UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY –VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HCMC

FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

DIVISION OF PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT

THE PROJECT

OF

MECHANICAL DESIGN OF PROCESS EQUIPMENT

Student Name: Nguyễn Quốc Phong

Student ID: 1752414

Supervisor: Dr. Tạ Đăng Khoa

September 2020
Table of Contents
1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... 2
2. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 2
3. GENERAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS: ........................................................................ 3
3.1 Design Pressure & Design Temperature ............................................................................. 3
3.2 Material of Construction................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Shell Thickness ............................................................................................................... 5
3.4 Selection and Sizing of Vessel Head .................................................................................. 6
3.5 Total Dead Weight Loads of Vessel ................................................................................... 6
3.5.1. Weight of Vessel ................................................................................................. 7
3.5.2. Weight of Liquid .................................................................................................. 7
3.5.3. Weight of Insulator ............................................................................................. 7
3.6 Wind Loading ................................................................................................................. 8
3.7 Analysis of Stresses ......................................................................................................... 8
3.7.1 Pressure stresses ................................................................................................ 8
3.7.2 Dead weight stress .............................................................................................. 8
3.7.3 Bending stresses ................................................................................................. 8
3.8 Seismic Loading............................................................................................................ 10
3.9 Critical Buckling ........................................................................................................... 10
3.10 Vessel Support Design ................................................................................................. 10
3.11 Stiffness Ring.............................................................................................................. 12
3.12 Flange Design ............................................................................................................. 12
4. SUMMARY: ..................................................................................................................... 13
5. REFERENCES: ............................................................................................................... 14
6. APPENDIX: ..................................................................................................................... 15

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1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I already conducted the mechanical design for vertical vessel. The design pressure and
temperature we use is 5 atm and 300oC. Maximum design pressure at which maximum
allowable stress is evaluated should be taken as maximum working temperature. Due to
the allowance for any uncertainty involved in predicting vessel wall temperature. As for
the thickness of the shell, thoop governs the thickness of the vessel because it is higher
compared to the tlong. The vessel should be at least 8 mm. The thickness of vessel is
important to avoid corrosion at the vessel. The head use for the vessel is circular top flat
head that required minimum value of 50 mm and bottom is ellipsoidal head that required
minimum value of 8 mm as the same of the thickness of vessel.

2. INTRODUCTION
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a highly volatile organic solvent, water miscible, and flammable
liquid which is colorless (Michael Abushinow, 2009) Tetrahydrofuran is a cyclic,
aliphatic ether with an odor properties that resembling acetone (BASF Corporation, 1998).
Tetrahydrofuran has many usages as a solvent, reaction medium, or starting product for
syntheses. It is being used as a solvent in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), manufacturing of
magnetic tape, cements and coatings. Besides that, tetrahydrofuran also primarily used by
the pharmaceutical industry as reaction medium such as in Grignard syntheses or lithium
aluminum hydride reductions (BASF Corporation, 1998).

Based on modified Davy’s Technology, tetrahydrofuran is produced via hydrogenation of

maleic anhydride in which it is firstly hydrolyzed into maleic acid in a continuous stirred
reactor (CSTR). The maleic acid produced will undergo series of catalytic hydrogenation
before converted into tetrahydrofuran by using vertical packed bed reactor with pressure
drop of reactor is 29.163 kpa and residence time 38.3 s.

A process for the production of tetrahydrofuran (THF), gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and
succinic acid with maleic esters as starting materials, characterized in that it comprises a
sequence of the following three reaction steps in which the highest conversion achieved is
94.5%.

Reaction 1: Hydrogenation of maleic acid (MAC) into succinic acid (SAC)

C4H4O4 + H2 → C4H6O4

MAC + H2 → SAC

Reaction 2: Hydrogenation of succinic acid (SAC) into gamma butyrolactone (GBL)

C4H6O4 + 2H2 → C4H6O2 + 2H2O

SAC + 2H2 → GBL + 2H2O

Reaction 3: Hydrogenation of gamma butyrolactone (GBL) into tetrahydrofuran (THF)

C4H6O2 + 2H2 → C4H8O + H2O

GBL + 2H2 → THF + 2H2O

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 In this reaction process, palladium or rhenium is used as catalyst in which it is being
coated with carbon support. For the reaction to occur the carbon will maximizes the
available surface and the palladium and rhenium metal provide active sites for the
hydrogen to be absorbed so the available hydrogen will be readily to react when
intermediates comes in contact with it (Michael Abushinow, 2009).

3. GENERAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:

3.1 Design Pressure & Design Temperature

Design pressure is a pressure which uses to design a vessel that can withstand the
maximum pressure which is subjected in the operation. To calculate the design pressure,
the formula use is given in equation 3.10. Next, along with design pressure, the design
temperature is also a critical parameter in the design and material selection of process
equipment, instrumentation and piping (Vilas, 2016). This is due to the strength of metal
are affected with the temperature. The higher the temperature, it will cause a depletion of
strength in metal. Usually, the minimum design metal temperature should be taken as the
lowest temperature expected in service .The important thing that an engineer should
consider before designating a suitable maximum design temperature are consist of the
lowest operating temperature, ambient temperature, auto-refrigeration, process upsets and
other sources of cooling in determining the minimum (Towler, 2009). In the process of
THF, based on the Figure 1.0, vessel is assumed to operate at pressure of 5 at and
temperature of 300ºC.

Figure 1. Vertical Vessel

Design pressure:

𝑃𝐷 = 𝑃 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ = 5 𝑥 14.7 + 1049 𝑥 9.8 𝑥4 𝑥 0.145 𝑥10−3 = 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖) (3.10)

Design temperature:

𝑇𝐷 = 300𝑜 𝐶 (𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) = 608𝑜 𝐹

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From Table 13.2 which show the typical maximum allowable stress under ASME BPV
Code Sec. VIII D.1 based on (Towler, 2009) given in Appendix 1, the maximum
allowable stress is

𝑆 = 11.368 𝑥 103 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)

3.2 Material of Construction

In the process of choosing material for the pressure vessel, many factors that need to be
considered which include the cost, fabricability, service condition (wear, corrosion,
operating temperature) and also the material availability strength requirements
(Livingston, 2000). Most common material that constructed a pressure vessel are usually
made from plain carbon steel, low and high alloy steels, clad plate and reinforced plastics.
Among all these material, plain carbon steel, low alloy steels, clad plate and reinforce
plastic are rejected due to its disadvantage such as for instance, even though carbon steels
offers the advantages of easy availability, low price, ease of fabrication but it also are very
prone to corrosion especially if exposed to high-humidity or saline-industrial
environments (P. Zarras, 2014). Next, for low alloy steel, it also not considered for vessel
due to their prone of corrosion and overall low strength at high temperature. Besides that,
reinforced plastic and clad plate are rejected due to their complex and highly specialized
design (ClubTechnical, 2018) while the latter give such problems as sigma-phase
precipitation, embrittlement phenomena due to precipitation of Cr carbides, and the
deterioration of corrosion resistance if heat treatment after welded happen at around the
range of 600ºC and 650ºC. (JFE Steel Corporation).

In order to manufacturing the vessel, Stainless Steel Grade-304 was chosen compared to
other grade such as grade 316 and 410 after taking note of all factors. First, Stainless Steel
Grade-304 is chosen because it is the most common form of stainless steel used around
the world, largely due to its excellent corrosion resistance and value (Reliance Foundry,
2017). It also contains 18% of Chromium and 8% of Nickel austenitic alloy which have
characteristics that increase the steel strength and adding depth harden ability with
improved resistance to abrasion and wear (L.Duhatra, 2016). Compared to martensitic
stainless steels like 410 that tend to be brittle and are not readily formable, austenitic
stainless steels are usually the best choice when it comes to formable stainless steels
(Metal Supermarkets, 2016) Besides, it also offers lower cost resistant corrosion in
intermittent service up to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C (Bohn, 2012). And
although Grade 316 is similar to grade 304 in term of their anti-corrosion resistance, the
added features of molybdenum increase the design cost which can be avoid. In addition,
SS-304 also provides an ease of fabrication and cleaning, as to prevent cross
contamination of stainless steel by easily corroded metals that may discolor the surface of
the fabricated product. Last but not least, by referring to property data covered by BS EN
10269:2013, the tensile strength for SS-304 are around the range 520 MPa to 720 MPa,
proof stress for 210 min and elongation A50 mm for 45 min% (Bohn, 2012) (Aalco,
2005).

