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The Pressure Vessel Dimension Inspection article provides you with information
about the dimensional requirements in pressure vessel construction and pressure
vessel inspection.
You may know some fabrication tolerances have not been addressed in ASME Code
Section VIII.
So you need to refer to other sources for inspection. This article provides you the most
important dimensional inspection requirements.
The dimensional check of a pressure vessel consists of the following items:
Weld mismatch
Weld reinforcement
But if the same plate has an actual thickness of 0.595 inches, you need to consider mill
undertolarence in your design calculation.
This plate thickness is acceptable based on the material specification (see table in SA
20 for thickness tolerances). We cannot reject this plate because it is in the permissible
tolerance of plate specification, but based on ASME Code SEC VIII Div 1, you need
to consider this 0.03 inches in your design calculation: e.g. Thickness = Min
Thickness + Corrosion Allowance + Mill Undertolrance
Pressure Vessel Dimension Inspection - Pipe:
Contrary to the plate material, your pipe and tube mill undertolrances need to be taken
into account for design consideration.
Pipe and tube undertolrances are almost -12.5 % of the nominal wall thickness, but
sometimes there are differences for different materials, so for any specific material, it
shall be referred to the suggested pipe or tube material specification to obtain the exact
amount of mill undertolrances.
For example, if there is a pressure vessel with nominal shell thickness of 0.5 inch, it
needs a 6 SA 106 Gr.B nozzle to be attached to the shell plate.
Assume that external loading is not a design controlling factor (is not governor), so as
our minimum, nozzle thickness will be the same as the shell thickness.
So with a consideration of -12.5%, the calculation will be: 0.5 / 0.875 = 0.571 inches.
So when we refer to ASME B36.10 and select our pipe schedule it will be SA 106
Gr.B Schedule 160.
Head ID = 3364 mm
Head Type: Torispherical
Limit for Outside of specified Shape = 3364 x 1 % = 42.05 mm
Limit for Inside of specified Shape = 3364 x 5/8 % = 21.025 mm
So we check the depth, and the drawing is 656.3 mm and the actual is 672 mm, so it is
outside of the shape. We need to check if it is in the range of tolerance, so the
maximum outside of the shape will be 42.05 + 656.3 = 698.35 so our actual value is
672 mm. 672<698.35, so it is OK.
We cut a sweep board equal to the head drawing crown radius (3400 mm) and other
one for the knuckle radius equal to 204 mm, so we try to fit the sweep boards in the
heads for the above example of the sweep boards. The edge distance to the head
surface should not be deviate from the above limited values.
Skirt max and min ID should not be more than 1% of the ID, which is 33.64 mm. So,
in the above example skirt is also is OK. Our nominal thickness is 20 mm, so up to
19.746 is acceptable then for the above example. The thickness dimension is also OK.
So the above head dimensions are ok
Pressure Vessel Dimension Inspection - Out of Roundness of Shell:
UG-80 deals with out of roundness of shell. The maximum permitted ovality tolerance
(D max D min) shall not exceed 1% of the nominal diameter of the vessel.
If you have an opening, then the tolerance can be increased by 2% x d (d = diameter
of opening), if the measurement is taken within a distance of d from the axis of the
opening.
The out of roundness generally is measured in two directions with a normal measuring
tape or laser measure, so one direction would be the D max and other one would be
the D min.
The following picture shows an out of roundness measurement:
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ASME Code SEC VIII Div 1 has not specified the orientation tolerances for nozzles
and attachments, so you need refer to the pressure vessel handbook.
It is almost +/- 1 degree. The orientation check can be done by a simple calculation by
using a measuring tape in the actual measurement work on the vessel.
For example, we want to check N3 orientation in following drawing.
N3 is located at 120 degrees in the drawing. The manufacturer has located this point in
the vessel with a marker, and we want to check the location, and if it is OK, then we
can allow the manufacturer to cut.
So we run this simple calculation:
Vessel OD = 97.875
Shell outside Circumference length = x OD = 3.14 x 97.875 = 307.3275
307.3275 distributed to 360 degrees so each degree represents
307.3275/ 360 =0.8536
N3 is located at the 120 degree position, so if we use a measuring tape and keep 0 at
the zero reference point in the vessel and pull the tape, the nozzle center should be
located at 120 x 0.8536 = 102.4425 inches.
