Pressure vessels

A pressure vessel is a pressurized container, often cylindrical or spherical. The pressure acting on the inner surface is resisted by tensile stresses in the walls of the vessel. Pressure vessels are commonly used in industrial applications such as gas, oil, water, and chemical industries. Pressure vessels can be dangerous, and fatal accidents have occurred in the history of their development and operation. Consequently, pressure vessel design, manufacture, and operation are regulated by engineering authorities backed by legislation. For these reasons, the definition of a pressure vessel varies from country to country. This chapter examines the types of pressure vessels in mechanical applications, and covers the full design of different pressure vessel types, along with examples and solved/unsolved problems. The chapter explains the stress–strain analysis of pressure vessel types such as thin cylindrical shell, thick cylindrical shell, thin spherical shell, and multi-layer composite pipe. This chapter can be used as teaching material for courses in machine design for mechanical and industrial engineering majors in colleges and universities, and can also be used as a reference for scientific and technical personnel engaged in scientific and engineering calculations.