Considerations for Operating

Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION CONSORTIUM
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FORUM
MAY 2-3, 2012

Rowe Bansch – RVS Corp.

ASME Section VIII Design

Standard Design Parameters for NH3
Refrigeration Pressure Vessels
 Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP)
of 250 PSI
 Minimum Design Metal Temperature (MDMT)
of -20°F

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ASME Section VIII Design
Design for MDMT to -20°F is governed by
Paragraph UG-20
 Impact testing is not required for carbon
steel pressure vessel materials up to 1” thick
at design temperatures as low as -20°F

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

ASME Section VIII Design

Design for MDMT below -20°F is
governed by Section UCS
 Fig. UCS-66 shall be used to establish impact
testing exemptions for listed carbon steels

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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 Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

ASME Section VIII Design

Figure UCS-66
 Impact testing is required for a combination of
MDMT and material thickness below the curve
 When required, Charpy V-notch impact tests
shall be made on weldments and all pressure
boundary materials

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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 Charpy Test Apparatus

NIST Charpy Verification Rig

University of Leeds

Charpy Test
The falling pendulum weight
strikes a 10 mm square
notched specimen
When struck, the specimen will
be broken or severely deform.
The pendulum’s travel distance
after striking the specimen is
measured on a gauge.
The difference between the
initial pendulum height and the
height after strike is related to
the energy absorbed by the
specimen

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Charpy Impact Test Results

FATT - Fibrous (shear) Appearance Transition Temperature

Here is a technician performing a Charpy impact test

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ASME Section VIII Design
Figure UCS-66
 Standard materials (Curve B) are only exempt
to -20°F
 SA516-70N, SA333 Gr6 (Curve C & D) are
exempt to -55°F

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

ASME Section VIII Design

Figure UCS-66.1
 When the coincident ratio (trE*/tn) is less than
one, Fig. UCS-66.1 provides a basis for a
further reduction in MDMT to as low as -55°F

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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 Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

ASME Section VIII Design

Paragraph UCS-66(b)(3)
 When the coincident ratio (trE*/tn) is less
than or equal to 0.35, impact testing is not
required for MDMT as low as -155°F
 This is primary basis for what we often refer
to as “dual stamping”

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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ASME Section VIII Design
“Dual Stamping”
 Primary Rating of 250 PSI
MAWP @ -20°F to 300°F
 Secondary Rating of 87.5
PSI (35%) @ -60°F

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

ASME Section VIII Design

“Dual Stamping”
 Accepted practice for refrigeration vessels in
which the operating temperature is a function
of the pressure
 Relief valve setting is based on the most
severe condition of coincident pressure and
temperature which is the 250 PSI @ -20 to
300°F

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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ASME Section VIII Design
Recommendation
 Specify “dual stamping” for all low side vessels
 MAWP 250 PSI @ -20 to 300°F and 87.5 PSI
@ -60°F

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

ASME Section VIII Design

Existing vessel operating below MDMT?

 Often discovered during Mechanical Integrity
Inspection
 Operating temperature has been lowered to
increase production or product quality
 Original MDMT was not consistent with actual
operating temperature

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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Reducing Original MDMT
National Board Inspection Code (NBIC)
 Provides rules for inspection, repair and
alteration of vessels in service
 Provides rules for decreasing the MDMT of
vessels in service

Reducing Original MDMT

NBIC Requirements
 Revise calculations verifying the new MDMT
in accordance with the “R” Certificate
Holder’s Quality Control System
 Re-ratings shall be in accordance with the
original Code Addenda to which the pressure
vessel was built

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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Reducing Original MDMT
NBIC Requirements continued
 Current inspection records verify the pressure
vessel is satisfactory for the proposed service
 All NBIC requirements have been met to the
satisfaction of the Authorized Inspector and the
Jurisdiction at the location of the installation

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

Reducing Original MDMT

Re-rating Documentation
 “R” Certificate Holder Nameplate
 Specifying new MDMT and coincident pressure rating
 Attachment to pressure vessel witnessed by Authorized
Inspector

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 Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

Reducing Original MDMT

Re-rating Documentation
 Form R-2 Report of Alteration
 Documenting new MDMT and coincident pressure
rating
 Design Certified by “R” Certificate Holder and
Authorized Inspector
 Certificate of Inspection by witnessing Authorized
Inspector

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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 Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

Reducing Original MDMT

Re-rating
 Operating temperature complies with MDMT
 Complete documentation for Mechanical
Integrity or Jurisdictional Inspection
 Minimal cost compared to replacing pressure
vessel

Considerations for Operating Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

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Considerations for Operating
Pressure Vessels Below -20°F

Questions?

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