This 102.4425 is a perfect case so our tolerance is 1 degrees. So if the tape shows in
following range, it will be OK.
102.4425 0.8536 =101.5889
102.4425 + 0.8536 =103.2961
Pressure Vessel Dimension Inspection - Nozzles and Attachments Projection:
Nozzle and attachment projection is the length from the nozzle or the attachment face
to the vessel shell centerline.
Projection dimensions are addressed in general assembly drawings. The projection
tolerances are not addressed in ASME Code SEC VIII Div 1, but if you refer to the
pressure vessel handbook, almost 0.25 of an inch is permissible.
In following figure, we need to check the BD nozzle projection. It should be 660 mm
in distance from shell centerline to the flange face.
In practical measurement, you may use a measuring tape to measure the distance
between the shell outside circumference to the nozzle face. Then the measured value
is summed with the shell thickness and the inside radius. So for the above example,
the following range is acceptable:
In actual measurement, the measuring tape or laser measure is used to measure from
the nozzle neck center line to the tangent line. In this example, the following range is
acceptable:
700 6.35 = 693.65
700 + 6.35 = 706.35
You need to move one end of the level gage up to the bubble to be placed in middle.
Then measure the distance between the level gage end and the flange face. The
measured value is the X in the figure.
Then obtain , if is less than 0.5, the deflection falls within the tolerances. And it is
OK otherwise it will require cutting out and re-welding.
Pressure Vessel Dimension Inspection - Weld Mismatch:
ASME Code SEC VIII Div. 1 specified tolerances for weld mismatch in UW-33. It is
important to know that the limit for weld mismatch is stringent for a category A weld
(Longitudinal joint and circumferential shell to hemispherical head).
The concept behind this is that the longitudinal joint bears double the amount of
stress, and inspectors should precisely check these joints.
For example, you have a pressure vessel with a nominal thickness of 1 inch. You do a
visual and measure the mismatch by the welding gauge. Assume you found a 0.143
inch mismatch in one longitudinal and one circumferential joint.
So you look to the UW-33 table:
The permissible weld mismatch in the longitudinal joint for your case is 0.125 of an
inch, and for the circumferential joint, it is 0.1875 of an inch.
Your weld mismatches for both longitudinal and circumferential joints are 0.143, so
your circumferential joint is OK, but your longitudinal joint should be repaired.
Pressure Vessel Dimension Inspection - Weld Reinforcement:
The same concept for weld mismatch exists for weld reinforcement tolerances. The
longitudinal joint weld reinforcement limit is more stringent than that for
circumferential joints.
This is because longitudinal joint bears double stress, and it is required that the stress
concentration is minimized.
In the same example, assume that there are 0.150 of an inch welds reinforcement for
both category A and B welds. Do you want to review your weld acceptance?
Category A allowances = 0.093 inch
Category B allowances = 0.1875
So our circumferential joint is OK, but the longitudinal is not OK and should be
repaired by removing the excess weld reinforcement.
RL = (Tc-Tmin)/CR ;
When Tc is Actual Thickness, and Tmin is Minimum Required Thickness, it is can be
obtained by the deduction of nominal thickness from corrosion allowance, and CR is
corrosion rate.
Example: you have a spherical shell storage vessel with an actual thickness of 1.121
in., and the minimum required thickness is 1.0 and the corrosion rate is 0.005 in./year,
so the reaming life will be:
(1.121-1.0)/0.005 = 24.2 years;
So the internal inspection interval will be:
Half-life = 24.2/2 = 12.1, so 10<12.1, then the internal inspection interval will be 10
years.
But in most plants, evacuation of storage vessels is very difficult and costly, so
integrity engineers try to find a new technique to replace internal inspection.
API STD 510 allows the On-Stream inspection to be replaced with the internal
inspection with some conditions.
This is the definition of On-Stream Inspection per the API 510 Standard:
An inspection performed from the outside of a pressure vessel while it is on-stream
using NDE procedures to establish the suitability of the pressure boundary for
continued operation.
But only you may replace this technique if all of following conditions are met with
your vessel:
The general corrosion rate is less than 0.005 inch. per year, remaining life is greater
than 10 years, there is no corrosive character in the contents, no questionable
condition is observed in the External inspection and the vessel is not subject to SCC
cracking.
