro-Jetting

The cost of hydro-jetting services varies from region to region. For hydro-jetting of domestic plumbing systems, the cost varies from $300 to $800. For industrial cleaning of complex piping and equipment, the cost is usually more and can range up to $2000 depending on the exact cleaning requirements.

Meaning of LO and LC in Valves

Written by Anup Kumar Dey in Instrumentation

While dealing with valves, you must have come across the abbreviations LO and LC. In valve terminologies, LO stands for Locked open and LC is an abbreviation of Locked Closed. Both LO and LC can imply various types of valves like Ball Valves, Butterfly Valves, Globe Valves, or others depending on the application. In this article, we will learn the meaning of LO and LC with respect to valves.

The use of the terms LO and LC in valves are often correlated with the health of the system. It ensures the valve works during normal operation. The requirements of LO and LC during the design phase are essential in maintaining the safety and integrity of the system.

Control valves are generally specified to add a locking arrangement as part of the vendor supply. It can be cleat located on the valve body or a plate by drilling a hole in the valve. Process P&IDs must identify such requirements (Refer to Fig. 1) specified in the documentation by mentioning the terms LO and LC as applicable. This locked open and locked closed method ensures there will not be accidental valve operation that enhances system safety. Only the designated responsible professionals can change the valve function from open to close or vice versa.

LO and LC designation in P&ID
Fig. 1: LO and LC designation in P&ID

Refer to the above figure which shows how the LO and LC valve arrangements are specified in a P&ID. In the above image, it shows as out of two PSVs, the inlet valve of one PSV is kept in LO condition and the other is kept in LC condition. Both the valves in the PSV outlet line are kept in LO condition. In a similar way, LC and LO valve arrangements will be specifically designated in the P&ID drawing.

Locked Open (LO) Valves

Locked open valves are a type of isolation valve. A typical example of a locked open valve can be a pressure safety valve mounted on a pressure vessel. The locked open arrangement in this PSV will ensure the release of pressure during an overpressure event, thereby protecting the equipment. Accidental closing can be detrimental in such a scenario and this is because the locked open valve arrangement is usually established to keep the valves in open position throughout the normal operation.

Locked Closed (LC) Valves

A locked closed valve arrangement is chosen when the valve is to be kept in the closed position during normal working conditions. A typical example of a Locked Closed (LC) valve could be the closed drain system for maintenance. Throughout normal operating conditions, the entry of hydrocarbon must be avoided and this is because a locked closed valve arrangement should be chosen.

Note that, the locked open or closed status must be properly registered in the appropriate log. Also, the LO and LC status should be audited to ensure the proper working arrangement. To change any status for LO to LC or vice versa, a proper permit-to-work system must be followed.

The locking philosophy usually consists of an integral lock with a key arrangement. The keys are generally kept in the control room and only the authorized person can have the access to those keys. Sometimes, the valve with locked open or locked closed operation is performed in a sequential manner. A typical example is the PIG launcher and receiver where the sequence locking procedure is applied. The Pig launcher and receiver system have a number of valves and a separate designated key is assigned for all those valves.

What is Smart Plant Review (SPR) or Smart Review? Its Functions and Advantages

Written by Anup Kumar Dey in Piping Design Basics

Intergraph Smart Plant Review or Smart Review is a popular 3D visualization tool. This tool is extensively used by design, visualization engineering, construction, and animation specialist to review designs and use the 3D model as a graphical interface to access project data linked to the model. With its simple interface and useful tools, Smart plant review makes the viewing experience better and more engaging. Similar to Navisworks, Smart plant review helps users to view their design in 3D much before the construction of the actual plant starts.

Originally developed by Intergraph, Smart Plant review is now owned by Hexagon. The software is also popularly known as Intergraph’s smart review or SPR. As a reviewing software package, Smart plant review provides value throughout the entire plant lifecycle starting from the initial design phase. Various engineering activities like HAZOP reviews, Model reviews, accessibility studies, retrofits, upgrades, etc make use of Smart plant review software extensively. The software can easily load projects of any size by using Smart Review’s unique object-streaming technology. Smart plant review can help users to access even finer details like pipe material, exact support types, measuring dimensions, etc.

Advantages of Smart Plant Review

SmartPlant review is a fast, efficient, and powerful tool for approaching plant design from an expert perspective. As a 3D design review aid, smart plant review provides a multitude of benefits as listed below:

  • It made design reviews simpler by providing touch supported tablet mode option to users.
  • The productivity and performance are significantly improved by viewing each element in 3-dimensions during the initial design.
  • The smart review provides seamless connectivity to various other tools like Intergraph Smart 3D, SmartPlant Foundation, etc, and gives up-to-date information.
  • The models are portable which makes the handover smooth and flawless.
  • The SPR models support AR/VR devices for improved performance. It also helps to export to various external formats.
  • The display quality of the SPR models has significantly increased by adding photorealistic effects.
  • The productivity and discoverability are improved because of the navigation for touch and clicks.
  • SmartPlant Review adds connectivity to different third-party software.

