ASME Section VIII Div 1 Scope Interpretation 1

[IrwinL]

Hello,

Section VIII, Div. 1 U-1 (c)(2)(-c) says pressure containers which are integral parts or components of rotating devices, such are pumps, compressors, etc. (where primary design considerations and/or stresses are derived from the functional requirements of the device) is excluded from the scope of the code. Is the code's intention meant for the components on the rotating devices themselves (e.g. pump casing, compressor cylinders)? or it could mean other components as part of the compressor or pump skid?

Let's say we have a compressor or pump skid which has the compressor or pump itself and some more pieces of equipment on the skid (e.g. filters, accumulators, pulsation dampeners). My interpretation would be that these pieces would not be excluded (provided other excluding conditions, such as design pressure or diameter, are not applicable) but some colleagues argued the other way. I searched on the ASME's interpretation website but can't seem to find anything specifically on this. What would be your interpretation? and wondering if you have seen anything from ASME on this in case I missed it?

Thanks in advance.
Irwin

 

[Cobra17]

The first sentence in the reply is the key. In your case, the compressor does not directly apply stresses to the the filters, accumulators, etc. due to how the compressor generates pressure, the pressure is the stress.

Standard Designation: BPV Section VIII Div 1
Edition/Addenda:
Para./Fig./Table No:
Subject Description: Section VIII, Division 1 (1998 Edition, 2000 Addenda); U-1(c)(2)(c)
Date Issued: 10/29/2001
Record Number: BC01-227
Interpretation Number : VIII-1-01-98
Question(s) and Reply(ies):

Question: Are pressure vessels that are integral parts of a compressor, which have external gas piping connections, exempt from the scope of Section VIII, Division 1 per U-1(c)(2)(c)?

Reply: Yes, provided that the primary design considerations and/or stresses are derived from the functional requirements of the device. Please note that the laws or regulations of jurisdictions where the device is installed should be reviewed to determine requirements, which may be different or more restrictive.

 

[Rubje]

@Cobra17

While I agree, the issue is many vendors to produce these parts stamp them to ASME VIII anyhow. OP is better off just following what vendors typically do in order to avoid scrutiny.

 

[Snickster]

I believe the codes intent is that rotating equipment itself is very special design that is covered under different codes which require special design and configuration not covered by ASME B&PV Code. There is no possible way to apply ASME B&PV code to most rotating equipment in regards to the part that houses the rotating parts. However anything else on the equipment skid needs to be designed to ASME B&PV Code. For instance pulsation bottles on reciprocating compressor skids need to be designed to ASME B&PV Code or anything else on skid which is not the pressure containg casing of the rotating parts and which the ASME B&PV code normanlly would apply.

Also it is not the function of the ASME Code to state what or what not is applicable and should be designed to it. They may say what can't be disgned to it just because the Code really does not apply but they can't state that something that can be applied to the Code, such as compressor pulsation bottles, should not be designed to it. They are a technical body but not a legislative body.