A general overview to Pressure Vessel and its Components

What is a Pressure Vessel?

A Pressure Vessel is a closed container that holds liquids and gases, in which pressure is builds by the application of heat from an indirect or direct source, a direct or indirect source of heat builds the pressure in the chamber. It is designed in such a way that pressure at which it holds liquids or gases is different from the surrounding pressure. Difference in pressure can be very dangerous, as it is evident from history that pressure vessel development and operation caused many fatal accidents.

Components of the pressure Vessel

The components of the pressures vessels are as follows:

• Shell
• Head
• Nozzle
• Support

Shell: Shell is the primary component of the pressure vessel, which contains pressure. Shell of pressure vessel is in the form of different plates, welded together to form a specific structure that has common rotational axis. In most of the vessels, the shell is a component that provides the longitudinal length of the vessel. The thickness of the shell based on the pressure and on any additional loads that created by the supports, nozzles and other attachments. Shells are available in cylindrical, spherical or canonical in the shape. Most of the shells have circular shapes, so due to their circular form the equal distribution of forces applies on it.  Horizontal drums have cylindrical shells and constructed in a wide range of diameter and length.

Head: Head is another component of the pressure vessel. All pressure vessels must be closed at the ends by another shell section or by head. Heads are made in the shape of curved rather than flat because the curved configuration of head is stronger, which allows the heads to be thinner, lighter and less expensive than the flat heads. When heads are used inside a pressure vessel, then they are known as “intermediate heads”. These intermediate heads are separate sections of the pressure vessels that permit different design conditions.

Nozzles: Nozzles are also one of the major components of pressure vessel that has insertion in the shell, which later connects to the process pipe. Depending on the design of nozzles, they can also connect to flanges or threaded fitting. Depending on the following given factors manufactures design nozzles:

• Manufactures must consider the metallurgy of the shell and nozzle.
• They must checks the internal and external projections of the nozzle.
• Before designing, they must consider the orientation of nozzle & internal and external forces that acts on the nozzle, such as pressure and piping forces.

Supports:  Support is also a component of pressure vessel that can be used to bear all the loads like, earthquake and wind loads. Depending upon the orientation and size of the pressure vessel, different types of supports are available in market. The design of this component deals with external forces (wind forces and seismic zones) and physical dimensions of the vessel such as weight, length etc.

What are the Advantages of Pressure Vessel?

Pressure vessel has the following given uses in different manufacturing industries:

• Pressure vessels are used in different industries like Petroleum refining, Chemical, Power, Food & beverage and Pharmaceutical.
• They can be used as storage of high-pressure gas, gas scrubbers, two and three phase separators and some other functions.
• They can be used in different types of boilers such as steam boilers etc. 

For more information about fabrication and pressure vessel design you can visit   http://millenniumind.com/