Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

COMPUTING THE PARTIAL VOLUME OF PRESSURE VESSELS

Bent Wiencke
Issaquah, WA 98029
November 8, 2008
E: bwiencke@gmail.com

Abstract

The computation of the partial and total volume of pressure vessels with various type of head
profiles requires detailed knowledge of the head profile geometry. Depending on the type of
head profile the derivation of the equations can become very complex and the calculation process
cumbersome. Certain head profiles require numerical methods to obtain the partial volume,
which for most application is beyond the scope of practicability. This paper suggests a unique
method that simplifies the calculation procedure for the various types of head profiles by using
one common set of equations without the need for numerical or complex computation methods.
For ease of use, all equations presented in this paper are summarized in a single table format for
horizontal and vertical vessels.

1.0 Introduction

Numerous applications require an accurate estimation of a fluid stored in a vessel. For example,
regulatory requirements such as PSM/RMP requires owners and operators of systems with
hazardous chemicals to know the amount of chemical contained in the vessels and in the entire
system. In refrigeration, liquid contained in vessels shall not occupy more than 90% of the
vessel volume. For vessels fitted with level transmitters it is sometimes desirable to
automatically calculate and display the liquid volume, weight or charge in a vessel.
Refrigeration contractors have to exactly determine how much refrigerant must be initially
charged to operate a system reliably. Surge and ballast volumes must be accurately calculated to
properly size vessels. However, the engineer is challenged with the fact that vessels are
constructed with dished heads, and formulas to estimate the liquid volume in the head portion are
not readily available in open literature. This paper will close this gap and demonstrate how the
equations for calculating partial and total volumes in vessels with various types of head profiles
are derived and applied.

2.0 Horizontal Vessels

Commonly only 3 parameters are known when attempting to calculate the liquid volume in
vessels: the outer diameter (OD), the liquid level within the vessel (H), and the over all length
(OAL) or sometimes the shell length (SL) of the vessel (see Figure 1). Conclusively it is
desirable to develop a set of equations that calculate the liquid volume of vessels based solely on
these three parameters. In addition, the type of head used must be known, and for more accurate
calculations the wall thickness (t) of the vessel must be known. The required information can
easily be obtained from the vessels U-1A form or similar pressure vessel certificates.

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

OAL
CL
SL

OD

VH H t

Figure 1: Schematic of a horizontal vessel

2.1 Cylindrical Vessel Section of Horizontal Vessels

Figure 2 shows a schematic of a partial cross sectional area of a horizontal shell.

ID
a

AH H

S
Figure 2: Partial cross sectional area of a horizontal vessel shell.

The first step in calculating the liquid volume occupying a vessel requires the computation of the
partial cross sectional area of the cylindrical portion of the vessel occupied by the liquid:

π α ( ID / 2 − H ) ⋅ S / 2
AH ,Cyl = ⋅ ID 2 ⋅ − 2⋅ (1)
4 2π 2

with
( ID / 2 − H )
cos(α / 2 ) = ( 2a )
ID / 2

⎛ H ⎞
α = 2 ⋅ arccos⎜1 − 2 ⋅ ⎟ (2b)
⎝ ID ⎠

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

( S / 2) 2 + ( ID / 2 − H ) 2 = ( ID / 2) 2 (3a )

S 2 = 4 ⋅ ( ID ⋅ H − H 2 ) (3b)

S = 2 ⋅ ID ⋅ H − H 2 (3c)

Substituting (α) and (S) in eqn. (1) with eqn. (2b) and (3c) results in the following eqn. (4):

⎡1 ⎛ H ⎞ ⎛1 H ⎞ H ⎛ H ⎞ ⎤
2

AH ,Cyl = ID 2 ⋅ ⎢ ⋅ arccos⎜1 − 2 ⋅ ⎟ − ⎜ − ⎟ ⋅ − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ( 4)
⎢4 ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ 2 ID ⎠ ID ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

H
with 0 ≤ H ≤ ID or 0 ≤ ≤1
ID

Alternately, eqn. (3c) can be integrated over the liquid height (H) with respect to dH. Although,
different in format the resulting equation provides results identical to eqn. (4).

The liquid volume occupying the cylindrical portion of the vessel is calculated with:

VH ,Cyl = CL ⋅ AH ,Cyl (5)

2.2 Vessel Heads of Horizontal Vessels

To simplify the calculation process, at this point the assumption is made that the rounded dished
portion of all head profiles can be defined as an ellipsoid in the horizontal plane for all values of
(H). This assumption is valid for semi-elliptical and hemispherical heads. For other heads this
method introduces a minor but generally negligible error. Using this method will simplify the
calculation process and allow for the usage of the same set of equations for all head profiles.
t

L
b = 2·IDD IDD
a = ID
ID

OD

SF

Figure 3a and 3b: Schematic of ellipsoid and vessel head profile.

