What is pressure vessel?

Pressure vessel is closed container which holds liquids or gasses at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.

Definition of Pressure vessel as per ASME BPVC section VIII , Div 1, U1,

Pressure vessel are containers for containment of pressure, either external or internal. This pressure may be obtained from a external source or by application of heat. Heat can be applied either by a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof .

Types of pressure vessel based on their purpose :

Storage vessel- used primarily for storage of liquids or gases in a pressurized state.
Process vessel – vessels in which any of the below operations are performed.

  • Seperation of products
  • combining products
  • breaking down and
  • removing various elements as by products or impurities

(Ex. Seperator, reactor, distillation tower, heat exchanger, drums, fractioning tower, etc.)

Fired and Un fired pressure vessel

Fired pressure vessel

– are pressure vessels where external heat source is used to keep the liquid or gas pressurized ( fire source may be direct or indirect).

Un fired Pressure Vessel

– no external heat is applied.

About ASME BPVC section VIII- pressure vessel inspection standards

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code section VIII , has 3 divisions

Division 1 : Construction of pressure vessel (15 psi to 3000 psi).
It’s scope covers , Designing, fabrication, Inspection of pressure vessels. Testing and certification of pressure vessel, with internal or external pressure. Operating more than 15 psi, the pressure vessel may be fired or Unfired , (max pressure is normally 3000 psi )

Division 1 also contains mandatory and non-mandatory appendices for supplementary design requirements. NDT non destructive testing and acceptance criteria.

Division 2 : Alternative rules. ( 3,000psi to 10,000 psi )

Division 3 : Alternative rules for very high pressure vessel.( Greater than 10,000 psi )

Parts of pressure vessel

Major parts of pressure vessel are shell, Dish , saddle, manhole and nozzles.

The major parts are marked in the below picture of pressure vessel.

inspection of pressure vessel

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