What is the Best Technique to Use as On-Stream Inspection?
The best technique, which is widely used, is acoustic emission testing. In this
technique, the spherical vessel is completely filled by content fluid to maximize
stresses.
Meanwhile highly-sensitive proprietary acoustic sensors are attached to the vessel
wall to detect the fracture of corrosion products during the monitoring period.
The suspect areas are identified and located. If the suspect shows a high risk issue,
then the vessel would be evacuated for internal inspection and necessary repairs.
What are the Repair Methods for a Spherical Shell Pressure Vessel?
There are three sources for repair of a spherical pressure vessel; API STD 510 has
provided some repair requirements and instructions.
Based the API 510, only repair organizations are allowed to do repairs, and the
definition and condition for being a repair organization has been provided in the API
510.
The other source is the ASME-PCC-2, which provides you detailed instructions and
requirements.
The other source is the NBIC Part 3 Code book, which similarly provides
requirements and instructions.
Please note if your spherical pressure vessel is a U or U2 stamped pressure vessel,
only repair organizations that are R stamp holders from NBIC are allowed to do
repair on your vessel.
Do you what the pressure vessel certification process is? Do you know how pressure
vessel manufacturers can be ASME stamp holders?
How Third Party inspection companies can be certified by ASME and be Authorized
Inspection Agencies? What is a U stamped pressure vessel?
This article describes all the required information regarding pressure vessel
certification and regulation.
Pressure Vessel Manufacturer Certification:
You may know pressure vessel manufacturer certification is the same as authorization
for an ASME Stamp.
The pressure vessel manufacturers can implement an ASME Quality Control System
and then apply for the ASME Stamp.
This means that if a manufacturer is accredited by the ASME organization for
pressure vessels per ASME Code Section VIII Div. 1, they can stamp the letter U in
the pressure vessel nameplate.
See the following Fig. for Pressure Vessel Certification (The Stamp Item)
This auditor would report non-conformities found in the audit process, and then the
manufacturer would have some time to correct them.
9. Joint Review (Audit) with ASME Designee, Inspector and Supervisor
Finally, the audit would be conducted by an ASME designated person, supervisor
authorized Inspector and authorized inspector.
That is the reason this audit is named a joint review.
You may know ASME Code Section 8 has three divisions. Division 1 covers pressure
up to 3000 psi, Division 2 has an alternative rule and covers up to 10,000 psi and
Division 3 can be used for pressure higher than 10,000 psi.
Hierarchy of Standard
1. Law and Regulation at Location of Installation
Mandatory application of ASME pressure vessel code is determined by rule and
regulation at location of installation.
For example, if you are living in the state of Minnesota, the application of ASME
Code for construction and stamping is mandatory in your location, but if you are
living in the state of South Carolina, it is not mandatory.
For example, the formula for wind or earthquakes is not provided in the ASME Code
Section 8, and these items and other similar loading considerations need to be
designed by using the information provided in the pressure vessel handbooks.
For ASME pressure vessel manufacture certification, as well as Authorized Inspection
Agency certification, Review the Pressure Vessel Certification article.
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Pneumatic test pressure = 1.1 x MAWP x stress ratio, Pressure should be increased in
steps (Total 6).
1st step 50% of test pressure
2nd to 6 step 10% of test pressure
Insp. Pr. (pneumatic) = test pressure /1.1
16. Pressure gauge range should be about twice the test pressure. However, in any
case it shall not be lower than 1.5 times and not higher than 4 times the test pressure.
17. Vessel MAWP represents the maximum safe pressure holding capacity of the
vessel. Vessel MAWP is measured at top-most point and is lowest of vessel part
MAWPs, adjusted for hydrostatic head.
18. For vertical vessels, hydrostatic pressure caused due to liquid with specific gravity
= 1, 1ft of height = 0.43 psig. Or 1 mtr of height = 0.1 Bar
19. Total pressure at any point of Vertical vessel is given by:
Total Pr. = Vessel MAWP + h x 0.433.
(h = height from top in ft.)
20. If part MAWP and elevations are known, Vessel MAWP can be calculated by the
deducting hydrostatic head from part MAWP.
