1.

0 DESIGN OF JOINTS AND SUPPORT

The method used to support a vessel will depend on:

a) the size and shape

b) the weight of the vessel
c) the design temperature and pressure
d) the vessel location and arrangement
e) the internal and external fittings and attachments

Supports must allow for thermal expansion in operation. Smaller vessels are usually
supported on beams which are a support ring or brackets are welded to the vessel.
Based on figure1, the horizontal vessels are mounted on two saddle supports.

Figure1: Horizontal cylindrical vessel on saddle supports.

While, based on figure 2, for vertical and tall columns skirt supports are used.
 Figure 2: Typical skirt-support designs. (a) Straight skirt. (b) Conical skirt.

Then, for all types of vessel, Brackets, or lugs, are used based on figure 3.

Figure 3: Bracket supports. (a) Supported on legs. (b) Supported from steel-work

Why the supports must be designed? This is because to carry the weight of the vessel
and contents, and any superimposed loads. For example, wind loads. Then, it will
impose localized loads on the vessel wall. The design also must be checked. Why the
design must be checked? This is because to ensure that the resulting stress
concentrations are below the maximum allowable design stress. Next, to allow easy
access to the vessel and fittings for inspection and maintenance, the supports should be
designed.

Support vessel has many types. For examples:

a) Saddle Supports - used support for horizontal cylindrical vessels, legs can be
used for small vessels.
b) Skirt Support - consists of a cylindrical or conical shell welded to the base of the
vessel.
c) Bracket Supports - used to support vertical vessels and it may rest on the building
structural steel work, or the vessel may be supported on legs.

For our case, the support that suitable is skirt support. This is because our distillation
column is vertical. For vertical vessels, skirt supports are recommended. These are
because:
 a) They do not impose concentrated loads on the vessel shell.
b) They are particularly suitable for use with tall.

Figure 4: Standard steel saddles (adapted from Bhattacharyya, 1976). (a) For vessels
up to 1.2 m.
b

Figure 5: (b) For vessels greater than 1.2 m.

1.1 Skirt Thickness

The skirt thickness must be sufficient to withstand the dead-weight loads and bending
moments imposed on it by the vessel. It will not be under the vessel pressure.

s (tensile) bs ws

s (compressive) bs ws

4M s
bs
Ds t sk t sk Ds
Wv
ws
Ds t sk t sk

Where:

s = resultant stresses

bs = bending stress in the skirt

ws = the dead weight stress in the skirt

M s = maximum bending moment, evaluated at the base of the skirt (due to wind,

seismic and eccentric loads)

Wv = total weight of the vessel and contents

Ds = inside diameter of the skirt, at the base

t sk = skirt thickness.
The skirt thickness should be such that under the worst combination of wind and dead-
weight loading the following design criteria are not exceeded:

s (tensile ) S s E sin s
t sk
s (compressive) 0.125EY sin s

D s

Where:

S s = maximum allowable design stress for the skirt material, normally taken at ambient

temperature, 20C

E = welded-joint efficiency, if applicable

s = base angle of a conical skirt, normally 80 to 90.

Note: The minimum thickness should be not less than 6 mm.

1.2 Calculation

Try a straight cylindrical skirt ( s 90 ) of plain carbon steel, maximum allowable stress

91.7 N/mm2 and Youngs 200 000 N/mm2 at ambient temperature.

The maximum dead-weight load on the skirt:

m
Approximate weight D 2 H sodiumlaurate 9.81 2
4 s

kg m
1.9 2 m 35m 1102 9.81 2
4 m s

1072793N 1072.79kN

Total Weight of vessel, from Example equation above 157.43kN

Total weight, Wv 1072.79 + 157.43kN= 1230.2kN

Wind loading, from Example equation above, Fw 1.809kN/m

kN
1.809 37 2 m
2
1238.3kNm
F H m
Bending moment at the base of skirt M s w v

2 2

As first trial, take the skirt thickness as the same as that of the bottom section of the
vessel, 18mm

4 1238.3 10 3 10 3
bs 24.04 N / mm 2
1900 181900 18
1230.2 10 3
ws test 11.34 N / mm 2
1900 1818
157.43 10 3
ws operating 1.45 N / mm 2
1900 1818

Maximum s compresive 24.04 11.34 35.38 N / mm2

Maximum s tensile 24.04 1.45 22.59 N / mm2

Take a joint efficiency, E= 0.85

s tensile S s E sin
22.59 0.85 114 sin 90
22.59 96.9

t sk
s compressive 0.125E sin
Ds
18
35.38 0.125 200,000 sin 90
1900
35.38 236.8

Both criteria are satisfied adding 2mm for corrosion gives a design thickness of 20mm.