Hello,

I have a question regarding the area reinforcement to B31.3 (Process Piping). We have a product that is directly in the piping system at high pressure (and generally temperatures of atmosphere), and is placed on the discharge side of the pump. The product is essentially a sphere with two ends of piping opposite of each other extending from the sphere. The sphere is designed to ASME VIII while the piping calculations are performed to ASME B31.3.

My question is what should the area reinforcement be done to. Technically the connection isn't a branched connection, since the piping leads into a sphere and then back into the piping. The only other thing I found in the B31.3 code that could be applicable would be under 304.7.2, which would require FEA.

Should the product be designed entirely to VIII instead?

Branch reinforcement of what exactly?
Is the sphere connected to the piping by means of flanges? I suppose so .. would
be strange to weld 'em together and have 1 object designed by 2 codes.

Look where the jurisdiction/scope of the codes stop and end, that's a 1st start.
That will help you determine what has to designed acc. what.

I am having trouble understanding the set-up, but I make the following assumptions:
1. The sphere is designed per ASME VIII, accordingly has an inlet and an outlet nozzle (section of pipe)
2. The nozzles have been blanked off somehow (welded blanks on the nozzle end) for hydrotest.
3. After hydrotest, the blanks have been cut off and the nozzles got weld preparation to be weld joined to the inlet/outlet piping.
4. The first weld joint of the nozzle to sphere is part of the ASME VIII jurisdiction, the rest of the welds are piping joints per B31.3.
5. Unless I am missing something, I cannot see the conflict.
Cheers,
gr2vessels