SPHERICAL VESSELS

Introduction:
A sphere is a very strong structure. The even distribution of stresses on the sphere's
surfaces, both internally and externally, generally means that there are no weak
points. That's why a drop of water forms a spherical shape when under free fall, in
short, it achieves a shape where all the resultant stresses neutralize when no
external force(gravity) is acting on it. Moreover, they have a smaller surface area
per unit volume than any other shape of vessel. This means, that the quantity of
heat transferred from warmer surroundings to the liquid in the sphere, will be less
than that for cylindrical or rectangular storage vessels. Thus less pressurization due
to external heat.

Pressure vessels are closed structures containing liquids or gases under pressure.
Examples include tanks, pipes, pressurized cabins, etc.

To determine the stresses in a spherical vessel let us cut through the sphere on a
vertical diameter plane and isolate half of the shell and its fluid contents as a single
free body. Acting on this free body is the tensile stress in the wall of the vessel
and the fluid pressure p. Shell structures: When pressure vessels have walls that
are thin in comparison to their radii and length. In the case of thin walled pressure
vessels of spherical shape the ratio of radius r to wall thickness t is greater than 10.
A sphere is the theoretical ideal shape for a vessel that resists internal pressure.

The pressure that acts horizontally against the plane circular area is uniform and
gives a resultant pressure force of :Where pis the gage or internal pressure (above
the pressure acting in the outside of the vessel).

The stress is uniform around the circumference and it is uniformly distributed

across the thickness t(because the wall is thin). The resultant horizontal force is :

Equilibrium of forces in the horizontal direction:

As is evident from the symmetry of a spherical shell that we will obtain the same
equation regardless of the direction of the cut through the center.
The wall of a pressurized spherical vessel is subjected to uniform tensile stresses
in all directions.
Stresses that act tangentially to the curved surface of a shell are known as
membrane stresses.
Limitations of the thin-shell theory:
1.The wall thickness must be small (r/t> 10)
2.The internal pressure must exceed the external pressure.
3.The analysis is based only on the effects of internal pressure.
4.The formulas derived are valid throughout the wall of the vessel except near
points of stress concentration.

Materials of construction
While steel and concrete remain one of the most popular choices for tanks, glassreinforced plastic, thermoplastic and polyethylene tanks are increasing in
popularity. They offer lower build costs and greater chemical resistance, especially
for storage of special chemicals. There are several relevant standards, such as
British Standard 4994 (1989), DVS (German Welding Institute) 2205, and ASME
(American Society of Mechanical Engineers) RTP-1 [4] which give advice on wall
thickness, quality control procedures, testing procedures, accreditation, fabrication
and design criteria of final product.
In this project we will use the A-36 steel as material of the tank and the A-572 steel
for bolts.

Calculation:

The volume of sphere must be 250 m3

The tank is under a gauge pressure of 2 MPa
Dbolt=25mm
Allowable stress of tank=150 MPa(A-36 steel)
Allowable stress of bolts =250MPa(A-572 steel)

V=250 m3 =4r3/3
r=4m ; Din(tank)=8m
allow=pr/2t ; 150106=(21064)/2t
t=0.02667m
Since r/t = 4/0.02667=150>10 then wall analysis is valid
F=p.A=2106[(8)2/4]=32106 N

Fy=0
32106 nFb(allow)=0
n=(32106)/Fb(allow)
Fb(allow) = allow.Ab=250(106)[(0.025)2/4]=3.90625103 N
nbolts=820 bolts
But the circumference of this sphere equal 2*pi*r = 2*(3.1416)*4 = 25.13m
And the distance occupied by the bolts equal 820*25mm =20.5m
Thus the distance between two bolts = (25.13-20.5)/820 =5.64 mm which is very
small. So we should minimize the number of bolts by increasing its diameter and
changing its material:
Fb(allow) = allow.Ab and by tacking a 30 mm diameter bolts and a 390 MPa allow
austenitic steel (SCS 16)
Fb(allow) = 390 MPa * [(0.03)2/4]= 275.6747KN
nbolts = 365 bolts
distance occupied by the bolts equal 365*30mm =11 m
thus the distance between two bolts = (25.13-11)/365 =38.7 mm which is
acceptable.

