Re-Certification of Old Pressure Vessel

[IdanPV]

Hello all,

I guess this issue has been discussed many times before, but I just can't find related threads.

Is it possible to re-certificate an old pressure vessel, which were built to old ASME VIII-1 Code Edition?
For example, is it possible to use vessel which were built for the 2013 Edition, and use it for order placed in 2022?

If this issue has been discussed at the past, please share the link.

Thanks,

 

[mk3223]

Yes, it's possible.
But, you need to have all necessary fabrication & inspection documents and certificate, and verify if any upgrade needed due to the Code change in 2022 compared to 2013.

 

[IdanPV]

Hi mk3223,

Thanks for your answer.
Is there any check-list or procudure to follow?

 

[MJCronin]

It is important that we understand what you mean by "recertification"

ASME Section VIII is a mature and respected US standard for the design, inspection, fabrication and testing of new pressure vessels.

ASME offers rules for a "CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION" of new Pressure Vessels and Boilers. There are deposits and fees and there must be an independent authority that conducts a review...

The new vessel will carry an ASME nameplate with specific design information and a unique certification number

https://www.asme.org/

http://wwwasmeorg/media/resourcefil...on/bpv-certification-form_new_and_renewal.pdf

It is commonly accepted that the new pressure vessel can be referred to as an ASME-VIII certified vessel.

However, once the owner takes delivery, the safe usage of the vessel is now the responsibility of the owner. The ASME VIII Standard no longer applies ..

Pressure Vessels are commonly registered with the state, country or municipality and a yearly fee is typically paid.... This system is a moneymaker for the government and little more than the registration of an automobile, boat or dog.

Registration of the vessel is NOT Certificaton .... it is a tax payment ....

The owner may want to repair or modify his pressure vessel. He must find an ASME authorized repair shop that has an "R" stamp

The National Board offers the Certificate of Authorization and the “R” symbol stamp for the repair and/or alteration of boilers, pressure vessels, and other pressure-retaining items.

Once the vessel is repaired or altered, it must have records retained and bear an "R" stamped nameplate... usually adjacent to its original nameplate.

There are also API rules about periodic inspection and repair

None of this is recertification ...

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[IdanPV]

Hello MJCronin, and thanks for you detailed response.

I will try to explain the issue I am facing.
The vessel I am talking about were design and constructed in accordance to the 2013 Edition of ASME VIII-1.
This vessel was intended to be sell to some customer – but in the end, it was not.
So, we decided to keep the vessel, in case other customer would like to buy the exact same vessel.
Now, there is a new customer who would like to buy it. Produce a new vessel it is quite expensive. Moreover, we got the exact same vessel almost ready to be shiped.
But, as I said, it was design and constructed and it was not hydro-tested.

I wanted to test the possibility to use the old vessel even though it has been constructed to an old Code Edition, provided that the customer is OK with this.
-No change in the design is required.
-No repair is needed.
-There is no “owner” – the vessel is still under my company responsibility, since the day we produced it.

Can I state that the vessel was built to the 2021 Edition of ASME VIII-1, even though it was not (I guess not)...?

What is the right procedure for use old vessel which were built to an old Code Edition which is not applicable any more?

 

[EdStainless]

You would have to go through and compare your available documentation against every change in the Code from 2013 through 2021.
In many cases you have material certificates that do not meet the current requirements.
You may also have welding procedures that do not meet current requirements.
If you cut the customer enough of a deal would they order to the 2013 Code?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[GD2]

IdanPV,
There is no direction given by the Code to use a shortcut to simply replace the name plate by changing the Year Built. My colleagues have pointed you to the right direction - to mark as 2021 built, simply meet the latest edition of ASME Div 1 Code. The Code had been revised 4 times since 2013.
Let's look at the other situation. It had been 8 years in preservation after it was built. It's a long time. How did you preserve it - indoor, outdoor, inerted etc. etc? You want to hydrotest and prove its integrity. It's all good.
Lastly, it will also depend on in which country it is going to be installed. why will they care, if the 2013 vessel meets their design specification and gets the vessel at a discount? Are you selling the vessel to another reseller to an owner?

GDD
Canada