CROSS COMPARISON OF EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN PRESSURE VESSEL STANDARDS IN THE DESIGN OF THE MAIN PRESSURE VESSEL COMPONENTS

A comparison among the different Pressure Vessel standards is a difficult exercise. In fact consideration should be given not only to the differences in the resulting thicknesses, but also to the fabrication, testing and inspection procedures, which sometimes are a substantial part of the final cost of a vessel. Moreover, each national standard should be used with its national material specifications, that sometimes have a remarkable influence on the calculation formulae or on the nominal design stresses. The purpose of this paper is to consider only the design and calculation aspects, comparing the minimum thicknesses obtained with the most important American and European Pressure Vessel standards for the most common shapes used in Pressure Vessel fabrication (Cylinders, Spheres, Cones, Flanges, Tubesheets, etc.). Tables and graphs will be provided, with the intention to understand the reasons of the differences, and giving a particular attention to the more modern standards, ASME Section VIII division 2 - 2007 for the United States and EN 13445 - 2009 for the European Union.