ASME Section III Sight Glass

[flexy]

All,

I know that ASME Section III isn't touched on very much here but on the off chance that someone has been involved, I have a question regarding it.

My company has to provide an ASME Section III, Class 3 (Subsection ND) sight glass for one of its nuclear clients. I've reviewed the materials section of ASME Section III and I can't find any place that permits the use of glass for a nuclear applications. Section 2000 of Subsection ND clearly states that pressure retaining materials must be from ASME Section IID, Table 1A, 1B or 3.

We can design the metallic portion of the sight flow indicator. My question is in regards to the glass itself. Does anyone know how this could be designed and be in compliance with Section III, Subsection ND? There are companies out there doing it (Rolls Royce as an example), but I have no idea how they're determining the thickness of the glass. Does the glass supplier have to be a Material Organization or possess a Quality System Certificate? Is there testing that has to be done on the glass to confirm it complies with ASME requirements? What are these tests?

If anyone has some experience in this area it would be greatly helpful!

Thanks!

 

[SnTMan]

flexy, you don't state what it is your company normally provides, but I infer it is not Code sight glasses. Can't you just buy one and supply it to your client?

Regards,

Mike


The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[flexy]

We are frequently involved in Section III work. We need to understand how glass is permitted as a material inside a product we have to supply. We cannot buy the product. There other circumstances that prevent us from doing so.

 

[SnTMan]

flexy, I am not at all familiar with Sec III, or design of sight glasses, etc. but under Sec VIII, Div 1 there are provision for proof test of items whose allowable pressure cannot be adequately demonstrated by calculation. It's possible something similar exists in Sec III.

You may be able speed your design process by "reverse engineering" an existing product. As to the quality system side of things, I cannot offer anything.

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[flexy]

Thanks Mike.

 

[SnTMan]

Sure, sorry I can't offer more.

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand