Re-Certify a DOT vessel ASME 1

[brandonb73]

Ok, stupid question time. I have a customer who has some DOT Rail Cars and they want to convert them to stationary tanks and have then re-certified to ASME Sec. VIII.

I don't think this is possible since ASME is a "new construction" code. But, I have been wrong before so I thought I would ask. Has anyone heard of this being done?

Thanks

 

[eliebl]

I don't know of a way.

The more important question is.. "How can I make these acceptable to the jurisdiction for use as....?"

EJL

 

[JohnBreen]

brandonb73

"........I don't think this is possible......"

You are correct - you CANNOT "make them" ASME "U" Stamp vessels. To be ASME "U Stamp" vessels the requirements of the ASME B&PV Code must have been complied with including manufacture by a shop having a current ASME "U Stamp".

However, in some jurisdictions the law allow, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE JURISDICTION, a "non-ASME" vessel to be operated as a "State Special". You must have a good look at the law and the regulations that were enacted to implement the law of the jurisdiction in which the pressure vessels are to be operated and if the "State Special" requirements apply in full you can ask the jurisdiction to consider this exception.

Pennsylvania is typical of other jurisdictions who allow "non-ASME" pressure vessels to be operated. In Pennsylvania there is an 11 step procedure that must be followed in order to apply for acceptance as a "State Special". This can be found in the PA Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law, Act of 1998, P.L. 2036, No. 85, Section 7:

Section 7(b). Shop inspection.

(a) Inspection required. - Every boiler or unfired pressure vessel destined for use in this Commonwealth shall be
inspected during its construction by an individual who has a valid national board commission to perform an inspection.
Every boiler or unfired pressure vessel which has been so inspected shall, upon completion, have placed upon it a
stamp bearing a symbol and number authorized by the department for this purpose. The department may accept
comparable shop inspection and quality control standards which are equivalent to or exceed the ASME or national board
standards. A manufacturer's data report for every boiler or unfired pressure vessel inspected under this subsection shall be registered with the national board.

(b) Boiler not shop-inspected. - Any boiler or unfired pressure vessel which has not been shop-inspected as
required under subsection (a) may be installed within this Commonwealth if the following requirements are met:

(1) Submission of a request to install the equipment, in a form prescribed by the department, to the
department.

(2) Furnishing of mill test reports of material to show compliance with the ASME Code or another code accepted by the department.

(3) Furnishing of calculations and stress analyses showing the maximum allowable working pressure under the ASME Code or another code accepted by the department. These stress analyses shall be certified by a registered professional engineer.

(4) If equipment is of welded construction, all seams that are required to be X-rayed by the ASME Code or
another code accepted by the department shall be X-rayed.

(5) Establishment that welding meets requirements of the ASME Code or another code accepted by the department.

(6) Subjection of equipment to nondestructive examination or test that verifies structural integrity.

(7) All tests shall be made under the supervision of a Commonwealth-commissioned inspector or an
individual holding a valid national board commission.

(8) Submission of a data sheet comparable to the appropriate ASME data report form and certified by a
national board-commissioned inspector.

(9) If mill test reports, names of welders or other required information cannot be produced, the department
may, in its discretion, accept other documentation.

(10) Payment of a special equipment application fee.

(11) Compliance with the requirements outlined under section 7.

....and the Commonwealth and NCIB accredited Authorized Inspector must attach the "State Special" tag to the registered vessel before it is operated. All pressure vessels operated in Pennsylvania must be registered with the Commonwealth and must comply with the regulations regarding periodic inspection.

As stated above, many jurisdictions have similar regulations and it is prudent to talk to the Chief Inspector of the jurisdiction before you install the vessels and begin the "State Special" registration procedure. You can go to the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors web site to find the names and contact information for the Chief Inspector in States, Commonwealths, and (Canadian) Provinces.

Regards, John.

 

[JohnBreen]

.............then again..........

"(3) Furnishing of calculations and stress analyses showing the maximum allowable working pressure under the ASME Code or another code accepted by the department. These stress analyses shall be certified by a registered professional engineer."

If the "tanks" were not designed for 15 psig or greater internal pressure the calculations will show this.

At what pressure will your client want to operate these "vessels"? If they will be operated between zero psig and 15 psig they are not "pressure vessels". If that is the case, other rules (regulations) will apply. You really need to talk with the Chief Inspector of the jurisdiction in which these "tanks" will be operated.

John.

 

[jte]

John-

Just a clarification to the pressure criteria: It is not the operating pressure which is the criteria but the design pressure or MAWP. One way to meet this criteria even if it "calc's out" to over 15 psi is to set the pressure relief device at 14 psi.

Even though a typical refinery vacuum column operates at, well, less than 15 psig, most folks still consider them pressure vessels.

jt

 

[JohnBreen]

jte,

Point well taken.

My thought was that if it was not specifically designed for 15 psig or greater (or less than one atmosphere) it still might "calc out" to an acceptable low pressure vessel. Tricky business this, "converting" tanks to vessels. The possibility of uneven corrosion demands more than normal "sampling" of the remaining thicknesses. The temptation is there to "ass u me" they are all of the same material etc but the rigor in the FFS cannot be relaxed. Not long ago Pennsylvania also required a full ASME Code hydrostatic test.

Regards, John