Pressure Tanks
Pressure tanks are vessels used to store, contain and/or transport gases, vapors and fluids at pressures above atmospheric pressure, aka high pressures.
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Pressure Tank Applications
Pressure tanks can hold and transport substances in the service of a variety of different industries, among them food and beverage, chemical, recreation, plastic and polymer resins, rubber, military and defense, water and chemical filtration, wastewater and water treatment, pharmaceutical and oil, fuel and energy. In addition, they are also commonly partnered with well systems from which residential homes and buildings get their water supply. Some other examples of pressure tank applications include: the operation of nuclear reactor vessels, autoclaves, recompression chambers and road vehicle air brake reservoirs, the powering of air tools and the operation of diving cylinders and other gas cylinders used in chemical, medical and industrial processes.
Process of Pressure Tanks
Pressure tanks and pressure vessels like them are produced via one of three similar processes: welding, brazing and forging. All three processes rely on high heat, an element that allows them to melt the ends of separate metal pieces and fuse them. Pressure tanks must be made from materials that can handle the high pressure, stress and potentially high temperatures to which they will be subjected. It is of the utmost importance that pressure tanks remain stable and neither lose so much pressure that they lose vapor or air to the atmosphere nor gain so much pressure that they explode or cause a fire.
Materials Used for Pressure Tanks
The best materials from which to make pressure tanks are steel and stainless steel. Steel is a great choice because it is durable, strong and able to maintain its structure even under the influence of high impact and/or extreme temperatures. Stainless steel has all of the aforementioned qualities and it is also easy to clean and resistant to corrosion, so it makes a great material for pressure tanks used in sanitary processes such as food and beverage processing, medical or laboratory applications. Other materials with which manufacturers can fabricate pressure tanks include aluminum, carbon fibers, titanium, zirconium and various high strength polymers. In addition, should the requirements of its intended application call for it, pressure tanks can be lined with polymers, rubber, a metal or a ceramic material that helps maintain the structure of the tank and prevents leaks.
Design of Pressure Tanks
Other tank features that are dependent upon the cylinder’s intended application and the substance(s) it will contain include those related to size, shape, ideal pressure level and temperature range. For example, technically speaking, pressure tanks can be constructed using designs other than the cylinder, but for most applications, the cylinder provides the most stability. To serve their many possible applications, pressure tanks can be constructed as vessels with capacities ranging from five gallons to several thousand gallons. They can be as small as a coffee cup and as large as a mini-van.
Types of Pressure Tanks
Many different types of tanks may be categorized as pressure tanks. Examples of these include: ammonia tanks, steam drums, hot water tanks, refractory lined vessels and process tanks.
Standards and Specifications of Pressure Tanks
All pressurized containment vessels can be made to meet the specifications of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, more commonly known as ASME. ASME tanks, as they are sometimes known, are made specifically to meet the ASME quality requirements for design, fabrication, construction, use and maintenance. To keep their ASME status, these pressure vessels must also undergo periodic inspection. Many manufacturers automatically create tanks that meet ASME standards because ASME standards are so universally applied. While they are rarely required, most customers want to know that their products are high quality and safe, and ASME certification provides that reassurance.
Pressure tanks can also fulfill the requirements of other standards both domestic and international, such as those set by UL, ASTM International, TUV the USDA, ISO, Canada, the European Union and more. Most manufacturers also produce non-code vessels. For the best and most relevant information regarding the options for and requirements of your application, contact an experienced pressure tank manufacturer near you today. Among the best talent out there are those companies listed here near the top of this page. Reach out to one or more of them to get the answers and quality products for which you are looking.
Accessories of Pressure Tanks
Pressure vessels can also feature accessories and components such as: consumable and spare parts, flanges, manways, flat cover plates, end closures, nozzles, external attachments, locking rings, reinforcing pads, backing strips, support saddles, walkways, adaptor seals, thrust rings, retaining rings, tubesheets, side ports, forged components and welded components like fittings and shells.
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