Questions for Pressure Vessel (Shell, Head, Compensation, External pressure)

1. A vessel of 2.5 m outside diameter and 7 m length is being operated at 1.5 MN/m2 pressure
(g). It has flat heads from both ends having weight of 20 kN for each head. In this vessel a
liquid of density 850 kg/m3 is to be operated. Corrosion allowance=2mm; Weld joint
efficiency factor=1; Allowable stress of shell=150 MN/m2. Calculate the thickness of conical
head, at the junction and away from the junction, having following specification: 120 apex
angle with ri = 0.1 De.

2. A pressure vessel with outer diameter of 3.5m and length of 20m is to be operated at
maximum working pressure of 3 MN/m2 (g). The vessel is filled with liquid (density = 985
kg/m3) upto 17 m height. The allowable stress of shell material at maximum working
temperature is 135 MN/m2. Corrosion allowance is 2mm. It is Class 2 vessel having double
welded butt joint with full penetration for all joints.

a. Examine whether compensation is required or not for 0.21 m opening in shell. If

required, compute the thickness of ring pad to compensate opening in shell. Allowable
stresses for nozzle and ring are 135 MN/m2. Inside protrusion of nozzle is 0.01m and
nozzle length above surface is 0.03m.
b. Calculate thickness of a torispherical head having following specifications: Ri = Do,
ri=0.045Do, Sf = 80mm. Calculate for Ri = Ro, ri = ro.
c. What is the maximum diameter of uncompensated opening in 2:1 ellipsoidal head
(hE=0.25Do) of 50mm thickness.

3. A new vessel of 3m outer diameter and 8m length is to be operated at 0.045 MN/m2 (abs).
Torispherical heads, with Ri = Do, ri=0.045Do, Sf = 80mm, are placed at both ends of the
vessel. Allowable stress and modulus of elasticity for material used are 110 MN/m2 and
2.1×105 MN/m2, respectively. Corrosion allowance is 3mm.

a. Compute the thickness of shell if stiffeners are placed at 0.75m spacing.

b. Check the suitability of ISLC 150 channel stiffener for this vessel. If not, recommend the
suitable ISLC channel stiffener.

4. A pressure vessel with outer diameter of 4m and length of 10m is to be operated at

maximum working pressure of 2 MN/m2 (g). The allowable stress of shell material is 150
MN/m2 at maximum design temperature. Corrosion allowance is 2mm. It is Class 2 vessel
having single welded butt joint with backing strip for all joints. Vessel has opening of 0.22m.
Compute the thickness of ring pad if compensation of opening is required. Given: Allowable
stresses for nozzle and ring are 150 MN/m2. Inside protrusion of nozzle is zero and nozzle
length above surface is 0.02m.

Calculate the thickness of ellipsoidal head having following specifications: Ri = Do, ri=0.06Do,
Sf = 50mm. The openings in this head are fully compensated. Calculate for Ri = Ro, ri = ro.
5. A vessel is being operated at maximum pressure of 2 MN/m2 (g). It has outer diameter of
2.5m and length of 6m. The allowable stress of shell and corrosion allowance is 150 MN/m2
and 3mm, respectively. The vessel is of Class 2 where double welded butt joint with full
penetration is used for all joints. Compute the followings:
a. Thickness of plate used to fabricate a torispherical head for this vessel. In this two fully
compensated openings are provided with diameters of 0.1m and 0.2m. Consider Ri = 1.2
Do, ri = 0.063Do, Sf = 60mm. Carry out only one iteration.
b. Thickness of flat formed head when flanged heads are butt welded to the shell.