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304 Stainless Physical Properties:

• Density: 7930 kg/m3

• Electrical resistivity: 72 microhm-cm (20C)
• Specific Heat: 500 J/kg °K (0-100°C)
• Thermal conductivity: 16.3 W/m-k (100°C)
• Modulus of Elasticity (MPa): 193 x 103 in tension
• Melting Range: 2550-2650°F (1399-1454°C)

Element Type 304 (%)

Carbon 0.08 max

Manganese 2.00 max
Phosphorus 0.045 max
Sulfur 0.03 max
Silicon 0.75 max
Chromium 18.00-20.00
Nickel 8.00-10.50
Nitrogen 0.10 max
Iron Balance

3.3 Shell Thickness

To calculate the cylinder shell thickness, the equation specified by the ASME BPV code
is given in equation 3.11 and 3.12, in which Di is the internal diameter, t is minimum
thickness required, S is the maximum allowable stress, Pi is the internal pressure, and E is
the welded-joint efficiency. In this vessel design, a joint efficiency of 1.0 which are the
Double-welded butt join that are fully radiographed are chosen. By taking this factor of
1.0, this implies that joint of THF reactor is equally strong as the virgin plate and the
shells are less thick, with no defection found if they are fully radiographed. Plus ASME
VIII requires that the welded joint be fully radiographed for a vessel that contains lethal
gases, as for example when the formation of amount of peroxide that may form in THF
production following prolonged contact with oxygen or air (BASF Corporation, 1998)
(Hopgood, 2017).

For the vessel, the given value for Di is 1.5 m, S is 11.368x103 psi, and PD is 79.18 psi and
E is 1.0 by referring to the Table 13.3 from the Appendix 2.
𝑃𝐷 𝑅 𝑖 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥 0.75 𝑥103 (𝑚𝑚)
𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑝 = 𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 = = (3.11)
𝑆𝐸−0.6𝑃𝐷 11.368 𝑥 103 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥 1−0.6 𝑥 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)

= 5.25 (𝑚𝑚) = 0.206 (𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ)

𝑃 𝑅
𝐷 𝑖 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥 0.75 𝑥103 (𝑚𝑚)
𝑡𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 = 2𝑆𝐸+0.4𝑃 = 2𝑥 11.368 𝑥 103(𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥 1+0.4 𝑥 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖) (3.12)
𝐷

= 2.61 (𝑚𝑚) = 0.102 (𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ)

Since tcode > tlong, thus tcode will govern the thickness of vessel.

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 𝑚𝑚
By adding the corrosion allowance (𝐾𝑎 = 0.2 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜏 = 10 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠) for about tche= 2mm
to the thickness

𝑡 = 𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 + 𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒 = 5.25 + 2 = 7.25 (𝑚𝑚) (3.13)

By adding materials to round up dimension to equal to standard thickness

Therefore, and this make the vessel thickness is approximately at least t =8 mm.

3.4 Selection and Sizing of Vessel Head

The cylindrical vessel are closed by various type of vessel head shape which is flat heads,
hemispherical heads, ellipsoidal heads and torispherical heads (Towler, 2009). The
selection for the vessel heads are chosen by referring to the pressure and diameter of the
reactor. For this vessel, the top head is circular flat head and bottom head is ellipsoidal
head.

