CODES FOR VESSELS/HEAT

EXCHANGERS
 History of pressure vessel codes
• Boiler explosion on March 20, 1905 in Brockton,
Massachusetts.
• 58 killed and 117 injured.
• Need of legislative rules and regulation for
construction of boilers.
• The first Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code was
published in 1915.
• Necessary changes made and new sections
added as need arose.
 What is a Code?
• A code is a standard that has been adopted by one
or more governmental bodies and has the force of
law, or when it has been incorporated into a
business contract.
• Codes specify requirements of design, fabrication,
inspection and testing of pressure vessels.
• Number of national codes have been developed for
pressure vessels by different countries.
• In India, the code for pressure vessels is IS-2825
 WHAT ARE ASME CODES?
• It is a standard that provides rules for the
design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers
and pressure.
• This establishes and maintains design,
construction and inspection standards
providing for maximum protection of life and
property.
 ASME Codes - Manufacturer
• A manufacturer obtains permission to use one of the
stamps through the ASME conformity assessment process.

• The manufacturer’s quality control system is reviewed by

an ASME team.

• If it meets ASME requirements and the manufacturer

successfully demonstrates implementation of the program,
the manufacturer is accredited by ASME.

• The manufacturer then may certify the product as meeting

ASME standards and apply the stamp to the product.
 Why follow ASME codes?
• Excessive elastic deformation including elastic
instability
• Excessive plastic deformation
• Brittle fracture
• Stress rupture or creep deformation (inelastic)
• Plastic instability and incremental collapse
• High strain and low cycle fatigue
• Stress corrosion
• Corrosion fatigue
 ASME Codes - User
• ASME Publications Catalog,
• The ANSI Catalog of American National
Standards,
• the US government’s OSHA General Industry
Standards,
• contact a standards organization directly.
• http://www.asme.org/catalog
 ASME Codes – User
• Insurance

• Replacement

• Proper Compliance
- Size specific
- Jurisdiction

• Proper ASME stamps

 The organization of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is as follows:
1. Section I: Power Boilers
2. Section II: Material Specification:
i. Ferrous Material Specifications – Part A
ii. Non-ferrous Material Specifications – Part B
iii. Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals – Part C
iv. Properties – Part D
3. Section III Subsection NCA: General Requirements for Division 1 and Division
2
i. Section III Division 1:
a. Subsection NA: General Requirements
b. Subsection NB: Class 1 Components
• Subsection NC: Class 2 Components
d. Subsection ND: Class 3 Components
e. Subsection NE: Class MC Components
f. Subsection NF: Component Supports
g. Subsection NG: Core Support Structures
h. Appendices: Code Case N-47 Class 1:
Components in Elevated Temperature Service
• Section III, Division 2: Codes for Concrete Reactor
Vessel and Containment
• Section IV: Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers
• Section V: Nondestructive Examinations
• Section VI: Recommended Rules for the Care and
Operation of
Heating Boilers
• Section VII: Recommended Guidelines for Care of Power
Boilers
• Section VIII
i. Division 1: Pressure Vessels – Rules for Construction
ii. Division 2: Pressure Vessels – Alternative Rules
• Section IX: Welding and Brazing Qualifications
• Section X: Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels
• Section XI: Rules for In-Service Inspection of Nuclear
Power Plant Components
Stamps
Nomenclature
 Example
• A heat exchanger qualifies as a UM stamped
pressure vessel if:
- Design pressure < 15psig
- Internal volume < 1.5 cubic ft. for 150<P<600
psig
- Internal volume < 5 cubic ft. for design P upto
250 psig
 Example
• A heat exchanger qualifies as a U stamped
pressure vessel if:
- Design pressure > 600 psig
- Internal volume > 1.5 cubic ft. for 150<P<600
psig
- Internal volume > 5 cubic ft. for design P upto
250 psig
 Comparison of pressure vessels
Item IS-2825 ASME Code BS-5500 AD-
Section VIII Merkblatter
Scope •Unfired fusion •Welded, riveted, • Unfired fusion •Do/Di < 1.7
welded pressure forged and brazed welded pressure •Vessels and
vessels vessels vessels vessel parts
•Pressure < 20 •Water capacity>120 •Medium and predominantly
N/mm2 gal high pressure under static
•Do/Di < 1.5 •Operating pressure > storage vessels load.
•Di > 150 mm 15 psi •Excludes
•Water capacity > •Di>6” transportable
50 litres vessels.

materials •Carbon and low •Same as IS-2825 •Carbon, ferritic All metallic
alloy steels, high •Cast iron, lined alloy(low and materials and
alloy steel, Cu and material cast iron, high) and graphite, glass.
Cu alloys, Al and ferritic steel austenitic steels
alloys, bolting and
casting alloys
 Comparison of pressure vessels
Item IS-2825 ASME Code BS-5500 AD-
Section VIII Merkblatter
Design Maximum working Maximum Maximum Based on
pressure pressure including pressure at most pressure at permissible
static head + 5% severe conditions most severe service pressure
maximum working conditions
pressure.
Design Highest metal Actual metal Actual metal Highest wall
tempera temperature temperature temperature temperature
-ture expected under expected under expected expected under
operating conditions operating under working
conditions operating conditions
conditions +
margin for
uncertainties
 Comparion of pressure vessels
National code U.T.S Yield strength Sr(rupture Creep stress
stress)
ASME: VIII 4 1.6 - 1
Div: 1
ASME: VIII 3 1.5 - -
Div-2
BS-1515 4 - - -
BS-1515 2.5 1.5 1.5 1
Part II
BS-5500 2.35 1.5 1.3 1
ANCC - 1.5 1.5 -
IS-2825 3 1.5 1.5 1
Explosions
• In spite of some of the most rigorous, well-
conceived safety rules and procedures ever put
together, boiler and pressure vessel accidents
continue to occur.
• In 1980, for example, the National Board of Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Inspectors reported:
- 1972 boiler and pressure vessel accidents, 108
injuries and 22 deaths.
• The pressure vessel explosions are of course rare
nowadays and are often caused by incorrect
operation or poorly monitored corrosion.
• Safety in boiler and pressure vessels can be
achieved by:

Proper design and construction

Proper maintenance and inspection

Proper operator performance and vessel operation