A pressure vessel is a closed container designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure substantially different from the ambient pressure.
What kinds of tanks are classified as pressure vessels?
Pressure vessels come in a variety of forms. However, the typical pressure vessels that MaXfield has built for customers are:
- anhydrous ammonia tanks (NH3)
- LPG tanks
- compressed gas storage tanks (eg.: oxygen or nitrogen)
- two or three phase separators
- process towers
- HP & LP steam drums
- Production testing tanks
- Slug catchers
- Treaters
- Free water knock outs
- Flare knock outs
What kind of pressure are pressure vessels designed to withstand?
MaXfield is capable of manufacturing vessels to withstand a wide variety of pressures. Limitations depend upon overall weight and dimensions.
How often does a pressure vessel need to be inspected?
The specific requirements are dependent upon the service and the location of the vessel. For example in the province of Alberta the inspection requirements are governed by the Alberta Safety Boilers Association (ABSA). This organization provides the owner with the guidelines (AB-506, Inspection and Servicing Requirements for In-Service Pressure Equipment), however the method that an owner uses to track and implement is unique to each organization.
Why do pressure vessels need to be inspected?
It’s important to identify problems with pressure vessels before they become dangerous, and a qualified inspector is the only person who can legally do this. If a pressure vessel fails, it can result in serious injury, death, or environmental contamination by releasing large amounts of energy and gases.
As an example, an air tank holding 80 gallons at 200 psi can emit a blast that is approximately equivalent to 393 grams of TNT. An explosion like that can clearly cause damage to buildings, equipment and environmental surroundings, and can harm or kill people nearby.
Pressure vessels manufactured by MaXfield are designed to be safe and meet or exceed all technical requirements. In addition, MaXfield has implemented tools such as our Online Asset Tracking System (OATS) to assist our customers in managing the inspection process..
For more information on MaXfield's line of pressure vessels and custom manufactured pressure assets, contact our sales centre in Calgary at (403) 258-3680 or use the contact form below.
