Lesson 3

MAWP
 UG-98 Maximum Allowable Working Pressure

UG-98(a) The maximum allowable working pressure for a

vessel is the maximum pressure permissible at the top of the
vessel in its normal operating position at the designated
coincident temperature specified for that pressure. It is the
least of the values found for MAWP for any of the essential
parts of the vessel by the principles given in (b) below and
adjusted for any difference in static head that may exist
between the part considered and the top of the vessel .
 UG-98 Maximum Allowable Working Pressure

UG-98(b) The MAWP for a vessel part is the maximum internal

or external pressure, including the static head thereon, as
determined by the rules and formulas in this Division, together
with the effect of any combination of loadings listed in which are
likely to occur, for the designated coincident temperature,
excluding any metal thickness specified as corrosion allowance.

UG-98(c) MAWP may be determined for more than one

designated operating temperature, using for each
temperature the applicable allowable stress value.
 UG-98 Maximum Allowable Working Pressure
In the Code there are two types of (MAWP). One is for the vessel itself,
the one most think of and refer to all the time. The other is the one for
each part of a vessel referred to in UG-98 as the part MAWP. Think of it
in this way: a vessel has a shell, heads, chambers… etc., and pressure
allowed or thickness required calculations must be performed for each
one to determine the MAWP of the vessel.
When doing these calculations, you cannot take credit for any extra
thickness designed into the vessel as a corrosion allowance. The
weakest of the vessel's parts, considering other loadings such as the
static head of the contents, weight of insulation, wind, etc., will
determine the MAWP of the entire vessel. It is the weakest link in the
chain…
 UG-98 Maximum Allowable Working Pressure

The pressure referred to here can be internal or external. The MAWP of

a vessel is the pressure allowed in a vessel at its top in its normal
operating position and at its maximum operating temperature. The
MAWP can be determined for more than one designated operating
temperature, using for each temperature the applicable allowable stress
value.
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