Functions of Smart Plant Review

Intergraph Smart Plant Review software is a powerful, interactive, and versatile visualization tool that gives life to the 3D model. One can easily simulate the placement or removal of equipment, piping, or structures to review physical clearances. The SPR software package also allows users to perform motion studies and develop different complex motion scenarios. The construction process can be visually simulated when the SPR module is used in conjunction with the Construction Module.

The main functions of Intergraph’s smart plant review are:

  • Monitoring of the project design and execution.
  • Reviewing technical solutions in 3D models to detect clashes and resolve errors.
  • Item verification with respect to technical specifications.
  • Tracking of work progress by visualizing each stage of design and construction.
  • The ability of remote collective viewing by providing shared access.
  • Creation of a photorealistic presentation to discuss optimization and solutions.
  • Annotation of project documents.

To extend the functionality smart plant review has various modules as listed below:

  • The creation of superstructures in smart plant review is achieved by its open program interface API module. The API module of SPR includes all the required programming libraries for developers to create programs on Smart Review.
  • The collaboration module enables multiple users from different locations to jointly review and interrogate the 3D model at the same time.
  • The construction module of SPR is used to simulate the construction process.
  • The photo-realism module of smart review has the ability to convert still images to a new level of quality which helps in the creation of powerful presentation materials.
  • Its on-site Drawing Generation Module creates fast and intelligent two-dimensional drawings with hidden line display capability.
  • The Point Cloud Integrator Module of Smart plant review provides the capability to display three-dimensional laser scanning point cloud data with the plant model for using the data during design reviews. This helps in lowering the effort, time, and cost of process plant retrofit engineering and construction projects.
  • The publisher module converts the CAD formats into compatible Smartplant review formats.

Intergraph Freeview

Similar to Navisworks freedom, Hexagon also provides a free viewer known as Intergraph FreeView. It supports .VUE files that can be viewed and navigated. The easy-to-use, motion controls of the Freeview software package allows user to walk through the complex 3D environment.

References and Further Studies

To know more about Smart Plant Review and get help you can refer to the following

What is Navisworks? Components, Versions, Functions, and Advantages of Navisworks

Written by Anup Kumar Dey in Piping Design Basics

As a piping engineer, you must have heard the name of Navisworks, a very useful software tool. The plant review software, Navisworks is widely used by plant design professionals from the Construction and Design industries of Oil and Gas, Chemical and Petrochemical, Power, Metal, Mining, and various other industries. In this article, we will discuss the components, functions, versions, and benefits of Navisworks software.

What is Navisworks?

AutoDesk Navisworks is a project review 3D software package that allows Architecture, Engineering, and Construction professionals to review integrated models and data during the design and preconstruction stage for the betterment of the project outcomes. The software was originally developed by Sheffield, a UK-based developer which was acquired by AutoDesk in 7une 2007.

Functions of Navisworks

Navisworks is a very useful software tool in piping design engineering. It allows users to open, view, and combine 3D design models. Novisworks gives the real 3D model feel of the plant at the design stage. Autodesk Navisworks users can easily navigate around the plant in real time and perform several activities like commenting, redlining, measuring, creating viewpoints, etc. Some of the important functions that can be achieved by using the Navisworks software:

  • Coordination
  • Clash Detection/ Interface Detection
  • 5D Project Scheduling
  • Rendering
  • Quantification
  • PDF like publishing
  • Construction Simulation

Versions of Navisworks Software

There are three versions of the Navisworks software. They are:

  • Navisworks Freedom,
  • Navisworks Simulate and
  • Navisworks Manage.

Navisworks Freedom is a free viewer for viewing the native NWD files. Navisworks Simulate is the base-level software that includes various useful functionalities except for Clash Detective. Navisworks Manage is the top-level software that includes all the features.