Figure 3a and 3b illustrates a schematic of an ellipsoid and a vessel head. As illustrated in 3b, a
typical head commonly exists of a cylindrical portion and a dished portion. The inside depth of
the head dish varies with the liquid height (H) and is at its maximum where (H) is half the

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

diameter of the vessel. The maximum inside dish depth is commonly designated with IDD. As
per the design criteria of an elliptical head, the ratio between the long and short axis of the head
is constant with varying liquid level (H). To make the calculation process simpler a constant (c)
shall be introduced, which represents the ratio between the short axis and the long axis of the
ellipsoid:

b 2 ⋅ IDD
c= = ( 6)
a ID

The area of an ellipsoid is defined by the following formula:

π π
AEllipsoid = ⋅a ⋅b = c ⋅ ⋅ a2 (7)
4 4

The cross sectional area in the horizontal plane of a head varies with the height of the liquid level
(H). To compute this cross sectional area at the liquid level (H) and using Figure 2 as a
reference, the following relationship is introduced:

1 π π
AS ,Head = ⋅ (c ⋅ ⋅ S 2 ) = c ⋅ ⋅ S 2 (8)
2 4 8

Since (S) is unknown in eqn. (8), (S) is substituted with eqn. (3b):

π π
AS ,Head = c ⋅ ⋅ 4 ⋅ ( ID ⋅ H − H 2 ) = c ⋅ ⋅ ( ID ⋅ H − H 2 ) (9)
8 2

To calculate the liquid volume occupying a single head without the straight or cylindrical portion
of the head, eqn. (9) must be integrated over the liquid height (H) with respect to dH:

π H

2∫
VH ,Head = c ⋅ ( ID ⋅ H − H 2
) dH (10)
0

π ⎡1
H
1 ⎤
VH ,Head = c ⋅ ⋅ ⎢ ⋅ ID ⋅ H 2 − ⋅ H 3 ⎥ (11a )
2 ⎣2 3 ⎦0

π ⎡ ⎛ H ⎞2 ⎛H ⎞ ⎤
3

VH ,Head = c ⋅ ⋅ ID 3 ⋅ ⎢3 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ − 2 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ (11b)
12 ⎢⎣ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎥⎦

H
with 0 ≤ H ≤ ID or 0 ≤ ≤1
ID

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

2.3 Total Liquid Volume of a Horizontal Vessel

Figure 4 shows the key parameters of a horizontal vessel.

OAL
ITL
CL
SL

IDD OD ID

VH H

SF t
Figure 4: Schematic of horizontal vessel

The total liquid volume of a horizontal vessel is the sum of the liquid volume contained in the
dished portion of both heads added to the liquid volume contained in the cylindrical portion of
the vessel:

VH = VH ,Cyl + 2 ⋅ VH , Head (12a )

π ⎡ ⎛ H ⎞2 ⎛H ⎞ ⎤
3

VH = CL ⋅ AH ,Cyl + c ⋅ ⋅ ID 3 ⋅ ⎢3 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ − 2 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ (12b)
6 ⎢⎣ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎥⎦

The cylindrical section of a horizontal vessel (CL) is calculated with:

CL = OAL − 2 ⋅ t − 2 ⋅ IDD (13)

Inserting eqn. (4) and eqn. (13) into eqn. (12b), eqn. (12b) can be rewritten as:

⎛ OAL − 2 ⋅ t − 2 ⋅ IDD ⎞ ⎛⎜ 1 ⎛ 1 H ⎞ H ⎛ H ⎞ ⎞⎟
2
H
VH = ID ⋅ ⎜
3
⎟ ⋅ ⎜ ⋅ arccos(1 − 2 ⋅ ) − ⎜ − ⎟⋅ −⎜ ⎟
⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝4 ID ⎝ 2 ID ⎠ ID ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎟
⎠
π ⎛ ⎛ H ⎞2 ⎛ H ⎞ ⎞⎟
3
⎜
+ c ⋅ ⋅ ID ⋅ 3 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ − 2 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟
3
(15)
6 ⎜ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎟⎠
⎝

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

OAL ≥ (2 ⋅ IDD + 2 ⋅ t )
H
with 0 ≤ H ≤ ID or 0≤ ≤ 1 and
ID

It is not uncommon that the thickness of the vessel shell differs from the thickness of the heads.
But, for all practical purposes and since the difference is minor compared to the overall size of
the vessel, the assumption can be made that the thickness of the head is equal to the thickness of
the vessel shell. The resulting error is negligible.

