What standard is used for high-temperature pressure vessels in Europe?

[GlassPowder]

Hello,

I am designing an unfired pressure vessel with a design temperature of 850 ºC and a design pressure of 3 bar absolute. I was designing according to ASME BPVC, but since I work in Europe, I am unsure whether it is appropriate to use. I tried referencing EN 13445 ("Unfired Pressure Vessels"), but it doesn’t seem to specify materials for such high temperatures.

The code states:
"A material shall only be used for pressure parts within the range of temperatures for which the material properties are defined in the technical specification for the material."

Annex E directs me to various standards for elevated temperature grades based on product form, but for plates, for example (EN 10028-2), the highest temperature specified is 670 ºC. I am aware that Annex E only refers to steels and that nickel-based alloys would be more suitable at this temperature, but I was hoping to find some high-alloy steel, such as Grade 310.

I am a freshly graduated engineer and the only mechanical engineer at the startup where I work, so I admit I am feeling a bit lost here. Could anyone with experience in this field point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dgeesaman]

You may need to consult with a nominating body to get a non-EN material authorized via the PMA process.

I think generally you could be in trouble attempting this all on your own. The EU directives are not intended to make things clear and easy for non-EU companies to easily certify their products and bring them into the EU, in fact it is the opposite. I would hire a consultant - it will save tremendous time and give your company some protection that you did proper diligence and that your product's compliance is aligned with existing products on the EU market.

 

[Trestala]

Are you consistently operating at 850°C or just occasionally? You can still operate some materials at that temperature if just in short durations but will have to consider creep damage. Or you can just apply a refractory lining to isolate the metal to the high temperatures which is what is typically done for stacks or pressure vessels operating at high temperatures.

 

[GlassPowder]

Are you consistently operating at 850°C or just occasionally? You can still operate some materials at that temperature if just in short durations but will have to consider creep damage. Or you can just apply a refractory lining to isolate the metal to the high temperatures which is what is typically done for stacks or pressure vessels operating at high temperatures.

850 ºC continuously. The vessel is a reactor, similar to a methane reformer but unfired. Since the heating comes from an external source, I can't isolate the walls.

 

[GlassPowder]

You may need to consult with a nominating body to get a non-EN material authorized via the PMA process.

I think generally you could be in trouble attempting this all on your own. The EU directives are not intended to make things clear and easy for non-EU companies to easily certify their products and bring them into the EU, in fact it is the opposite. I would hire a consultant - it will save tremendous time and give your company some protection that you did proper diligence and that your product's compliance is aligned with existing products on the EU market.

Thanks.
Yes, I agree, this seems like the best course of action since we are still inexperienced.