Let’s consider, for example, a fully pressurized pressure vessel with a load applied on the nozzle as shown in the picture. This load creates a bending stress (secondary stress) at the nozzle-to-head juncture. In the left-hand side of the nozzle, this load creates a tension strain value ε1 (see below), somewhat beyond the yield strain […]
In industry, ensuring the safety, durability, and efficiency of systems is crucial, and pressure testing plays a vital role in achieving this. They are essential for verifying the structural integrity and sealing capacity of piping systems and equipment under pressure. The process involves subjecting a component or system to a pressure greater than its normal […]
The ASME B31 committee is responsible for codes and standards that cover design, materials, manufacturing, assembly, erection, quality control, inspection, testing, as well as operation and maintenance of piping systems under pressure. Until a few years ago, there was no specific section within this committee for hydrogen piping systems. B31.3 – Process Piping and B31.8 […]
The transportation of hydrogen, a clean and versatile energy carrier, necessitates robust infrastructure to ensure its safe and efficient delivery. Among the crucial standards governing the design of hydrogen pipelines is the ASME B31.12 code, which outlines two primary methods: Prescriptive and Performance-based. Each method offers distinct approaches to pipeline design and safety, both of […]
Heater tune-up The Air and Fire Draft Regulation Diagram (DRAFT diagram for short), shown in the following figure, is a practical tool for controlling draft and excess oxygen in process heaters. This diagram, based on Figure 19 (Natural Draft Heater Adjustment Chart) of the API RP 535 standard, more explicitly clarifies the application of single […]
Refinery process heaters How to maintain the efficiency of these large energy consumers? Process heaters are probably the most critical pieces of equipment within refineries and petrochemical plants, as they consume large volumes of fossil fuels and emit proportional amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Profit margins may be at stake if heaters emissions are […]