With top head is flat head which is clamped between 2 flanges, the ASME BPV Code
specifies the minimum thickness as:

𝐶𝑃 0.17𝑥79.18
𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑝 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 = 𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 = 𝐷𝑖 √ 𝑆𝐸𝐷 = 1508𝑥√11.368𝑥103 = 52 (𝑚𝑚) (3.14)

With bottom head is ellipsoidal head:

𝑃 𝐷𝐷 𝑖 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥 1.5 𝑥103 (𝑚𝑚)

𝑡𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 = 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑙 = 2𝑆𝐸−0.2𝑃 = (3.15)
𝐷 2𝑥 11.368 𝑥 103 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥 1−0.2 𝑥 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)

= 5.23 (𝑚𝑚)
𝑚𝑚
By adding the corrosion allowance (𝐾𝑎 = 0.2 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜏 = 10 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠) for about tche= 2mm
to the thickness

𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑝 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 = 52 + 2 = 54 (𝑚𝑚) (3.16)

𝑡𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 = 5.23 + 2 = 7.23 (𝑚𝑚) (3.17)

By adding materials to round up dimension to equal to standard thickness

Therefore, and this make the vessel thickness is approximately at least ttop = 55 mm and
tbottom= 8 mm.

3.5 Total Dead Weight Loads of Vessel

Pressure vessel is subjected to other load in addition to pressure and must be designed to
withstand the worst combination of loading without failure. One of the main sources of
load that need to be considered is the total dead weight of vessel and its contents. In this
calculation, the major sources of dead weight loads that are chosen for the reactor consists
of the weight of vessel shell, weight of liquid and also weight of insulator.

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑊𝑧 = 𝑊𝑣 + 𝑊𝑙 +𝑊𝑖 (3.18)

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3.5.1. Weight of Vessel
𝑊𝑣 = 𝜋𝐶𝑤 𝜌𝑚 𝐷𝑚 𝑔(𝐻𝑣 + 0.8𝐷𝑚 )𝑡 (3.19)

Where:

Cw : a factor to account for the weight of nozzles, manways, internal supports, etc; which
can be taken as

• 1.08 for vessels with only a few internal fittings.

• 1.15 for distillation columns, or similar vessels, with several manways, and with
plate support rings, or equivalent fittings.

𝜌𝑚 : density of vessel material, kg/m3

Dm: mean diameter of vessel =(Di+t), m

t: the wall thickness of vessel, m

Hv: the height of the vessel, m

𝑘𝑔 𝑚
𝑊𝑣 = 𝜋 𝑥1.08𝑥 7930 ( 3 ) 𝑥 1.508(𝑚)𝑥 9.8 ( 2 ) 𝑥(4 + 0.8𝑥1.508)𝑥0.008
𝑚 𝑠
= 16561.58 𝑁

3.5.2. Weight of Liquid

The vessel will contain full of liquid so height of liquid Hl=4 m, density of THF 𝜌𝑙 =
887.6 kg/m3.
𝜋
𝑊𝑙 = 𝑚𝑙 𝑔 = 𝐷2 𝜌𝑙 𝐻𝑙 𝑔 (3.20)
4

𝜋 𝑘𝑔 𝑚
= 𝑥1.52 (𝑚2 )𝑥887.6 ( 3 ) 𝑥4 (𝑚)𝑥9.8 ( 2 )
4 𝑚 𝑠

= 61485.9 𝑁

3.5.3. Weight of Insulator

Take mineral wool as insulator due to their ideal as insulator characteristic which are
capable withstanding temperatures up to 850 °C. On top of that, mineral wool is easy to
install. It is not a loosely pressed sheet of material like fiberglass, but instead a more firm,
almost sponge-like material that holds its shape. It can be cut easily into precise lengths
using a simple utility knife. And finally, unlike other insulation options; mineral wool dries
quickly and effectively, making it less susceptible to mold growth (Barrett, 2015).Based on
typical value density of insulating materials, the density of mineral wool is 130 kg/m3.