21. Ext. Pressure is worked out on basis of Geometric factor A (which depends on
L/Do and Do/t ratios) and factor B (depends on A, )
Allowable Ext. Pressure, Pa = 4B/(3(Do/t))
22. For values of A falling to the left of material line in the material chart:
Pa = 2AE/(3(Do/t))
23. Name plate shows The Code stamping, MAWP, design temp., MDMT, and Extent
of Radiography.
24. ASME materials (SA) shall be used for code stamped vessel fabrication instead of
ASTM (A) materials.
25. Reinforcement pad is not required, if the size of finished opening is (UG 36)
Not exceeding 2-3/8 for all thicknesses of vessel
39. For Furnace PWHT in ASME Code Section 8 , Loading Temperature shall not
exceed 800F, heating rate 400 deg F/hr/inch of thickness, cooling rate 500F /hr/inch
of thickness. Still air cooling permitted below 800F. During soaking period, temp
difference between hottest and coldest part shall not exceed 150F.
40. Minimum overlap for PWHT in multiple heats = 5 ft.
41. For the ASME Code Section 8 impact test requirement, UCS 66 curve. If MDMTthickness combination falls on or above the curve, impact testing is exempted.
Additional exemptions are given as per UG-20(f) and UCS=68 (c).
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For example, if you have calculated your shell thickness under internal pressure and
obtained 12 mm, your torispherical head thickness will be approximately 21.24mm.
Your torispherical head knuckle radius is 6% of the inside crown radius, and your
crown radius is equal to outside the diameter of the head skirt.
If your dished head is seamless and your joint efficiency is 1, your head to shell needs
full radiography and spot radiography for your ellipsoidal or torispherical heads.
For a more detailed description, please review the ASME Pressure Vessel Joint
Efficiencies article.
You need to take care about your Pressure Vessel Plate Materials, there are lots of
requirements and specific prohibitions in the ASME code.
Some of these requirements are ASME and Non ASME plate materials, plate
specifications, inspection requirements and material test reports. This article describes
these requirements for you.
What is ASME Material?
ASME Code Sec VIII DIV 1 requires the materials that are used for pressure
containing parts to be one of:
Material specified in ASME section II materials but with some restrictions, which are
stated in ASME Code Sec VIII Div 1 in subsection C e.g. UCS, UHF, UNF.
For example, SA 283 plate material is listed in ASME Sec II, but when you refer to
subsection C in Sec VIII Div 1, you see it is not allowed to be used for lethal
substance services as well as for unfired steam boilers. Also, you cannot use this
material when you need your thickness to be greater than 5/8 inch.
What is Difference Between ASTM Material and ASME Material?
When you refer to ASME Section II Part A, you see all material with SA prefix
identification and on one side there is an ASTM logo, and on the other side is ASME
logo.
But the ASTM prefix is single A.
Example:
A manufacturer received an order for manufacturing a pressure vessel with an SA 516
Gr.60 pressure vessel plate normalized material, but apparently this material is not
available in the market...
So the material supplier recommended to the pressure vessel manufacturer to purchase
an available P265GH material instead. The manufacturer requested a copy of the
material certificate for P265GH to verify for recertification per UG-10.
Melting method, practice, deoxidation and heat treatment are consistent with SA 516
Gr.60 specification, the current available P265GH material produced by basic oxygen
process and secondary vacuum process refinement and both normalized.
Step 2: Plate material certificate prove there is no conflict in chemical analysis
between the suggested non-ASME material and the equivalent permitted ASME
material.
The manufacture controlled chemical analysis in pressure vessel plate material
certificate of P265GH with SA 516 Gr.60 specification and confirm everything is in
specific minimum or ranged limits.
Step 3: Plate material certificate prove the suggested non-ASME material produced
and tested in accordance to equivalent permitted ASME material.
Manufacturer the first control with the required number of test specimens for each
mechanical test, as well as the size of specimens and confirm that both standards are
the same;
Then check the plate material mechanical test result for yield stress, tensile strength
and elongation and confirm all are in specific range of SA 516 Gr.60.