3.0 Vertical Vessels

When calculating the liquid volume in a vertical vessel, the vessel must be divided in to three
individual sections: the bottom head, the cylindrical portion, and the top head. Figure 5 shows a
schematic of a vertical vessel.

OD

ID
OAL
t
ITL
CL
SL

H
SF

IDD

Figure 5: Schematic of a vertical vessel.

3.1 Vessel Heads of Vertical Vessels

Figure 6 shows a schematic of a bottom head of a vertical vessel.

ID
SF
IDD
H

Figure 6: Bottom head of a vertical vessel.

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

The area in the horizontal plane occupied by the liquid is calculated by:

π
ASBH ,Head = ⋅S2 (16)
4

To find an expression for ASBH,Head, as a function of the liquid level (H) for a bottom head, the
following relationship is introduced:

2 2
⎛S⎞ 1 ⎛ ID ⎞
⎜ ⎟ + ( ⋅ ( IDD − H )) = ⎜ ⎟
2
(17)
⎝2⎠ c ⎝ 2 ⎠

inserting eqn. (6) into eqn. (17), eqn. (17) can be rewritten as:

2 2
⎛S⎞ 1 c ⎛ ID ⎞
⎜ ⎟ + ( ⋅ ( ⋅ ID − H )) = ⎜ ⎟
2
(18a )
⎝2⎠ c 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛1 1 ⎞
S 2 = 4 ⋅ ⎜ ⋅ ID ⋅ H − 2 ⋅ H 2 ⎟ (18b)
⎝c c ⎠

Substituting (S) in eqn. (16) with eqn. (18b) gives the following expression for ASBH,Head:

1 1
ASBH ,Head = π ⋅ ( ⋅ ID ⋅ H − 2 ⋅ H 2 ) (19)
c c

The inside partial volume of the bottom head can be found by integrating eqn. (19) over the
height of the liquid level (H) in the vessel with respect to dH:

H
1 1
VVBH ,Head = π ∫ ( ⋅ ID ⋅ H − 2 ⋅ H 2 ) dH (20)
0
c c

H
⎡ 1 1 ⎤
VVBH ,Head = π ⋅⎢ ⋅ ID ⋅ H 2 − ⋅ H 3⎥ (21)
⎣2⋅c 3⋅ c 2
⎦0

π ⎛3 2 ⎞
VVBH ,Head = ⋅ ⎜ ⋅ ID ⋅ H 2 − 2 ⋅ H 3 ⎟ (22)
6 ⎝c c ⎠

H
with 0 ≤ H ≤ IDD or 0≤ ≤1
IDD

Figure 7 shows a schematic of a top head of a vertical vessel.

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

IDD
H

SF ID

Figure 7: Top head of a vertical vessel.

The area in the horizontal plane occupied by the liquid is calculated by:

π
ASTH ,Head = ⋅S2 (23)
4

To find an expression for ASTH,Head, as a function of the liquid level (H) for a top head the
following relationship is introduced:

2 2
⎛S⎞ 1 ⎛ ID ⎞
⎜ ⎟ +( ⋅H) = ⎜ ⎟
2
(24a )
⎝2⎠ c ⎝ 2 ⎠

4
S 2 = ID 2 − 2
⋅H2 (24b)
c

Substituting (S) in eqn. (23) with eqn. (24b) gives the following expression for ASTH,Head:

π 4
ASTH ,Head = ⋅ ( ID 2 − ⋅ H 2) (25)
4 c2

The internal liquid volume of the top head can be found by integrating eqn. (25) over the height
of the liquid level (H) in the vessel with respect to dH:

π H
4
4∫
VVTH ,Head = ( ID 2
− ⋅ H 2 ) dH (26)
0
c2

π ⎡
H
4 ⎤
VVTH ,Head = ⋅ ⎢ ID 2 ⋅ H − ⋅ H 3⎥ (27)
4 ⎣ 3 ⋅ c2 ⎦0

π 4
VVTH ,Head = ⋅ (3 ⋅ ID 2 ⋅ H − ⋅ H 3) (28)
12 c2

H
with 0 ≤ H ≤ IDD or 0≤ ≤1
IDD

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

3.2 Cylindrical Vessel Section of Vertical Vessels

The liquid volume occupying the cylindrical portion of the vessel is simply calculated with the
following formula:

