legal status of code 3

[offonoff]

"Before the Code stands a doorkeeper. To this doorkeeper there comes a man from the country and prays for admittance..."

Hi

I'm developing an apparatus for high pressure processes. It will be employed for both experimentation by a private non-accredited educational institution and also for production of food grade and/or non-food grade products. I no nothing about code requirements in this situation.

Does the distinction between private use and use for profit change the legal process? I assume that such a device used either in private experimentation or for profit must pass some inspection. where may i find information on what requirements must be met to pass?

For example:
The work is certainly within the capacity of a hydraulic machinist and may be called a "hydraulic cylinder", but I dont know about the legality of the device afterwards. There aren't any pressure vessel machinists for hundreds of miles of me.

thanks fort any of your help/experience.

 

[metengr]

offonoff;
Where will this object be located - in the US or some other country? Second, what is the function, size and operating pressure of this object? If you can answer these two questions, more help will arrive.

 

[offonoff]

The first will be located in california, with others expected at international locations if the first is successful. it will likely not be sold to, but rather built by international groups.

The device is a simple extraction vessel for high pressure extractions with supercritical carbon dioxide. the chamber is filled with hydrocarbon laden sand or plant matter via the 6" opening on the end. Working pressure may be as high as 4000 PSI and temperature is limited to 100 celcius. The first iteration is about 4 feet long and 6" diameter, with the option of future iterations being longer (though likely the same diameter).

A water temperature bath is required for temperature control.

external piping is 1/4" schedule 80 stainless steel.

Attached is a rough sketch of the device proposed. It should have a quick release opening that won't open if the chamber is pressurized, but companies producing such a hatch have been slow to respond.

 

[jte]

offonoff-

For installation in California, contact these folks:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/pressure.html

They won't bite you for asking - and they will provide authoritative guidance. Before you get in touch with them, be sure what you mean by "6 inch diameter". Hint: life may be easier for you if the corroded diameter including any pipe wall thickness tolerance is less than 6.000 inches.

Now, 4000 psi is not a small pressure. Be sure you are consulting with an engineer with substantial experience working with this kind of pressure.

jt

 

[metengr]

offonoff;
First off, this is a pressure vessel that will need to be designed and fabricated to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Div 1 (or 2), if this vessel is operated in the State of California.

Typically in the US, State and some large municipalities (Jurisdictions) have a Boiler Safety division that regulates the operation of boiler and in some cases pressure vessels. Each Jurisdiction has their own rules that either cover or exempt boilers and pressure vessels from having operating certificates - private versus for profit makes no difference, it all boils down to size of the vessel and use in service.

So, with that, I would suggest you contact the State agency in California that regulates boilers (and pressure vessels) and discuss with them what you are doing and what paperwork is required regarding this vessel. As a minimum, you will need to work with a competent pressure vessel design and fabrication shop that possesses a current Certificate from ASME to fabricate this pressure vessel.

 

[PVinspector]

U-1(c)(2)(i) of ASME Section VIII Div. 1 exempts vessels that have an inside diameter not exceeding 6 inches. Unless California has a further restriction, you may not be legally required to meet ASME Code. With a 4000 psi vessel you probably would not want to operate it, and may not be able to insure the vessel, if it does not meet the ASME Code and have a label and data report. And of course, it there is an accident and somebody is hurt, not building to Code because you weren't required to won't help you much in court.

 

[DSB123]

offonoff,
Remember if you intend for this item to be installed in Europe then it must comply with the Pressur Equipment Regulations in their entirity.

 

[doct9960]

offonoff,

I totally agree with metengr's last reply.

Here's a fatality report on a high pressure system similar to yours...

http://www.cdc.gov/Niosh/face/stateface/ma/94ma019.html

Don't let this happen to you or to the people who will use your apparatus.

 

[offonoff]

wow, thank you for that incident report. That is almost exactly the system i am working on, and reading the report was like seeing my own device clogged and dangerous. It's recomendations were highly relevant, and all will be followed.

In california, all the complete system requires is an asme stamp on the pressure vessel, which requires an asme certified fab folk to fabricate it. There are no permits for operation, and thus no system inspections. And (as has been pointed out), if the tube is less than 6" in diameter, not even that is needed.

I have no intention of shirking good practice. My guess was that the law would be complex and hindering, but it is not.

 

[BigInch]

Basing whether a device is dangerous enough to be covered under regulation by its diameter is a totally idiotic criteria!

**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/