Construction of the sphere :

Surface of the sphere equal 4*Pi*r^2 = 201 m
Thus by using a plate ( 3m,1m 3m^2) we should use 67 plate with a thickness
of 0.02667 m
But I will use plates with t = 0.013335 m joined by rivets thus the total nbre of
plates = 134 plates (3m,1m,0.013335m)

Construction of the basement :

Density of steel varies between 7750 and 8050 kg/m3;
Let Ro = 8050 kg/m3 mass 0f the vessel M=3/2[PV*Ro/sigma] =40250 kg
Mass gaz = 250 m3 * Ro(gaz)

Total mass = mass gaz+mass vessel;

The bending moment exerted on the basement M = (Mass total*r) = 4*Mass total
N.m
And by using the formula of pure bending =MY/I
So is determined by the material chosen,Y (maximum distance from the neutral
axis )and I(second moment of inertia) is determined according to the gas putted on
the vessel;

Design Features
Safety Valves

As the pressure vessel is designed to a pressure, there is typically a safety valve or relief valve to
ensure that this pressure is not exceeded in operation.

Pressure vessel closures

Pressure vessel closures are pressure retaining structures designed to provide quick access to
pipelines, pressure vessels, pig traps, filters and filtration systems. Typically pressure vessel
closures allow maintenance personnel to load a sphere or pig into a pig trap for pipeline cleaning
purposes

Other types of tank:

TYPES OF WATER STORAGE TANKS

There are three basic types of potable water-storage tanks: ground storage tanks, elevated storage
tanks, and hydropneumatic tanks.
Ground storage tanks can be installed either below or above ground. They are fabricated of concrete
or steel. They generally have the function of providing large volumes of storage for peak-day
demand when the capacity of the source of supply is less than the maximum daily volume the

specific system may need. An example of a situation in which the peak-day demand is larger than
what the system can deliver daily is a system served by a well that can deliver only enough water to
satisfy the distribution system for a short time of high-volume need. Having a large ground storage
tank allows the operator to set the pumps to operate mainly during off-peak hours, usually overnight
when power rates are lower, to fill the tank for the daytime peak period demand.

Hydropneumatic tanks are used to provide pressure to very small public water systems such as
resorts, mobile home parks and very small communities. They are not a good storage vessel for fire
protection purposes due to the small volume of water within the vessel. Hydropneumatic tanks must
be housed in a heated building to prevent freezing of the tank and associated piping, air
compressor, and controls.

Elevated storage tanks are usually constructed of welded, bolted, or riveted steel, although a few
wooden tanks still exist. Configurations for elevated steel tanks include standpipes, leg or supported
tanks, and single pedestal tanks.
Stand pipes are essentially ground storage tanks constructed to a height that will provide adequate
system pressure in the operating range. Their diameter is constant from the ground to the top, and
they are completely filled with water. While a standpipe contains a large volume of water, only the
upper volumes would be available for use if pressure demands throughout the system are to be
maintained. There is a tendency for lower-level standpipes to freeze unless they are operated very
carefully or equipped with circulation or air bubblers to prevent or reduce ice build-up in the winter.
Stand pipes are generally constructed of welded or bolted steel. Access to the top of the tank is
usually by an exterior ladder. The inlet pipe generally only extends one to two feet above the floor at
the base.

Leg supported tanks are the most common type of elevated tank seen in our area. A large volume
tank is supported by a structural system of legs and cross or wind bracing. Water enters and leaves
the tank through an insulated riser pipe usually located in the center of the support structure for the
tank. This type of elevated tank is less prone to freezing than a standpipe because the water tends to
circulate better throughout the stored volume. Leg supported tanks still require careful operation to
minimize ice sheet build up during the winter months.

Single pedestal tanks have a single support structure in the center of the tank with a large volume
tank at the top. A pedestal tank is easier and less expensive to maintain, but more costly to construct.
The riser pipe and access ladder are contained within the pedestal tube and, since the pedestal and
base are not normally heated, the riser pipe is insulated to reduce the potential for freezing.

References:
materialsAndStructures/Hibbeler8thEditionBook
*http://www.mrwa.com/OP-Storage.pdf
*http://www.tyconalloy.com/TYC/images/en_US/media/products/pdf/Comm_Steel_Standards.pdf
*http://academic.uprm.edu/pcaceres/Courses/MMII/IMoM-6A.pdf

TEAM ; Adam Dahaby 201203071

Toufik el etri 201203323