Reference no: EM132361391

Question - A branch connection to a cylindrical pressure vessel is being designed. The seamless branch has a thickness of 10mm and an internal diameter of 150mm. The branch does not penetrate the vessel wall, the diameter of the hole cut in the vessel wall being 150 mm also. The internal diameter of the vessel is 900mm and its thickness is 14mm. The main longitudinal seam in the vessel wall has a joint efficiency of 86%. If needed, a compensating ring will be made from 10mm thick plate. The fluid contained is non-corrosive and the design pressure is 4.0 MPa. At the design temperature, the design tensile strength of the shell, branch and compensating ring material is 152 MPa. Weld fillets associated with the attachment of the branch and compensating ring will be of 6mm and 5mm throat thickness, respectively.

1. Determine the cross-sectional area of metal that must be found adjacent to the opening to compensate for the presence of the opening given that the branch is joined to the vessel wall well clear of the main seams in the vessel wall.

2. Quantify the contributions to reinforcement of the opening made by the various components adjacent to the opening and determine the required width of the compensating ring. For the purpose of this question take the limits of reinforcement:

a. Measured parallel to the wall from the centreline of the opening, to be equal to the diameter of the opening.

b. Measured normal to the vessel wall, to be equal to 2.5 times the branch wall thickness, plus the thickness of the compensating ring.