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MAIN COMPONENTS OF PRESSURE VESSEL

Following are the main components of pressure Vessels in general
a) Shell
b) Head
c) Nozzle
d) Support

a) SHELL :

o It is the primary component that contains the pressure.

o Pressure vessel shells in the form of different plates are welded
together to form a structure that has a common rotational axis.
o Horizontal drums have cylindrical shells and are constructed in a wide
range of diameter and length.
o The shell sections of a tall tower may be constructed of different
materials, thickness and diameters due to process and phase change of
process fluid.
o Shell of a spherical pressure vessel is spherical as well.

b) HEAD :

o All the pressure vessels must be closed at the ends by heads (or
another shell section).
o Heads are typically curved rather than flat.
o The reason is that curved configurations are stronger and allow the
heads to be thinner, lighter and less expensive than flat heads.
o Heads can also be used inside a vessel and are known as
intermediate heads.
o These intermediate heads are separate sections of the pressure
vessels to permit different design conditions.

Set By :Tibebu Merde (M.Sc) WDU,FOT, Dep’t Mechanical Engineering

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There are several types of heads are generally used in pressure
vessels. They are

11. Sphere and hemispherical end (Fig-1)

12. 2:1 Ellipsoidal head (Fig-2)
13. Conical head (Fig-3)
14. Torispherical head (Fig-4)

c) NOZZLE :

 A nozzle is a cylindrical component that penetrates into the shell or head

of pressure vessel.
 They are used for the following applications.
1. Sphere and hemispherical end (Fig-1)
2. 2:1 Ellipsoidal head (Fig-2)
3. Conical head (Fig-3)
4. Torispherical head (Fig-4)

d) SUPPORT :

 Support is used to bear all the load of pressure vessel, earthquake

and wind loads.
 It is considered to be the non-pressurized part of the vessel.
 There are different types of supports which are used depending
upon the size and orientation of the pressure vessel.
 They are
1. Saddle support
2. Skirt support
3. Leg support
4. Lug support

1) SADDLE SUPPORT:

 Horizontal drums are typically supported at two locations by

saddle support.
 It spreads over a large area of the shell to prevent an excessive
local stress in the shell at support point.

Set By :Tibebu Merde (M.Sc) WDU,FOT, Dep’t Mechanical Engineering

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 One saddle support is anchored whereas the other is free to permit
unstrained longitudinal thermal expansion of the drum.

2) SKIRT SUPPORT:

 Tall vertical cylindrical pressure vessels are typically supported by

skirts.
 A support skirt is a cylindrical shell section that is welded either to
the lower portion of the vessel shell or to the bottom head (for
cylindrical vessels).
 The skirt is normally long enough to provide enough flexibility so
that radial thermal expansion of the shell does not cause high
thermal stresses at its junction with the skirt.

3) LEG SUPPORT:

 Small vertical drums are typically supported on legs that are

welded to the lower portion of the shell.
 The max. ratio of support leg length to drum diameter is typically
2:1
 Reinforcing pads are welded to the shell first to provide additional
local reinforcement and load distribution.
 The number of legs depends on the drum size and loads to be
carried.
 Support legs are also used for Spherical pressurized storage vessels.
 Cross bracing between the legs is used to absorb wind or earth
quake loads.

4) LUG SUPPORT:

 Vertical pressure vessels may also be supported by lugs.

 The use of lugs is typically limited to pressure vessels of small and
medium diameter (1 to 10 ft)
 Also moderate height to diameter ratios in the range of 2:1 to 5:1
 The lugs are typically bolted to horizontal structural members in
order to provide stability against overturning loads.

Set By :Tibebu Merde (M.Sc) WDU,FOT, Dep’t Mechanical Engineering

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This can be written as: Force Vector = Stiffness Matrix x Displacement
Vector Solution for this problem can be obtained from this equation.

A - 6: Matrix Method of Structural Analysis (Continued)

Matrices are used in solving structural mechanics problems. The structural
mechanics Problems can be expressed as linear simultaneous equation. By
solving these equations Using computer, these problems can be solved.
Consider a rectangular prism. Governing equations are given in the
following in the form of matrices:

A-6: Matrix Method of Structural Analysis (Continued)

where,
E = elastic modulus = modulus of elasticity = Young’s modulus, kg/ sq
mm
G = shear modulus = E, kg / sq mm 2(I + v)
L = member length, mm

Set By :Tibebu Merde (M.Sc) WDU,FOT, Dep’t Mechanical Engineering

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V = Poisson’s ratio
Iy = moment of inertia about Y – Y axis, mm Ù 4
Iz = moment of inertia about Z – Z axis, mm Ù 4
J = polar moment of inertia, mm Ù 4
A = area, sq mm
Fx = force in X – direction, kg
Fy = force in Y – direction, kg
Fz = force in Z – direction, kg
Mx = moment about X – X axis, kg - mm
My = moment about Y – Y axis, kg – mm
Mz = moment about Z – Z axis, kg – mm
Dx = deflection in X – direction, mm
Dy = deflection in Y – direction, mm
Dz = deflection in Z – direction, mm
qx = rotation about X – axis, radian
qy = rotation about Y – axis, radian
qz = rotation about Z – axis, radian

Set By :Tibebu Merde (M.Sc) WDU,FOT, Dep’t Mechanical Engineering