Manufacturer control for plate material impact test requirement and notice impact test
carried out by ISO V method and in - 53 degree F;
But SA 516 Gr.60 requires to be impact tested in -60 degree F with Charpy V-notch
test method based on SA 370 Specification so there are two conflicts here. First is the
test method, and seconder is in the test temperature.
So pressure vessel manufacturer requests that the plate material supplier provide a test
plate and send the test piece to a laboratory for impact testing based the SA 516 Gr.60
specification.
The lab test report confirms that the P265GH plate material covers the SA 516 Gr.60
impact testing requirement.
You may know Pressure Vessel Joint Efficiencies are linked to the radiography testing
grades and there is a concession for full radiography testing as per the UW-11(a) (5)
(b) clause which it is a little bit confusing.
This article provides you the ASME pressure vessel joint efficiencies requirements
and guidelines for the above clause.
Based on the ASME Code requirement, manufacturers have to mark the type of RT
i.e. RT1, RT2, RT3 and RT4 in the pressure vessel name plate and state the same in
Pressure Vessel Data Report.
We have seen many professionals, from inspectors to quality control engineers who
are confused between RT1 and RT2, specifically when they see ASME Pressure
Vessel Joint Efficiencies for both RT1 and RT2 is the same and equal to 1(E=1).
They say both RT1 and RT2 are categorized in the Full Radiography part in UW-11
clause ...
So why are some joints in RT2 radiographed in spots?
We are making spot radiography, but it is categorized in full radiography!!!
So in this "ASME Pressure Vessel Joint Efficiencies" article we want to answer this
question in very simple way, but before this, we need review joint categories and
summarize them as below:
Category A:
Category B:
Category C and D are flange welds and nozzle attachment welds respectively
Longitudinal welds (Category A) are more critical than Circumferential welds
(Category B) because they are under double stress.
This the reason why in different part of ASME code we have stringent rules in
category A joint compared to category B joint.
See the following Fig. for joint categories:
Now let's get back to the ASME Pressure Vessel Joint Efficiencies subject, to remove
the above confusion about RT1 and RT2.
We need to know:
When and where is there a code requirement for full radiography?
Item 1: All butt welds in vessels used to contain a lethal substance (UW-11(a)).Lethal
substances have specific definitions in ASME Code in UW-2 and it is the
responsibility of the end user to determine if they ordered a vessel that contains lethal
substances.
Item 2: All butt welds in vessels in which the nominal thickness exceeds specified
values (UW-11(a). You can find these values in subsection C, in UCS-57, UNF-57,
etc. For example, this value for P-No.1 in UCS-57 is 1 inch.
Item 3: All butt welds in an unfired steam boiler with design pressure > 50 psi (UW11(a)).
Item 4: All category A and D butt welds in vessel when Full Radiography
optionally selected from table UW-12(column (a) in this table is selected); and
categories B and C which intersect Category A shall meet the spot radiography
requirement (UW-11(a) (5) (b)).
The point is this: items 1, 2 and 3 are similar, but item 4 is completely different. In
items 1, 2 and 3 it is mandated by code; to do full radiography in all butt welds in
vessel so it means it is mandatory for designer to select column (a) in UW-12 table.
But in item 4, there is no mandating rule. A manufacturer with its own decision has
chosen to use column (a) in table UW-12 for full radiography.
So here there is a concession or bonus to manufacturers for categories B and C.
What is concept behind this concession or bonus in pressure vessel RT test?
If you review item 1, 2 and 3 one more time, you will see that the pressure vessel RT
tests are related to the type of welds and services.
You can see the pressure vessels in these items are critical from a safety point of view,
one contains a lethal substance, the other one has a high thickness, which implicates
high pressure, and the last one is an unfired steam boiler. But item 4 has no criticality
like the other items have.
But you should note all 4 items have been categorized in full radiography clause( U11(a)), so to differentiate item 1, 2 and 3 from item 4, the RT symbols are used in
Code (UG-116).
RT 1: Items 1, 2 and 3, (E=1), All butt welds-full length radiography
RT 2: Item 4 (E=1), Category A and D butt welds full length radiography and
category B and C butt welds spot Radiography
RT 3: (E=0.85), Spot radiography butt welds
RT 4: (E=0.7), Partial / No radiography
You need to consider the hemispherical head joint to shell as category A, but
ellipsoidal and torispherical head joint to shell as category B;
Do you know why? Why ASME considered the stringent rule for pressure vessel RT
test in hemispherical head joint?
