Title: Evaluation method for pressure vessel manufacturing codes: the influence of ASME unit conversion

Authors: Álvaro Rodríguez-Prieto; Ana María Camacho; Miguel Ángel Sebastián

Addresses: Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Industrial Engineers, UNED, Madrid 28040, Spain ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Industrial Engineers, UNED, Madrid 28040, Spain ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Industrial Engineers, UNED, Madrid 28040, Spain

Abstract: This paper presents an assessment of the selection of manufacturing codes for pressure vessels. We focus on one of the most relevant approximation methods used in manufacturing calculations for pressure vessels, i.e., the unit conversions of the ASME boiler and pressure vessels (B&PV) code. To evaluate the influence of its conversions, several errors arising from the manufacturing process and measurement systems have been calculated, estimated and considered. In addition, a decision tool for manufacturing codes of pressure vessels with novel considerations based on stringency levels is presented to improve the current selection process. The general conclusion is that adjusting the pressure units is not recommendable when designing a pressure vessel due to large errors that can accumulate. Furthermore, the length conversion is only suitable for parts manufactured with maximum dimensions of five inches (125 mm).

Keywords: pressure vessels; manufacturing tolerances; thermal dilatation; stringency level; ASME conversion; error propagation; pressure vessel manufacturing codes; ASME unit conversion; manufacturing code selection; pressure vessel design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2017.082618

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2017 Vol.54 No.4, pp.259 - 274

Received: 03 Aug 2015
Accepted: 25 Mar 2016
Published online: 03 Mar 2017 *

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