Volume of Insulator:

𝑉𝑖 = 𝜋𝐷𝑣 𝐻𝑣 𝑡𝑖 = 𝜋 𝑥 1.5 (𝑚) 𝑥 4 (𝑚) 𝑥 0.075 (𝑚) = 1.414 𝑚3 (3.21)

Weight of Insulator:
𝑘𝑔 𝑚
𝑊𝑖 = 𝑉𝑖 𝜌𝑖 𝑔 = 1.414 (𝑚3 )𝑥 130 (𝑚3 ) 𝑥 9.8 (𝑠2 ) (3.22)

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 = 1801.44 𝑥 2 = 3602.88 (𝑁) (to allow fitting)

Therefore, the total dead weight is:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑊𝑧 = 𝑊𝑣 + 𝑊𝑙 +𝑊𝑖

= 16561.58 + 61485.9 + 3602.88 = 81650 (𝑁) = 81.65 (𝑘𝑁)

3.6 Wind Loading

Wind loading is very important on tall vessel that is installed in the open area and it must
be designed to withstand the highest wind speed that is likely to be encountered at the site
during the life of the plant. If our pressure vessel of THF production is in the open area, the
maximum wind speed occur for the month of November is uw = 11.5 km/h (World Weather
Online, 2020).

Wind pressure:

𝑃𝑤 = 0.05𝑢𝑤 2 = 0.05𝑥(11.5)2 = 6.6125 𝑁/𝑚2 (3.23)

Mean diameter (including insulation):

𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 1.5𝑚 + 1.508𝑚(0.008𝑚 + 0.075𝑚) = 1.625 𝑚 (3.24)

Wind loading (per linear meter)

𝑊 = 𝑃𝑤 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 6.6125 𝑥 1.625 = 10.75 𝑁/𝑚 (3.25)

Bending moment at bottom tangent line

𝑊 10.75 𝑁
𝑀𝑥 = 𝐻2 = (𝑚) 𝑥42 (𝑚2 ) = 86 𝑁. 𝑚 (3.26)
2 2

3.7 Analysis of Stresses

Stress analysis is an important part of engineering science, as failure of most engineering

component is usually due to stress. To do analysis of stresses of pressure vessel, these steps
below are required to calculate principal stress of reactor.

3.7.1 Pressure stresses

𝑃𝐷 𝐷𝑖 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥1.5 (𝑚)
𝜎ℎ = = = 7423.13 (𝑝𝑠𝑖) = 51.18 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2(3.27)
2𝑡 2𝑥8𝑥10−3 (𝑚)

𝑃𝐷 𝐷𝑖 79.18 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)𝑥1.5 (𝑚)

𝜎𝐿 = = = 3711.56 (𝑝𝑠𝑖) = 25.59 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2(3.28)
4𝑡 4𝑥8𝑥10−3 (𝑚)

3.7.2 Dead weight stress

𝑊𝑧 81.65𝑥103 (𝑁)
𝜎𝑤 = = = 2.154 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (compressive) (3.29)
𝜋(𝐷𝑖 +𝑡)𝑡 𝜋𝑥(1500+8)(𝑚𝑚) 𝑥 8(𝑚𝑚)

3.7.3 Bending stresses

𝐷𝑜 = 𝐷𝑖 + 2𝑡 = 1500 + 2𝑥8 = 1516 (𝑚𝑚) (3.30)
𝜋 𝜋
𝐼𝑣 = 64 (𝐷𝑜 4 − 𝐷𝑖 4 ) = 64 𝑥(15164 − 15004 ) = 8.11𝑥109 𝑚𝑚4 (3.31)

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 𝑀 𝑥 𝐷𝑖 86 𝑥103 (𝑁𝑚) 1500 (𝑚𝑚)
𝜎𝑏 = ± ( 2 + 𝑡) = ± 8.11𝑥109 (𝑚𝑚4 ) ( + 8(𝑚𝑚𝑚)) (3.32)
𝐼𝑣 2

= ±8.038𝑥10−3 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

The resultant longitudinal stress is:

𝜎𝑧 = 𝜎𝐿 + 𝜎𝑤 + 𝜎𝑏 (3.33)

𝜎𝑤 is compressive so it will be negative stress

𝜎𝑧 (upwind) = 𝜎𝐿 − 𝜎𝑤 + 𝜎𝑏 = 25.59 − 2.154 +8.038𝑥10−3 =23.44 N/mm2

𝜎𝑧 (upwind) = 𝜎𝐿 − 𝜎𝑤 − 𝜎𝑏 = 25.59 − 2.154 − 8.038𝑥10−3 =23.42 N/mm2

23.44 N/mm2

51.18 N/mm2

Figure 2. Up-Winds

23.42 N/mm2

51.18 N/mm2

Figure 3. Down-Winds

As there is no torsional shear stress, the principal stress will be and .The radial stress is
negligible, PD/2 = 39.59 psi= 0.273 N/mm2 .The greatest difference between the

