Pressure Vessel Stress

Calculations

Brian
Stress calculations for a 5 foot Long 2 foot in
diameter cylindrical pressure vessel during
normal operation pressure of 150 psi
• Hoop Stress or Stress in the Circumferential
Direction = Pr/t
• With P = 150 psi, r = 12 in, and t = .25 in
Hoop Stress = 7200 psi

• Axial Stress = Pr/2t

• With P = 150 psi, r = 12 in, and t = .25 in
Axial Stress = 3600 psi
Max pressure calculations for a 5 foot Long
2 foot in diameter cylindrical pressure
vessel
• Calculations based on Grade B pipe with a
Minimum Yield Strength: 35000 psi
t = .25 in
r = 12 in

• Max Pressure based on Hoop Stress = 35000 psi

Pressure = 729.17 psi
• Max Pressure based on Axial Stress = 35000 psi
Pressure = 1458.3 psi
 Stress calculations for 12 in diameter
spherical end caps during normal operation
pressure of 150 psi.

• Hoop Stress = Axial Stress = Pr/2t

• With P = 150 psi, r = 6 in, and t = .25 in
Hoop Stress = 1800 psi
 Max pressure calculations for 12 in
diameter end caps
• Calculations based on Grade b pipe with a
Minimum Yield Strength: 35000 psi
t = .25 in
r = 6 in

• Max Pressure based on Hoop Stress = 35000 psi

Max Pressure = 2916.7 psi
 Results
• Based on the previous calculations we have
determined that the limiting factor in regard
to max pressure within the pressure vessel is
the Hoop Stress for the cylindrical pressure
chamber. But it is still 3.86 times the intended
operation pressure of 150 psi.
Heating System Selection
• Convection Incoloy Tubular Heating selected
– Is most common in commercial autoclaves
– Easily obtained – used in home appliances
 Insulation of Vessel
• Prevent heat from escaping (minimize power required to
heat)
• Keep surface temperature low to prevent burning danger
• Can also add outer covering, i.e. sheet metal (extra cost)
 Insulation Thickness

• 0.4 m O.D. corresponds to a 3.5” insulation layer

– Common (R13)
• No real gains if any thicker
 Heating of Vessel

• Surface temp. at 3.5” thickness is 80F

• Heat loss also levels off at 3.5”
• Total power to maintain max. temp: ~470W
• Total power to heat up air at 15F/min (total 27
min): ~1.5kW
• Allowing for thermal mass of
parts/molds/pipe, ~4-5 kW needed
• Can easily be run on 240V power
• Elements can be obtained to provide this
• Blowers inside vessel will help maintain
uniform temp.
 Estimated Heating System Costs
• 63 ft^2 R13 fiberglass ($20)
• 4-5kW incoloy tubular heating element ($250)
• Potential sheet metal covering ($125)
• Shipping, fittings, etc ($125 est.)
• Subsystem estimated total: $400-$500