Pressure Vessel Standards

[swertel]

I am looking for the ASTM (or other) standard for pressure vessel design and safety considerations. Specifically, I want to know if there is a recommended factor of safety for pressure vessels -- I remember it to be 3, but I can't recall from where. -- and proof testing methods, including frequency. In other words, before I put the pressure vessel in use, to what pressure must I test it for leaks? Once the vessel is in use, how often do I have to inspect it: 90 days, 180 days, yearly?

I searched the ASTM web sight by title ("pressure vessels&quot and came up with 112 possible standards. I could really use some help in narrowing my search.

The vessel will be made of stainless steel, hold a volume of 19 in^3, and be used in a hydrostatic test fixture as an accumulator that can see 40 ksi.

Thanks in advance,

--Scott

 

[CC9513493]

Dear colleggue

You ca review on ASME secc VIII Div 1 or 2 for the new vessels . When this in service Checking codes NBIC NB-23 and API 510.The pressure of design which is?

Regards

jorge@tecnicontrol.com.co

 

[Rich2001]

If you are in the USA almost each state have a series of laws, and rules for Pressure Vessel. Contact your Chief Inspector in the State. In addition, your insurance carrier may have rules or recommendations.

another source -

http://www.nationalboard.org

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
Promote greater safety through uniformity in the construction, installation, repair, maintenance and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels. The standards themselves are not on-line and must be ordered. Includes links for ordering the standards of Canada, Europe, and Great Brtain.

 

[hdiab]

Hi, I have a similar problem to Scott, in that I need a factor of safety for pressure vessesls and am finding it difficult to find. The pressure being applied is 350Kpa and the vessel is similar to a picture frame with dimensions of 480*300*25mm dimensions

Thankyou

 

[Ron]

As I recall, pressure vessels are usually tested to 125% of design. Check ASME Section VIII.

 

[BLN]

I seem to remember a company I used to work for also tested to 125% MEOP (maximum expected operating pressure) for proof testing.

 

[swertel]

This link is from the Lawrence Livermore National Labs, but they follow the NBIC and ASME.

http://www.llnl.gov/es_and_h/hsm/doc_18.03/doc18-03.html

Basically it states that you have the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP)=100%. The maximum operating pressure (MOP)=80-90%. Test pressure for inert or remote operations systems = 120-125%. Test pressure for pressure vessels and reactive pressure systems = 150%.

--Scott

 

[rkg]

To Swertel and hdiab,

Please note carefully:

1. The test pressure(hydrostatic)= 1.25*Pd*Sa/St, where Pd=Design Pressure, Sa=allowable stress at ambient temp., St= allowable stress at design temperature. This is in accordance with the current ASME Sec. VIII Div.1.The allowable stresses for the selected material must be taken from ASME Sec. II D.
2. The factor of safety is app. 3.5 if vessel is designed in accordance with Sec. VIII Div.1 and 3.0 if vessel is designed to Sec. VIII Div.2.
3. If you have not designed a Pressure Vessel before, please employ an experienced agency/ consultant/ vessel manufacturer to do it for you. There are quite a few things involved which you will not be able to learn overnight.
4. Hope it helps. I will be glad to answer any of your specific queries on the matter.
5. I suggest that "ASME" thread is a better place to post similar queries.