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principal stresses will be on down-wind side in equation 3.34 is well below the maximum
allowable stress:

𝜎ℎ − 𝜎𝑧 = 51.18 − 23.42 = 27.76 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (3.34)

3.8 Seismic Loading

From the Vietnam geographic location which it is not located on the Ring of Fire.
Therefore, we are a country that free from natural disaster such as earthquakes that
causes tsunamis and also volcanic eruptions. Other than that, Viet Nam also located
outside of the pathway of hurricanes, hence, why Viet Nam do not really have tornadoes.
So, seismic loading is not needed.

3.9 Critical Buckling

Stress Buckling is characterized by a sudden failure of a structural member subjected to

high compressive stress, where the actual compressive stress at the point of failure is less
than the ultimate compressive stresses that the material is capable of withstanding. To
calculate buckling stress, the equation 3.31 and 3.32 is given below.

𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜎𝑤 + 𝜎𝑏 = 2.154 + 8.038𝑥10−3 = 2.16 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (3.35)

𝑡 8
𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐵𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜎𝑐 = 2𝑥104 𝑥 𝐷 = 2𝑥104 𝑥 1500 = 106.6 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 (3.36)
𝑖

Maximum compressive stress = 2.16 N/mm2 < 106.6 N/mm2 which is well below the
critical buckling stress. Therefore, the design is satistactory.

3.10 Vessel Support Design

Vessel support design is used to support pressure vessel. It is depending on the

parameters of the vessel such as the size, shape, weight of the vessel, design temperature
and pressure, location and fittings. For this vessel, skirt supports are considered as it is
suitable for THF reactor vessel that is vertical column and tall.

For this design, a straight cylindrical skirt with θs =60º of plain carbon steel is consider,
with maximum allowable stress is 89 N/mm2 and Young’s modulus 200,000 N/mm2 at
ambient temperature.

The skirt height for this reactor is defined by x in which the height of skirt

𝑥 = 1.5𝐷𝑖 = 1.5𝑥1.5 = 2.25 𝑚 (3.37)

Next, to design a skirt support, firstly, calculate the maximum dead weight load on the
skirt that will occur when the vessel is full of liquid.

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑊𝑧 = 𝑊𝑣 + 𝑊𝑙 +𝑊𝑖

= 16561.58 + 61485.9 + 3602.88 = 81650 (𝑁) = 81.65 (𝑘𝑁)

Wind loading (per linear meter) is W = 10.75 N/m

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Bending moment at the base of skirt if x = skirt height + vessel height, where skirt height is
2.25 m and reactor height is 4 m.
𝑊 10.75
𝑀𝑠 = 𝑥2 = 𝑥6.252 = 209.96 𝑁𝑚 (3.38)
2 2

As a first trial, take skirt thickness as the same as that of thickness of vessel, which is
tsk=8 mm,

4𝑀𝑠 4𝑥209.96 (𝑁𝑚)𝑥1000(𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑏𝑠 = = (3.39)
𝜋(𝐷𝑠𝑘 +𝑡𝑠𝑘 )𝐷𝑠𝑘 𝑡𝑠𝑘 𝜋𝑥(1500𝑚𝑚+8𝑚𝑚) 𝑥 1500𝑚𝑚 𝑥 8𝑚𝑚

= 14.77 𝑥 10−3 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

𝑊𝑧 81650 (𝑁)
𝜎𝑤𝑠 (𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡) = = (3.40)
𝜋(𝐷𝑠𝑘 +𝑡𝑠𝑘 )𝑡𝑠𝑘 𝜋𝑥(1500𝑚𝑚+8𝑚𝑚) 𝑥 8𝑚𝑚

= 2.15 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

𝑊𝑣 16561.58 (𝑁)
𝜎𝑤𝑠 (𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔) = = (3.41)
𝜋(𝐷𝑠𝑘 +𝑡𝑠𝑘 )𝑡𝑠𝑘 𝜋𝑥(1500𝑚𝑚+8𝑚𝑚) 𝑥 8𝑚𝑚

