Waste Heat Recovery Unit û ASME Section I vs. Section VIII

[carlos81]

I’m involved in a discussion where there are divided opinions about whether a WHRU should be as per ASME Section I or VIII.

The unit is a heat exchanger with fuel-gas-turbine exhaust in the hot side and hot-oil in the cold side. The hot oil is used in a closed system to provide heat in different reboilers of the plant and it will remain liquid throughout all the process.

I don’t have too much experience in dealing with these codes but after seeing people with more experience not getting to a clear conclusion I decided to ask here about it.

In my opinion this unit should be Section VIII but it comes out that the overall decision is to make it as per Section I.

I’ve contacted a vendor and they can build this kind of unit as per either code but I would like to know:

* What are the implications down the road in terms of maintenance, inspection, costs, etc.

Regards

 

[chicopee]

Being an unfired pressure vessel, section VIII s/b applicable. Section being for fired pressure vessels, the calculations would be more conservative. I guess its your choice.

 

[SNORGY]

If it's hot oil that doesn't boil when (if) you leak it from the heater to atmosphere, i.e., you're not at risk of "boiling" anything, then I think it's ASME VIII.

If it's hot oil.

If it's water-glycol, be prepared for much debate.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[chicopee]

Oops! "...Section being for fired..." s/b "...Section Ibeing..."