π
VH ,Cyl = ⋅ ID 2 ⋅ ( H − IDD ) (29)
4

with IDD ≤ H ≤ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD )

3.3 Total Liquid Volume of a Vertical Vessel

To calculate the liquid volume in a vertical vessel three (3) conditions must be observed:

Condition I:

H
for : 0 ≤ H ≤ IDD or 0≤ ≤1
IDD

π ⎛3 2 ⎞
VH = ⋅ ⎜ ⋅ ID ⋅ H 2 − 2 ⋅ H 3 ⎟ (30a )
6 ⎝c c ⎠

Using eqn.(6), eqn. (30a) can be rewritten as:

π ⎛ ⎛ H ⎞ 2 ⎛ H ⎞3 ⎞
VH = c ⋅ ⋅ ID ⋅ ⎜ 3 ⋅ ⎜
3
− ⎟
⎜ ⎝ IDD ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ IDD ⎟⎠ ⎟
(30b)
24 ⎝ ⎠

with: IDD > 0

Condition II:

for : IDD ≤ H ≤ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD )

π π
VH = c ⋅ ⋅ ID 3 + ⋅ ID 2 ⋅ ( H − IDD ) (31a )
12 4

If the head thickness is equal to the shell thickness eqn. (31a) can be rewritten as:

π ⎛ ⎛H ⎞ ⎛ IDD ⎞ ⎞
VH = ⋅ ID 3 ⋅ ⎜⎜ 3 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ − 3 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ + c ⎟⎟ (31b)
12 ⎝ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎠

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

Condition III:

for : (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD ) ≤ H ≤ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t )

π π
VH = c ⋅ ⋅ ID 3 + ⋅ ID 2 ⋅ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − 2 ⋅ IDD ) +
12 4
π ⎛ 4 ⎞
⋅ ⎜ 3 ⋅ ID 2 ⋅ ( H − (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD )) − 2 ⋅ ( H − (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD ))3 ⎟ (32a )
12 ⎝ c ⎠

If the head thickness is equal to the shell thickness eqn. (32a) reduces to:

π ⎛ ⎛ H − OAL + 2 ⋅ t + IDD ⎞ ⎛ H − OAL + 2 ⋅ t + IDD ⎞

3

VH = ⎜
⋅ ID ⋅ 3 ⋅ c ⋅ ⎜
3
⎟ − c ⋅⎜ ⎟
24 ⎜ ⎝ IDD ⎠ ⎝ IDD ⎠
⎝
⎛ OAL − 2 ⋅ t − 2 ⋅ IDD ⎞ ⎞
+ 6⋅⎜ ⎟ + 2 ⋅ c ⎟⎟ (32b)
⎝ ID ⎠ ⎠

with: IDD > 0

4.0 Total Volume of a Vessel

To compute the total volume of a vertical or horizontal vessel, (H) is substituted with (ID) in
eqn. (15) or (H) is substituted with (OAL - 2·t) in eqn. (32b). Both methods result in the
following equation for the calculation of the total volume of a vessel:

π ⎛ (3 ⋅ OAL − 6 ⋅ t − 6 ⋅ IDD) ⎞
VTotal = ⋅ ID 3 ⋅ ⎜ + 2⋅ c⎟ (33)
12 ⎝ ID ⎠

with OAL ≥ (2 ⋅ IDD + 2 ⋅ t )

5.0 Vessel Heads

The type of head used is determined by the pressure rating of the vessel. Pressure vessels with
lower pressure ratings typically have shallower heads and pressure vessels with higher pressure
ratings have more rounded heads, approaching a spherical shape with increasing pressure.

5.1 ASME 2:1 Elliptical Heads

Heads with a semi-ellipsoidal shape are the most widely used head types for pressure vessels and
in industrial refrigeration they are almost exclusively used. The ratio between the long axis and
short axis of a 2:1 elliptical head is 2 with the long axis being equal to the inside diameter of the
vessel and the short axis being equal to twice the internal dish depth of the head. This means,
that the inside dish depth of the head is one-fourth the inside diameter of the vessel. An elliptical
head consists of a rounded (dished) portion and a straight portion as illustrated in Figure 3b. The

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

straight flange portion (SF) is commonly 2”, but may vary depending on the vessel
manufacturer’s specification and the head manufacturer. With IDD = ID/4:

2 ⋅ IDD 2 ⋅ ID / 4 1
c2:1 Head = = = (34)
ID ID 2

When applied to vessels with elliptical heads, the method described in this paper provides
accurate results without any error margin.

