Project Context

This project analyzed structural support configurations for a non-jacketed MSGL (Mild Steel Glass-Lined) pressure vessel used in high-pressure industrial applications. The focus was on understanding thermo-gravitational stress effects on different support types.

Engineering Problem

• Support a fully loaded pressure vessel under combined thermal and gravitational loading

• Compare structural performance of saddle, skirt, and lug supports

• Identify deformation-prone support configurations

• Evaluate adequacy of ASME-code-based preliminary designs

Approach & Methodology

A pressure vessel was designed using ASME BPVC Section VIII guidelines and modeled in SOLIDWORKS. Vessel thickness was analytically determined for an internal pressure of 0.5 MPa, resulting in a total wall thickness of 7.5 mm including 1.5 mm glass lining. Support structures (saddle, skirt, lug) were modeled and assembled with the vessel.

Material properties for carbon steel and borosilicate glass lining were assigned. Combined steady-state thermal and static structural FEM analyses were performed in ANSYS, applying internal temperature loading and total vessel weight as a downward force.

Key Results

• Total vessel + fluid mass: 14,724 kg

• Resulting gravitational load on supports: 144.45 kN

• Thermal boundary conditions: 300 °C internal, 25 °C ambient

• Saddle supports: Leg deformation observed; insufficient stiffness at chosen thickness

• Skirt support: Withstood applied load with acceptable deformation

• Lug supports: Severe deformation under gravitational loading; structurally inadequate in baseline design

Engineering Judgment & Trade-offs

Saddle and lug supports showed sensitivity to thickness selection and stress concentration, making them unsuitable without reinforcement. Skirt supports distributed load more uniformly but required geometric optimization for improved safety margins. The study highlighted the limitations of thin preliminary designs and the need for iterative thickness and geometry refinement.

Tools & Methods

SOLIDWORKS CAD, ANSYS Structural, ANSYS Thermal FEM, ASME BPVC design rules.

Outcome / Takeaway

The analysis demonstrated that skirt supports are structurally superior for heavy MSGL pressure vessels under combined thermo-gravitational loading. The project established a comparative FEM-based framework for selecting and improving pressure vessel support designs in industrial applications.