Pressure vessels are essential industrial equipment in the oil, gas, petrochemical, energy, food, and pharmaceutical industries. They are used to store and transport pressurized fluids and, due to their high sensitivity, must meet strict design and safety standards.
The support structure is one of the most important design and operational elements of high-pressure vessels . It supports the weight of the vessel and its contents, transfers the load to the foundation, and resists external influences such as wind and earthquakes. Proper selection and design of the support structure directly impacts the safety, service life, and cost of the vessel.
This article explains the types of supports, their applications, benefits, and design tips.
The importance of supports in pressure vessels
The stand not only serves as a base for the water tank, but also fulfills several important functions, including:
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Support of tanks and liquid loads : The supports must be able to withstand static and dynamic loads without excessive deformation.
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Preventing movements : Movements caused by internal pressure, vibrations or temperature changes must be limited accordingly.
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Load transfer to the foundation : Axial forces, shear forces and moments must be transferred to the foundation.
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Increased resistance to environmental influences : wind loads, earthquakes and thermal loads.
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Take care of yourself and reduce stress : Proper design avoids stress concentrations in the tank.
Types of supports in pressure vessels
1. Seat post
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The most common type of support for horizontal cylindrical tanks.
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Typically, two seats are used: one near the middle and one near the end of the reservoir.
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The design must minimize bending stresses in the tank body.
Special feature:
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Distribute the load evenly across the foundation.
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high durability
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Suitable for tall drawers.
Shortage:
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To avoid stress concentrations at the contact points, careful calculations must be carried out.
2. Skirt support
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It is mainly used in vertical pressure vessels or towers .
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It is a metal cylinder that is welded to the end of the tank lens.
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The skirt is attached to a concrete base and transfers axial and lateral loads.
Special feature:
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High resistance to axial and lateral loads.
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Installation on heavy surfaces is possible.
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Suitable for tall water tanks.
Shortage:
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The construction costs are relatively high.
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Increase the overall height of the tank
3. Lower ring support
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Suitable for small and medium sized vertical storage tanks .
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It is a steel ring welded to the bottom of the tank.
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The load is transferred evenly via the ring to the base.
Special feature:
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Simple design and installation
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Even load distribution
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It costs less than a skirt.
Shortage:
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Limited ability to withstand significant lateral loads
4. Footrest
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For use with small or low pressure tanks .
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It consists of several metal bases that are welded to the body of the tank or lens.
Special feature:
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simple and affordable
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Suitable for small and light aquariums.
Shortage:
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Concentrate the pressure where your legs connect to your torso.
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Restrictions on carrying heavy objects
5. Loop/bow holder
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For use in small, lightweight horizontal storage tanks .
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It is an arched part that is welded to the vehicle body and mounted on a supporting frame.
Special feature:
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Light
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Suitable for small aquariums.
Shortage:
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Restrictions on the use of heavy tanks
Download for support
When designing columns, all possible loads must be taken into account:
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Static load: tank weight + liquid weight + weight of additional components.
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Dynamic loads: vibrations caused by pumps, hydraulic shocks or overpressure.
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Thermal convection: Change in tank length due to thermal expansion or contraction.
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Environmental stress: wind, earthquakes , snow, frost.
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Hose force: The mechanical pressure that occurs when the hose is connected to the nozzle.
Important points when designing supports
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The choice of mounting type should depend on the size, operating pressure, installation direction (horizontal or vertical) and environmental conditions.
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The materials commonly used are carbon steel or alloy steel with sufficient tensile strength .
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The design must comply with ASME Section VIII, API 650 and EN 13445 .
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To avoid additional stresses, thermal expansion must be taken into account in the design.
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The welding connection between the arc and the body must be precise and of high quality.
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In some cases, reinforcing gaskets are used at the joints to reduce pressure.
Practical examples
Let us assume that a processing plant is equipped with a horizontal pressure vessel with a length of 12 meters and a diameter of 2 meters and the liquid filled in the vessel weighs about 40 tons .
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When using a seat post, two saddles are usually constructed:
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The first chair is about a quarter long at one end.
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The second chair is the same distance from the other end.
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This arrangement ensures proper load distribution and reduces bending stresses in the tank.
Advantages and disadvantages of different stent types
| Type of support | Main areas of application | To use | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|
| saddle | Large horizontal storage tanks | High strength and adequate load distribution. | Accurate calculations are required. |
| Bag | above-ground vertical storage tank | Excellent resistance to lateral loads. | higher costs |
| lower ring | small vertical tank | Simple, inexpensive and even loading. | Lateral load limit |
| Man | small light tank | Affordable and easy to install. | high stress concentration |
| Grind | horizontal light tank | Simple and uncomplicated | Restrictions on use |
Finally
Supports are critical components of pressure vessel design. Selecting the correct support type, taking into account the vessel size, operating conditions, and applied loads, is crucial for the safety and stability of the system.
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horizontal tank seat
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Aprons for high vertical towers and tanks
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Lower ring of a small vertical tank
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Fasteners for small and light tanks
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Lifting eyes for special applications and light tanks
Ultimately, the support structure must be based on accurate engineering calculations and comply with current standards to ensure safety and optimize construction and maintenance costs.