5.2 ASME Hemispherical Heads

For vessels with hemispherical heads, the head is simply one-half of a sphere, i.e. IDD is simply
one-half of ID. Unlike 2:1 elliptical heads, hemispherical heads are commonly not constructed
with a straight flange (SF), i.e. that the cylindrical length of the vessel (CL) is equal to the shell
length (SL). With IDD=ID/2:

2 ⋅ IDD 2 ⋅ ID / 2
c Hemispherical Head = = =1 (35)
ID ID

When applied to vessels with hemispherical heads, the method described in this paper provides
accurate results without any error margin.

5.3 ASME Flanged & Dished (Torispherical) Heads

ASME F&D heads basically consists of a spherical and an elliptical head portion. ASME F&D
heads are constructed with an inside crown radius (L) that is typically equal to the outside
diameter (OD) and an inside knuckle radius (r) equal to minimum 0.06·OD or 3·t whichever is
greater. However, although uncommon the crown radius (L) can also be less than the outside
diameter (OD). See Figure 3b for details. The exact dimensions may vary depending on the
manufacturer. The correlation described by eqn. (6) does not apply to torispherical head profiles.
For an exact calculation of the inside dish depth (IDD) the following equation has been derived
from Figure 3b and is valid for all head configurations:

IDD = L − ( L − r ) 2 − (OD / 2 − t − r ) 2 (36)

The crown radius (L), the knuckle radius (r) and the thickness (t) can be obtained from the
vessels U-1A form. Since (IDD) is not straight proportional to the inside diameter (ID), but
rather dependent on the outside diameter (OD), the knuckle radius (r) and the thickness (t), an
exact computation of the internal head volume as a function of the liquid height (H) can be
cumbersome and complex for horizontal vessels. Exact equations to calculate the total head
volume are presented in Appendix A. To be able to apply the method presented in this paper to
ASME F&D heads, the value c must be computed based on the knuckle radius (r) and the
thickness (t). The equation for c was derived from computing the total head volume according to
Attachment A and then calculating the value c using eqn. (51). The constants in the following
equation were derived from using a curve fit:

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

2
(r − 0.06 ⋅ OD ) ⎛ t ⎞ ⎛ t ⎞
cL=OD ,r =min 0.06⋅OD = 0.30939 + 1.7197 ⋅ − 0.16116 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ + 0.98997 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ (37)
ID ⎝ OD ⎠ ⎝ OD ⎠

When applying eqn. (37) to the method presented in this paper an accuracy can be expected
sufficient for practical purposes. When compared to the total head volume this method provides
results with an error margin of less than 0.001%. For partially filled heads the error margin is
greater. However, when compared to the overall vessel volume the error margin becomes
negligible for all practical purposes. If accurate results are desired the head section must be
calculated individually for the spherical and the elliptical head section. Instead of dividing the
vertical vessel into 3 sections, it must be divided into 5 sections: spherical section of bottom
head, elliptical section of bottom head, cylindrical section, elliptical section of top head, and
spherical section of top head. For horizontal vessels, the calculation method is much more
complex and requires numerical methods. For an accurate estimation of c, calculate the exact
head volume using Appendix A and then use eqn. (51) to determine c.

5.4 Heads According to European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)

Depending on the pressure rating of the pressure vessel three head designs are commonly used in
Europe. The same comments made for the ASME F&D heads also apply here. The only
difference is that the inside crown radius (L) and knuckle radius (r) are direct proportional to the
outside diameter (OD).

a) Torispherical Heads DIN 28011 with L = OD and r = 0.1·OD

To compute the inside dish depth (IDD) eqn. (36) is reduced to:

IDD = OD − 0.65 ⋅ OD 2 − t 2 + 0.8 ⋅ OD ⋅ t (38)

For the computation of the value c, the following equation has been developed using the
same approach described in paragraph 5.3:

2
⎛ t ⎞ ⎛ t ⎞
cL=OD ,r =0.1⋅OD = 0.37802 + 0.05073 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ + 1.3762 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ (39)
⎝ OD ⎠ ⎝ OD ⎠

b) Semi Ellipsoidal Heads DIN 28013 with L = 0.8·OD and r = 0.154·OD

This head profile is typically used for refrigeration applications. To compute the inside
dish depth (IDD) eqn. (36) is reduced to:

