HRST, Inc. (Eden Prairie, Minn.; www.hrstinc.com) has added to their capabilities in performance analysis and modeling by integrating ANSYS software into the firm’s extensive knowledge of HRSG technologies.
“The energy environment has changed in recent years,” Amy Sieben, HRST’s Analysis Manager explains. “Natural gas prices have gone up forcing energy companies to start up and shut down with greater frequency. This increase in cycling accelerates fatigue on HRSG equipment.”
The ANSYS software allows HRST, Inc. to do finite element analysis in-house which is essential in estimating fatigue life of components. This positions the company at a tremendous competitive advantage to similar engineering firms because HRST, Inc. engineers are able to input proper model assumptions (boundary conditions) for such inputs as thermal and flow transients. This specialized knowledge and proven track record of modeling performance and circulation—combined with the ANSYS software advantage — allows HRST, Inc. to draw refined conclusions that other engineers would struggle to replicate.
“We are uniquely positioned to help energy companies address cycling fatigue,” says Sieben. “Our methodology offers a level of refinement that takes traditional performance analysis & modeling to a whole new level.”