Fluid delivery line geometry optimization

A method for optimizing the geometry of a line providing fluid communication between an outlet of a pump and an inlet, the pump and inlet each having a fixed location, the line being composed of tubing, the pump imposing a periodic pressure pulse on the tubing, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) identifying a basic design of the line using conventional industry practices for the specific application;
• b) making an initial determination as to the minimum number of bends which are required by the basic line design,
• 1) advancing to step (c) if the tubing can be routed in a straight line from the pump outlet to the inlet with no bends required,
• 2) if the tubing must be bent,
• i) establishing the bend routing to best fit the installation constraints set by the design layout,
• ii) determining whether the line may be routed in a single plane instead of in multiple planes,
• iii) aligning the centerline of the inlet with the centerline of the pump outlet if allowed by the location and orientation of the discharge end of the line for the proposed bend routing,
• iv) verifying that the quantity of bends is minimized and returning to step (b) if the number of bends may be reduced
• v) maximizing the radii of the bends within installation constraints using one common radius;
• c) performing a finite element analysis to determine the minimum and maximum loading on the tubing imposed by the expected pressure pulse;
• and
• d) selecting the material of the tubing to satisfy design safety factors with the minimal material cost.