IDD = 0.8 ⋅ OD − 0.2976 ⋅ OD 2 − t 2 + 0.692 ⋅ OD ⋅ t (40)

For the computation of the value c, the following equation has been developed using the
same approach described in paragraph 5.3:

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

2
⎛ t ⎞ ⎛ t ⎞
cL=0.8⋅OD ,r =0.154⋅OD = 0.49951 + 0.10462 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ + 2.3227 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ (41)
⎝ OD ⎠ ⎝ OD ⎠

When applying the above equations to the method described in this paper, the error margin is
virtually zero for completely filled heads. For exact results the same statements made in
paragraph 5.3 apply.

c) Hemispherical Heads DIN 28011

The same comments made for ASME Hemispherical Heads apply here, i.e.
cHemispherical Head = 1.

6.0 Conclusions

This paper demonstrated that one set of equations can be applied to all common type of dished
head profiles with error margins that are zero or virtually zero for all practical purposes. The
calculation process is hereby significantly simplified and allows the use of computerized
spreadsheet applications to estimate partial vessel volumes and corresponding charges.

7.0 Nomenclature

a Major axis of ellipsoid, equal to inside diameter (ID)

AH Partial cross sectional area of shell and heads with respect to the liquid height (H)
b Minor axis of ellipsoid, equal to twice the inside dish depth (IDD) of head
c Constant determined by head type
CL Length of cylindrical portion of vessel
H Liquid height in vessel
ID Inside diameter of vessel shell and head
IDD Inside dish depth of head
ITL Inside total length of vessel
L Inside crown radius of head
OAL Overall length of pressure vessel
OD Outside diameter of vessel shell and head
SF Straight flange of head
r Inside knuckle radius
S Chord of shell and head at liquid height (H)
t Material thickness of vessel shell and head
VH Volume as function of liquid height (H)
VTotal Total volume of vessel

NOTE: The formulas are structured such, that any unit can be applied. However, only values
with identical units should be entered into the formulas. For example, if the outside diameter
(OD) and the shell thickness (t) are entered in “inch”, the overall length (OAL) must also be
entered in “inch”. The resulting value will be in cubic inch (in3). Equally, if the outside
diameter (OD) and the shell thickness (t) are entered in “mm”, the overall length (OAL) must
also be entered in “mm”. The resulting value will be in cubic millimeter (mm3).

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Vessels
Formulas for the Computation of Partial Volumes of Horizontal Vessels
OAL t
ITL
CL r
SL

L
IDD

IDD ID
OD ID
OD

VH H r

SF t SF

Partial Volume of Vessel

⎡⎛ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − 2 ⋅ IDD ) ⎞ ⎛ 1 H ⎛ H ⎞ ⎞⎟
2
π ⎛ ⎛H ⎞
2
⎛ H ⎞ ⎞⎟⎤⎥
3

⎢
VH = ID ⋅ ⎜
3 ⎜ ⎛ H ⎞ ⎛1 H ⎞ ⎜
⎟ ⋅ ⋅ arccos⎜ 1 − 2 ⋅ ⎟ − ⎜ − ⎟ ⋅ −⎜ ⎟ + c ⋅ ⋅ ⎜3⋅⎜ ⎟ − 2 ⋅⎜ ⎟ ⎟
⎢⎣⎝ ID ⎠ ⎜⎝ 4 ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ 2 ID ⎠ ID ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎟
⎠ 6 ⎝ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎠⎥⎦

OAL ≥ (2 ⋅ IDD + 2 ⋅ t )
H
with ID = (OD − 2 ⋅ t ) and 0 ≤ H ≤ ID or 0≤ ≤1 and
ID
Total Internal Volume of Vessel
π 3 ⎛ (3 ⋅ OAL − 6 ⋅ t − 6 ⋅ IDD ) ⎞
VTotal = ⋅ ID ⋅ ⎜ + 2 ⋅ c⎟ with ID = (OD − 2 ⋅ t ) and OAL ≥ (2 ⋅ IDD + 2 ⋅ t )
12 ⎝ ID ⎠
Values for Various Head Profiles
Head Type Values and Equations for c Equations for IDD
ASME 2:1 Elliptical Head 1/2 ID/4
Hemispherical Head 1 ID/2
Flat Head 0 0
2
ASME Torispherical Head (r − 0.06 ⋅ OD ) t ⎛ t ⎞
0.30939 + 1.7197 ⋅ − 0.16116 ⋅ + 0.98997 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ L − ( L − r ) 2 − (OD / 2 − t − r ) 2
with L =OD and r=min 0.06·OD ID OD ⎝ OD ⎠
2
EN PED Torispherical Head t ⎛ t ⎞
0.37802 + 0.05073 ⋅ + 1.3762 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ 2
IDD = OD − 0.65 ⋅ OD − t + 0.8 ⋅ OD ⋅ t
2
with L=OD and r=0.1·OD OD ⎝ OD ⎠
2
EN PED Semi Ellipsoidal Head t ⎛ t ⎞
0.49951 + 0.10462 ⋅ + 2.3227 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ 2
IDD = 0.8 ⋅ OD − 0.2976 ⋅ OD − t + 0.692 ⋅ OD ⋅ t
2
with L=0.8·OD and r=0.154·OD OD ⎝ OD ⎠
Notes
Above formulas assume that the head thickness is equal to the shell thickness. If different, use shell thickness for head thickness.
When using above formulas use units consistently.
For ASME Torispherical heads assume < 0.001% error margin for completely filled heads. For EN PED heads the error margin for completely filled heads is virtually zero.

