2 replies to this topic

[donthurtme]

I am trying to calculate the required thickness of a pressurized reactor and I cannot for the life of me find a decent equation that I can make sense out of/have the values to use. I calculated a required diameter of 2.6m and a length of 15.8m for a tubular PFR in my process, and it is operating under a pressure of 500psia. I have been instructed that 6 inches of insulation will make the surface temperature 900F. From here I really don't know where to go. I have been told and given relations to calculate the reactor cost on a weight basis, so I can't go ahead until I know how to find the wall thickness.

[donthurtme]

For those who wish to know, Peters and Timmerhaus pp 554-555 has a good list of methods based on ASME codes.

[Art Montemayor]

Hurting:

By using the symbols PFR, do you mean “Plug Flow Reactor”? If so, I would advise you as a student to start the practice of always defining the acronyms, abbreviations, symbols, etc. that you use instead of the full, written terms you are referring to. When you deal with engineers in the future, you will be communicating with more accuracy and understanding if you practice what I recommend. We can't be expected to know what it is that you mean by your acronyms and abbreviations.

Your query is not organized well. You ask us to show you how to calculate the wall thickness for a reactor and you state you have been given the relations. This doesn’t make for good sense. You also state that you’ve been given the insulation thickness and the surface temperature. These factors have nothing to do with what you are trying to resolve. So, why worry about that? Then you later add that the Peters and Timmerhaus book gives you the ASME methods to resolve the problem. Do you still have a problem? I get the feeling that you are writing with a very confused idea of what you are supposed to do and don’t know how to identify your scope of work assigned to you.

Can you be specific and detailed in what you are trying to resolve. Perhaps we can help you – but first we have to understand what it is that you have as a goal or a challenge.

Calculating the wall thickness of a pressure vessel is not a complicated affair. But is that what you really need to do?

We await your detailed and accurate supply of information and data. Please help us help you.