= 0.44 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

Maximum 𝜎̂𝑠 (Compressive) = 𝜎𝑏𝑠 + 𝜎𝑤𝑠 (𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡) (3.42)

= 14.77 𝑥 10−3 + 2.15 = 2.165 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

Maximum 𝜎̂𝑠 (Tensile) = 𝜎𝑏𝑠 − 𝜎𝑤𝑠 (𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔) (3.43)

= 14.77 𝑥 10−3 − 0.44 = −0.425 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

Take the joint efficiency E as 1.00

Criteria for design:

𝜎̂𝑠 (Tensile) < 𝑆𝑆 𝐸𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑠

𝑁 𝑁
−0.425 < 89 𝑥 1 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛60°
𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚2
𝑁 𝑁
−0.425 < 89
𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚2
𝑡𝑠𝑘
𝜎̂𝑠 (Compressive) < 0.125𝐸𝑦 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑠
𝐷𝑠𝑘
𝑁 𝑁 8
2.165 < 0.125 𝑥 200000 ( )𝑥 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛60°
𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚 2 1500
𝑁 𝑁
2.165 < 133
𝑚𝑚2 𝑚𝑚2

Since both 𝜎̂𝑠 (Compressive) and 𝜎̂𝑠 (Tensile) meet the requirement, the skirt thickness,

𝑡𝑠𝑘 = 8 𝑚𝑚 + 𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒 = 8𝑚𝑚 + 2𝑚𝑚 = 10 𝑚𝑚 (3.44)

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3.11 Stiffness Ring

Stiffness ring is defined as a controlling stress in a certain locations of pressure vessel.

It’s also being proved to be cost effective and easy to assembly. In pressure vessel, the
inlet and outlet of fluid are the requirement for nozzles and it is often equipped with
nozzles and stiffeners of various shapes, sizes and positions. (Pushpa Khot, 2016) For
this pressure vessel, maximum compressive stress is lower than buckling stress. So, there
is no requirement for stiffness ring and the vessel is safe to be used in the process.

3.12 Flange Design

Standard flanges are available in a range of types, sizes and materials; and are used
extensively for pipes, nozzles and other attachments to pressure vessels. Standard flanges
are designated by class numbers, or rating numbers, which roughly correspond to the
primary service (pressure) rating of a steel flange of those dimensions at room
temperature.

According to “Design calculation of equipment details chemicals and petroleum” book’s

Ho Le Vien:

With diameter of vessel is 1500mm, I choose parameters of flanges which is suitable for
my design:

Figure 4. Flange Parameters

Dy 1500mm
D 1680 mm
Db 1630 mm
Dz 1590 mm
f 5 mm
h 38mm
n 36
Type of bolt and nut M27

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4. SUMMARY:

Design Temperature 300oC

Design Pressure 79.18 psi

Vessel Thickness 8 mm

Heads for Vessel

ttop 55 mm

tbottom 8mm

Dead weight of vessel and content

Weight of vessel 16561.58 N

Weight of liquid 61485.9 N

Weight of insulator 3602.88 N

Design of Vessel Support

Type Skirt

Thickness 10 mm

Flange Design

Dy 1500mm

D 1680 mm

Db 1630 mm

Dz 1590 mm

f 5 mm

h 38mm

n 36

Type of bolt and nut M27

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5. REFERENCES:

[1] Somnath Chattopadhyay, Pressure Vessel Design and Practice, CRC Press 2005

[2] Dennis Moss, Pressure Vessel Design Manual, Elsevier 3rd Edition

[3] Donatello Annaratone, Pressure Vessel Design, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

2007

[4] ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code – 2004

[5] Ho Le Vien, Tính toán thiết kế các chi tiết thiết bị hóa chất và dầu khí, NXB KHKT,
Hà Nội 2006

[6] BASF Corporation. (1998). Tetrahydrofuran (THF) Handling and Storage. North
Mount Olive: BASF Corporation.

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6. APPENDIX:

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