It is because this joint is more critical, because the thickness obtained from the
formula for hemispherical head approximately would be half of the shell thickness;
It means if the shell thickness is 1 inch, the hemispherical head thickness would be 0.5
inch.
For more detail, you may review the Pressure Vessel Heads article.
ASME Pressure Vessel Joint Efficiencies for welded Heads
For Welded Heads, the joint efficiency of the vessel will be 1(E=1), if all welds within
the head's full length are radiographed (since they are all Cat. A welds). See above
figure.
ASME Pressure Vessel Joint Efficiencies for Seamless Heads
For seamless heads, the joint efficiency of the vessel will be 1(E=1) if the head to
shell weld is fully radiographed for the hemispherical Head (Cat A);
See the following Figure for RT types:
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You should take this point in to account, which is this: the same joint category with
different
weld
types
have
different
joint
efficiencies.
Summary of weld types:
Type 1: Full penetration welds (Typically Double welded)
Type 2: Welds with backing strip
Type 3: Single welded partial penetration welds
Type 4, 5 and 6: Various Lap welds (rarely used)
Let's say, you have a pressure vessel under design, process and construction has not
started yet.
Based on the ASME impact test requirement, you need to make assessment to see that
either your pressure vessel is exempted from impact testing, or you need to carry out
the test.
There are 4 steps for impact test exemption assessment. You need to know these steps.
You might be exempted in the first, second or third steps and might not be exempted
even in step 4.
So if you are in step 4 and you have not exempted, then you need to carry out the test.
I will explain the process for exemption in this article.
Basic Concept:
You may know carbon steels and low alloy steels exhibit a drastic change in their
room temperature ductility at sub-zero service temperatures. Different types of
materials exhibit different types of transition behavior.
We can see there is a sudden, phenomenal drop in their notch-toughness properties
below the "transition" range of temperature, which should be a matter of concern for
us.
Body centered cubic or Ferritic alloys exhibit a significant transition in behavior when
impact tested over a range of temperatures. Above transition temperature range,
impact specimens fracture in a "ductile" manner, absorbing relatively large amounts of
energy.
At lower temperatures, i.e. below the transition temperature range, the impact test
specimens are found to fracture in a brittle (cleavage) manner, absorbing less energy.
And within the transition temperature range, the fracture is a mixture of ductile and
brittle nature.
A material would be invulnerable to a sudden drop in notch-toughness at the lowest
specified service (or design) temperature, if it is proved by conducting Charpy Vnotch Impact tests on representative test samples, at reference (the lowest service)
temperature.
Grain refined carbon steel forgings and wrought materials (thoroughly worked and
normalized) generally exhibit good notch toughness.
ASME Code Section VIII Div 1 exemption rules for ASME Impact Test
Requirement:
There are specific rules in ASME Code for exemption from ASME Impact Test
Requirement. This test is very expensive, so pressure vessel manufacturers are trying
to be exempted for this costly test.
You need to follow the following clauses to make exemption assessment for ASME
impact test requirement:
UG-20(f) UCS-66(a) UCS-66(b) UCS-68(c)
First you have to keep your pressure vessel design data available and then refer to
UG-20 (f). If you are exempted from this clause, you do not need proceed further.
But if you are not exempted by UG-20 (f), you have to proceed to UCS-66(a), but
again if you are exempted, there is no need for more assessment.
But if not, you have to proceed to UCS-66(b). If you are exempted now, there is no
need for more assessment; otherwise, you have to proceed to UCS-68(c), and again if
you are still not exempted, you have to carry out impact testing.
For some cases, You might be exempted from the ASME impact test requirement in
the first stage in UG-20 (f). In others, You might be exempted in UCS-66(a) or UCS66(b) or UCS-68(c). If you are not exempted, you must prepare yourself for doing this
costly test.
This test would be more costly out of the US because of Laboratory Accreditation
requirements. Also, there are fewer accredited labs in Europe and the Middle East, and
their price is high as well.
UG-20(f)
We will start with UG-20(f) for the ASME impact test requirement. If your MOC
(Material of Construction) is categorized in P-No. 1 or 2 (Refer to ASME Code
Section IX for P-No Definition) and your MOC thickness has the limited value
defined in this clause, then you might be exempted from impact testing.
