brewery tanks - U-Stamp (ASME) required?

[agmaraver]

Dear all,
I would like to know if beer fermenters or yeast brink tanks do need the U-Stamp or if they fall within any exemption.
Do you know why beer kegs are exempted despte of having a working pressure higher than 15 psig??

thanks for your help!
Angela.

 

[RVAmeche]

Beer kegs may be exempted due to the small size or specialized use; states and jurisdictions may have other exemptions.

Without knowing the size of the tanks/location, I would assume they need to be ASME vessels if the pressure is greater than 15 psig.

 

[agmaraver]

Thanks!
The size is not so small to be exempted by ASME Section VIII (6 inches according to U-1 (c) (2) (-i)).
The exemption that may apply is U-1 (c) (2) (-f): vessels containing water (that may contain additives being the flas point > 185ºF)under pressure [...]
But I cannot find that flash point value and if it fits for kegs, that would fit also for fermenters...
So I am completely lost!!

 

[RVAmeche]

I've never examined them, but this thread indicates kegs may actually be stamped. Regardless, storage/process tanks definitely need to be stamped if they fall within ASME scope.

https://discussions.probrewer.com/showthread.php?31291-Keg-Stamp

 

[EdStainless]

I have never seen tanks and fermenters stamped, I have never seen any designed to work above a few psig.
The cleanability aspect is usually the most critical one. These are usually built sort of like BPE.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[smitch]

Angela,

I work for a brewery equipment manufacturer, and yes we build tanks to the ASME code when they are rated greater than 15 psi. Ordinarily, the tanks are exempt but occasionally a customer will ask for a 2 or 3 bar tank (typically a bright tank). Greater pressure = faster carbonation, or so I've been told. The CO2 is the tricky part, particularly for fermenters. It's difficult to claim an exemption for a fluid approximating water when a pressurized blanket is being applied using CO2.

We also have fitting designs registered for steam jackets rated greater than 15 psi.

Sean