Abstract: A software application implementable on a computer system is used to create a model of a hydraulic system to perform calculations. The user visually constructs a two-dimensional (2-D) connectivity model in the computer system. The 2-D connectivity model has a plurality of node points defined at various elements (sources, outlets, equipment, and junctions) of the hydraulic system and has segments interconnecting the node points. The user visually constructs a three-dimensional (3-D) segment model for each segment so that each segment model has the 3-D layout of the piping and the fittings for the segment. A 3-D system model of the entire hydraulic system is visually created in the computer system by combining the 3-D segment models. The software application performs calculations using the 3-D system model, and the 3-D system model can be visually or automatically verified to determine whether the model substantially corresponds to the 3-D layout of the hydraulic system, and has been laid out without errors.

Abstract: A software application implementable on a computer system is disclosed for performing process hazard analysis. The process has a plurality of nodes with equipment, and process data created by external applications is stored in a plurality of external databases on the computer system. Using the disclosed software application, the user creates a plurality of internal master lists for the software application by importing the process data from the external databases into the software application. The user can also export process data from the internal master lists of the software application to the external applications. The user compiles a node record for each node of the process by inputting information on the node. The user also accesses one or more of the plurality of internal master lists created in the software application and associates the process data for the each node into the node record. The node records for each node are organized according to one of a plurality of guidewords.

Abstract: An apparatus and method implementable with a software application for checking or assessing exceedances process variables beyond safe operating limits is disclosed. The process has instruments, a process history database, and one or more external databases. The instruments measure process variables and can be associated with the equipment. The process history database stores a plurality of values of the process variables measured by the instruments. Data of the equipment, the associated instrument, and the safe operating limit for the equipment is defined in a limit sequence of the software application. Preferably, the data of the equipment, the instrument, and the safe operating limit is imported from the one or more external databases. The process history database is searched for one or more exceedance values that are measured by the defined instrument and that exceed the defined safe operating limit.

Abstract: Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) can be applied to provide a more realistic assessment of the risk associated with vessel accumulation due to common mode scenarios. The QRA process takes the results of a traditional flare study and QRA inputs such as the frequencies of the common mode scenarios and the layers of protection that will tend to reduce the severity of the common mode scenario, and generates an system risk profile, such as an accumulation versus frequency relationship for each vessel discharging to the relief header. This relationship provides an estimate of the overall risk associated with the relief header system. The QRA program makes the above analysis process possible by automating the generation, execution, and interpretation of the many possible permutations that are required to characterize the system.