But you need to refer to Fig UCS-66 in ASME Code Section VIII Div 1 and see in
which A, B, C or D curves your MOC is listed. All ASME carbon steel and low alloy
steel material is distributed in these 4 groups (Curves) of materials.
You need to know that the materials listed in curve D have the best toughness
property, better than the materials listed in curve C. Similarly materials listed in curve
C have better toughness properties compared to materials listed in curve B and
materials listed in Curve B have better toughness than materials listed in Curve A .
See Following Fig UCS-66(a):
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When you determine your MOC curve, then you have to review UG-20(f) and look
for the possibility of exemption from the ASME impact test requirement. There are
some other conditions in this clause, which you should consider for exemption.
For instance, the vessel should be hydrostatically tested after completion, and the
thermal and mechanical loading can not be a design controlling factor.
For example, if your MOC is a normalized SA 516 Gr.70 with 0.75 inch thickness you
will be exempted from ASME impact test requirement.
In the above example (normalized SA 516 Gr.70, Curve D, 1.125 inch thickness), the
minimum permissible temperature without impact test is -26 degree F. This means
that, if in the above example your MDMT changes from -20 degree F to -27 degree F,
then you cannot be exempted from the ASME impact test requirement by UCS-66(a),
and you have to proceed to UCS-66(b)
UCS-66(b)
Let us explain this clause with the above example. Your MDMT from above is -27
degree F, nominal thickness is 1.125 inch, normalized SA 516 Gr.70 listed in curve D
and you are not exempted by UCS-66(a)
So you are here to continue your assessment to find a chance for exemption. You have
to refer to Fig UCS-66.1 and calculate the following formula:
Ratio= tr E / (tn c)
tr is the required design thickness for all applicable loading. We assume for the above
example that is 0.95 inch. E is your joint efficiency, and we assume for this vessel it is
1. This means your vessel is RT2, tn is your nominal thinness, which in the example
from above it is 1.125 inches, and C is corrosion allowance, and we assume it is 0.125
inches; so let calculate:
Ratio = 0.95x1/(1.125 0.125) Ratio= 0.95
See following Fig UCS-66(b):
Then go to the Figure UCS-66(b) and in the vertical axes locate Ratio and draw a
horizontal line. Then locate the cross point with the graph and draw a vertical line to
cross the horizontal axis.
You will be able to reach a value of 8 in the horizontal axes. This 8, is your 8 degree F
bonus from table UCS-66, which you can reduce by 8 degrees F minimum permissible
temperature in table without impact testing.
In the above example, your MDMT is -27 degree F, and in the UCS 66 table, the
minimum permissible temperature without impact testing designated -26 degree F. So
with this clause you can reduce it to -36 degree F(-26 -8 = -34). Your MDMT is -27
degree F, so you are exempted from impact testing with this clause.
UCS-68(c)
Let us change one variable in the above example. Let's assume you need to have -45
degree F for your MDMT. Other variable are the same; it means normalized SA 516
Gr.70 listed in curve D, thickness 1.125, so you can see you are not exempted by
UCS-66(b);
This is because the minimum permissible temperature is -36 degree F, but your
MDMT is -45 degree F, so UCS-68(c) might be helpful.
It says that if post weld heat treatment is not a code requirement and your P-No is 1
and you carry out post weld heat treatment, a 30 degree F bonus will be granted to you
to reduce the minimum permissible temperature in table UCS-66.
So when post weld heat treatment is code requirement?
It is code requirement when your service is lethal and when your thickness for P-No. 1
is greater than 1.5 inch;
So, for our example, our service is not lethal and our P-No. is 1 and thickness is 1.125
and it is less than 1.5 inch: therefore, post weld heat treatment is not code requirement.
It means if you carry out post heat treatment, a 30 degree F bonus will be granted by
this clause. For this example our minimum permissible temperature would be -3630=-66 degree F, and your MDMT is -45 degree F, so you are exempted from impact
testing.
Now the worst case: in the above, assume you need to have -70 degree F for your
MDMT; you can see with this new condition you cannot be exempted even by UCS68(c) and you have to carry out impact testing.