A better way to support horizontal pressure vessels subject to thermal loading

Abstract

When storing liquids at high temperature, in horizontal vessels, the current design methods aim to minimise the thermal stresses by introducing a sliding surface at the base of one of the twin saddle supports. However, regular site maintenance is required to ensure that adequate sliding is achieved. This may be difficult and costly to carry out. The aim of the present work, therefore, is to dispense with the sliding support and to provide saddle designs which although fixed to the platform, or foundation, do not result in the storage/pressure vessel being overstressed when thermal loading occurs. The paper provides general recommendations for the most appropriate caddie geometries, and details the way in which 'Design by Analysis' and 'Fatigue Life Assessments' may be carried out using the stresses which arise from these designs.