Components of Navisworks

Navisworks software package is built around a core module known as Roamer that has a number of in-built functionalities as listed below:

  • Roamer for opening models from a range of 3D design and laser scan formats and combining them into a single 3D model. The core part of Navisworks, Roamer helps users in navigation around the model in real-time and reviews the model.
  • Publisher allows Noavisworks users to publish the complete 3D model into a single NWD file for opening using the free viewer Navisworks Freedom.
  • Clash Detective functionality enables interference detection to find clashes and geometry conflicts or faults in the design.
  • The renderer or Presenter allows the users of Navisworks software to apply materials and lighting to the model to generate photorealistic images and animations.
  • Quantification allows users to automatically make material estimates, measure areas, and count building/plant components.
  • The Timeliner adds a 4D simulation feature. The Navisworks user can easily link geometry to times and dates for simulating the construction or demolition of the model over time. Additionally, various project scheduling software packages like Microsoft Project or Primavera products can be linked to import task data.
  • The animator feature of the Navisworks software allows the users to animate the model and interact with it.
  • Scripter allows users to set up a collection of actions to happen by meeting certain event conditions.

Refer to Fig. 1 below that shows a typical plant in Navisworks Freedom.

Typical Plant in Navisworks
Fig. 1: Typical Plant in Navisworks

File Formats supported by Navisworks

Similar to other Autodesk software, the Navisworks (Simulate and Manage) software package, too, supports a wide range of file formats. Some of the Navisworks-supported file formats are listed below:

Navisworks Software File formats:

  • NWC – The Cache file (.) nwc is basically the snapshot of the current model. NWC files are created automatically when a native file is loaded.
  • NWD –This is the file format for publishing the model to coordinate and view later in different other software packages.
  • NWF –This is a file format where users usually work and append the files. This contains the links to all appended files.

There are various other design file formats that Navisworks support. Some of them are:

  • AutoCAD Drawing – .dwg, .dxf (up to AutoCAD 2018)
  • MicroStation (SE, J, V8, & XM) – .dgn, .prp, prw (up to v7, & v8)
  • 3D Studio Max – .3ds, .prj (up to 3ds Max 2018)
  • ACIS SAT – .sat, .sab (all ASM SAT, up to ASM SAT v7)
  • DWF – .dwf, .dwfx (all versions)
  • CATIA – .model, session, .exp, dlv3, .CATPart, .CATProduct, .cgr (up to v4, & v5)
  • IFC – .ifc (IFC2X_PLATFORM, IFC2X_FINAL, IFC2X2_FINAL, IFC2X3, IFC4)
  • IGES – .igs, .iges (all versions)
  • Informatix/MicroGDS – .man, .cv7 (v10)
  • Inventor – .ipt, .iam, .ipj (up to Inventor 2018)
  • CIS/2 – .stp (STRUCTURAL_FRAME_SCHEMA)
  • JT Open – .jt (up to v10)
  • NX – .prt (up to v9)
  • Revit – .rvt (up to 2011–2022)
  • RVM – .rvm (up to v12.0 SP5)
  • SketchUp – .skp (v5 up to 2015)
  • PDS Design Review – .dri (legacy file format, support up to 2007)
  • STL – .stl (binary only)
  • VRML – .wrl, .wrz (VRML1, VRML2)
  • Parasolid – .x_b (up to schema 26)
  • FBX – .fbx (FBX SDK 2017)
  • Pro/ENGINEER – .prt, .asm, .g, .neu (Wildfire v5, Creo Parametric v1-v3)
  • STEP – .stp, .step (AP214, AP203E3, AP242)
  • Solidworks – .prt, .sldprt, .asm, .sldasm (2001, plus 2015)
  • PDF – .pdf (all versions)
  • Rhino – .3dm (up to v5)
  • Solid Edge – .stp, .prt

Advantages of using Navisworks

Navisworks software package helps users in various activities to reduce the project time and cost. The main advantages of Navisworks are:

  • Generation of a single federated model to visualize and unify design and construction data.
  • Identify and resolve clash and interference problems much before actual construction begins which results in time and cost savings for the onsite rework.
  • Helps in easy collaboration with other discipline teams by connecting with Navisworks.
  • Controlling the project schedules and costs by using 4D and 5D simulation.
  • Easily capturing the material quantities from 2D or 3D designs.
  • Aggregated models take lesser time to load than other similar software packages.
  • Several export options for various tools are available.
  • Using the software is quite easy. Even beginners can easily learn the software without much challenge.

Download AutoDesk Navisworks Freedom

As already mentioned, Navisworks Freedom is a viewer software. The viewing tool is provided by AutoDesk for free. It helps the user to view the whole project in 3D. Navisworks freedom supports NWD and 3D DWF files. The Navisworks freedom software package comes with the following features:

  • The free Navisworks freedom includes all the required sets of navigation tools, including Walk, Zoom Box, Pan, Orbit, Look Around, Zoom, Examine, Fly, and Turntable
  • The software supports the real-time display of materials and lighting.
  • It enables the viewing of model hierarchy, object properties, and embedded review data. The Navisworks Freedom also includes creating viewpoints, animations, redlines, and comments.

As the software is free, It can be easily downloaded from the following links to install on your PC.