Industrial pressure vessel are fabricated to meet industry codes and standards in order to ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment.
Here are some of the key steps in the fabrication process:
- Material Selection: The materials used to construct the pressure vessel must meet the requirements specified in the relevant industry codes and standards, such as ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The materials must have the necessary mechanical properties, chemical composition, and quality to withstand the expected operating conditions.
- Design and Engineering: The pressure vessel design is developed in accordance with the applicable industry codes and standards. This includes calculations for wall thickness, nozzle reinforcement, and other structural components to ensure the vessel can safely withstand the design pressure, temperature, and other loads.
- Fabrication Procedures: Fabrication processes, such as welding, forming, and heat treatment, are carried out in compliance with the industry codes and standards. Welding procedures are qualified, and welders are certified to ensure the integrity of the welds.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): During fabrication, various NDT methods, such as radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, and dye penetrant testing, are used to inspect the welds and other critical areas of the pressure vessel for defects.
- Pressure Testing: Once fabrication is complete, the pressure vessel is subjected to a hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure test to verify its ability to withstand the design pressure without leakage or deformation.
- Quality Assurance and Documentation: Throughout the fabrication process, comprehensive quality assurance and quality control measures are implemented to ensure compliance with the industry codes and standards. All relevant documentation, including material certifications, welding records, and inspection reports, are maintained for the pressure vessel.
- Certification and Marking: Once the pressure vessel has successfully passed all required inspections and tests, it is certified and marked with the applicable code stamps, such as the ASME Code Symbol Stamp, to indicate its compliance with the industry standards.
The adherence to these fabrication processes, industry codes, and standards ensures that the pressure vessels are manufactured with a high level of safety, reliability, and consistency, which is crucial for their use in industrial applications.