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels
Formulas for the Computation of Partial Volumes of Vertical Vessels
Partial Volume of Vessel t

Condition I: for : 0 ≤ H ≤ IDD and IDD > 0 r

π ⎛ ⎛ H ⎞ ⎛ H ⎞ 2 3
⎞
VH = c ⋅ ⋅ ID 3 ⋅ ⎜ 3 ⋅ ⎜ − ⎟
24 ⎜ ⎝ IDD ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ IDD ⎟⎠ ⎟ L
⎝ ⎠ IDD
OD

for : IDD ≤ H ≤ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD )

ID
Condition II: OD
ID
OAL
π ⎛ ⎛H⎞ ⎛ IDD ⎞ + c ⎞
⋅ ID ⋅ ⎜ 3 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ ⎟
3
VH = ⎟ − 3⋅⎜ r t ITL

12 ⎝ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎝ ID ⎠ ⎠ CL
SF

(OAL − 2 ⋅ t − IDD ) ≤ H ≤ (OAL − 2 ⋅ t )

SL
Condition III: for : and IDD > 0

π ⎛ ⎛ H − OAL + 2 ⋅ t + IDD ⎞ ⎛ H − OAL + 2 ⋅ t + IDD ⎞

3
⎛ OAL − 2 ⋅ t − 2 ⋅ IDD ⎞ ⎞
VH = ⎜ 3
⋅ ID ⋅ 3 ⋅ c ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ − c ⋅⎜ ⎟ + 6⋅⎜ ⎟ + 2 ⋅ c⎟ H
24 ⎜ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎠ SF
⎝ IDD IDD ID
with ID = (OD − 2 ⋅ t ) and 0 ≤ H ≤ ID or 0 ≤ H / ID ≤ 1 and OAL ≥ (2 ⋅ IDD + 2 ⋅ t )
IDD
Total Internal Volume of Vessel
π 3 ⎛ (3 ⋅ OAL − 6 ⋅ t − 6 ⋅ IDD ) ⎞
VTotal = ⋅ ID ⋅ ⎜ + 2 ⋅ c⎟ with ID = (OD − 2 ⋅ t ) and OAL ≥ (2 ⋅ IDD + 2 ⋅ t )
12 ⎝ ID ⎠
Values for Various Head Profiles
Head Type Values and Equations for c Equations for IDD
ASME 2:1 Elliptical Head 1/2 ID/4
Hemispherical Head 1 ID/2
Flat Head 0 0
2
ASME Torispherical Head (r − 0.06 ⋅ OD ) t ⎛ t ⎞
0.30939 + 1.7197 ⋅ − 0.16116 ⋅ + 0.98997 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ L − ( L − r ) 2 − (OD / 2 − t − r ) 2
with L=OD and r=min 0.06·OD ID OD ⎝ OD ⎠
2
EN PED Torispherical Head t ⎛ t ⎞
0.37802 + 0.05073 ⋅ + 1.3762 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ 2 2
IDD = OD − 0.65 ⋅ OD − t + 0.8 ⋅ OD ⋅ t
with L=OD and r=0.1·OD OD ⎝ OD ⎠
2
EN PED Semi Ellipsoidal Head t ⎛ t ⎞
0.49951 + 0.10462 ⋅ + 2.3227 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ 2 2
IDD = 0.8 ⋅ OD − 0.2976 ⋅ OD − t + 0.692 ⋅ OD ⋅ t
with L=0.8·OD and r=0.154·OD OD ⎝ OD ⎠
Notes
Above formulas assume that the head thickness is equal to the shell thickness. If different, use shell thickness for head thickness.
When using above formulas use units consistently.
For ASME Torispherical heads assume < 0.001% error margin for completely filled heads. For EN PED heads the error margin for completely filled heads is virtually zero.

