ASME Pressure Vessel Repair

[HardwoodCWI]

I went inspect this vessel and saw this at the bottom. Its a 18" weld cap with a 4" std pipe branched. This vessel was built in the 70s and was not sure if this was built per code. I wanted to come up with something different that would not be an alteration. The pipe has a small leak. The vessel is in very good shape every where else.

Any suggestions? The pipe is about 6-8" off the deck which makes elevation space limited.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...c-06b3-4745-89f1-f32951df351f&file=vessel.jpg

 

[fegenbush]

Here are a couple options:

1) Cut the 4" pipe from the 18" weld cap and replace with like material and thickness.
2) Cut the 18" cap from the shell/cone and replace with a shop fabricated assembly similar to the one removed. I would increase the wall thicknesses since that is where the leak occurred.

If the vessel has a code nameplate, issue an R-1 and an appropriate R stamped nameplate. If it does not, submit documentation as necessary for client approval.

 

[gr2vessels]

Best advice;- I support proposal No.2, being the safe option for the repair job.

 

[chicopee]

After downloading over 2.5 MB of data to open the JPEG, I cancel. How many pictures were attached?

 

[stanweld]

It appears that there is leakage at the cap to shell weld and at the pipe to cap branch weld. In which case, simply cut the 4" pipe at a suitable location for repair welding and the 18" cap from the vessel and replace in kind. Weld the new 4" nozzle to the new cap and weld the new cap to the shell. This is an R1 repair. This vessel has had a life span well over thirty years. I see no real reason to "do something different" to improve its service life.