Study On New ASME Code, Sec. VIII Div. 3 For High Pressure Vessels

Abstract

Recently, high pressure vessels with design pressure greater than 70MP are frequently used for various industries such as HIP/SIP, LDPE, artificial quartz production. The operating conditions of these high pressure vessels are always very severe such as ultra-high pressure, high temperature or cyclic loading. Accordingly, an alternative design code which provides more rational design, manufacturing and quality control practices has been required in high pressure industries. The final draft of new pressure vessel code, ASME Code Sec. VIII Div. 3, Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels was proposed by the Special Working Group on High Pressure Vessels after almost 20 years studies, and was approved by ASME Code Main Committee. Japan Pressure Vessel Research Council, JPVRC was asked to review it at th time of 1996 May Code Meeting. The working group of JPVRC submitted results of the study to ASME on December. The Special Working Group immediately reviewed our proposals and included simple editorial changes to the first edition which was published on May 1997 and also picked up other comments as new agenda items. The two working groups are continuing discussion and exchanging data. This paper summerizes remarked requirements of Div. 3 compared with Div. 2 and also proposed items to ASME Code Committee for better understanding of pressure vessel technology.