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

Appendix A: Exact Equations for Torispherical Heads

This method can be applied to any torispherical head profile for establishing a value for c and
computing IDD.

Figure 8 shows a schematic of a torispherical head with its critical dimension.

t
SF

L
SSL IDD

ID
OD

h3 h1
h2

Figure 8: Schematic of a torispherical head.

Using the above figure the inside dish depth (IDD) is calculated to:

( L − r ) 2 = ( L − IDD ) 2 + (0.5 ⋅ OD − t − r ) 2 (41a )

IDD = L − ( L − r ) 2 − (OD / 2 − t − r ) 2 (41b)

IDD = L − ( L − r ) 2 − ( ID / 2 − r ) 2 (41c)

The spherical limit (SSL) is calculated to:

S SL / 2 ( ID / 2 − r )
= (42a )
L (L − r)

( ID − 2 ⋅ r )
S SL = L ⋅ (42b)
(L − r)

The height of spherical section (h1) is calculated to:

S2
L2 = ( L − h1 ) 2 + SL (43a )
4

2
S SL
h1 = L − L2 − (43b)
4

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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

The height of elliptical section (h2) is calculated to:

r 2 = ( S SL / 2 − ID / 2 + r ) 2 + h22 (44a )

2
⎛S ID ⎞
h2 = r − ⎜ SL −
2
+ r⎟ (44b)
⎝ 2 2 ⎠

The difference between ID/2 and SSL/2 is calculated to:

(r − h3 ) ( ID / 2 − r )
= (45a )
r (L − r)

r ⋅ ( L − ID / 2)
h3 = (45b)
(L − r)

The cross sectional area of the spherical head is defined as follows:

ASP = π ⋅ (2 ⋅ L ⋅ h − h 2 ) (46)

To obtain the volume of the spherical head portion eqn. (46) must be integrated from 0 to h1 with
respect to dh:

h1

Vh1 = π ∫ (2 ⋅ L ⋅ h − h 2 ) dh (47 a )
0

⎛ 1 ⎞
Vh1 = π ⋅ ⎜ L ⋅ h12 − ⋅ h13 ⎟ (47b)
⎝ 3 ⎠

The cross sectional area of the elliptical head portion is defined as follows:

π
AEl = ⋅ ( ID − 2 ⋅ r + 2 ⋅ r 2 − h 2 ) 2 (48)
4

To obtain the volume of the elliptical head portion eqn. (48) must be integrated from 0 to h2 with
respect to dh:

π
h2

Vh2 =
4 ∫ ( ID − 2 ⋅ r + 2 ⋅
0
r 2 − h 2 ) 2 dh (49a )

Page 16
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 Bent Wiencke - Computing the Partial Volume of Pressure Vessels

π ⎛ ⎞
Vh2 =
4
(
⋅ 8 ⋅ r 2 ⋅ h2 −
4 3
3
⋅ h2 + 2 ⋅ ID ⋅ h2 ⋅ r 2 − h22 + 2 ⋅ ID ⋅ r 2 ⋅ arctan⎜
h2
⎜ r 2 − h2
⎟−
⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ ⎞
4 ⋅ r ⋅ h2 ⋅ r 2 − h22 − 4 ⋅ r 3 ⋅ arctan ⎜ ⎟ + ID 2 ⋅ h − 4 ⋅ h ⋅ ID ⋅ r )
h2
(49b)
⎜ r 2 − h2 ⎟ 2 2
⎝ 2 ⎠

The total head volume is calculated by adding the volume of the spherical portion to the elliptical
portion:

VHead = Vh1 + Vh2 (50)

To determine an exact value for the constant c the following equation derived from eqn. (11b)
can be used:

12 Vh1 + Vh2
c= ⋅ (51)
π ID 3

Nomenclature:
c Constant determined by head type
h1 Height of spherical head section
h2 Height of elliptical head section
h3 Difference between ID/2 and SSL/2
ID Inside diameter
IDD Inside dish depth; IDD = h1+ h2
L Inside crown radius
OD Outside diameter
r Inside knuckle radius
SF Straight flange of head
SSL Spherical limit of head
t Material thickness of head
Vh1 Inside volume of spherical head section
Vh2 Inside volume of elliptical head section
VHead Total inside volume of head

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