GLYCERIN PURIFICATION

COLUMN

CH 3060 PLANT AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN KEERTHANA BASKARAN

ASSIGNMENT 1 130686J
INTRODUCTION
This assignment consists of design of a column for the purification of glycerin with superheated steam
according to the class stipulated by the appropriate codes and standards. The heating of the glycerin is
done by passing the superheated steam via coil into the column. [1]
Glycerin boils at 290oC at atmospheric pressure. At this temperature glycerin undergoes
decomposition. Hence, with a pressure below atmospheric pressure, which is in vacuum, glycerin can
be obtained without decomposition as its boiling point will be low. If direct steam is used for the
purification, again separation has to be made between the mixture of the obtained glycerin and steam.
Thus, indirect heating with steam is preferred to separate fatty acids, alcohol and salts from crude
glycerin. [9]
The process vessel is operating under the following conditions:

Absolute pressure - 60 mmHg

Operating temperature - 215oC
Mean diameter is 2.5 m
Length of cylindrical shell is 5 m

Design includes:

1. Material selection
2. Calculation for the Design Pressure (PDesign) and Temperature (TDesign)
3. Calculation for the wall thickness of the shell economical and safe to PDesign & TDesign
4. Selection of the suitable ends and calculation of their wall thicknesses
5. Required Openings for the vessel and compensation for them

6. Suitable support type for the vessel

7. Description of fabrication procedure

8. Technical drawings of the designed vessel including welding symbols
1. MATERIAL SELECTION
As the heating happens by passing superheated steam, according to ASME code division 1 of section
VIII these vessels are marked with U, meaning unfired. There are three types of vessels under this
category:

1. U-68 (Heavy duty vessels)

Can be used for any content including lethal gases and liquids
No limit for operating temperature
Operating pressure can be up to 1500 psi

2. U-69 (Moderate load vessels)

Can be used for any content except lethal gases and liquids
Operating temperature limit 700 F
Operating pressure should be below 400 psi

3. U-70 (Light duty vessels)

Can be used for non-toxic gases and liquids
Operating temperature limit 250 F
Operating pressure below 100 psi

Since the maximum operating temperature is 215oC and the operating pressure is 60 mmHg, and the
process contents are not lethal as well, so we can opt for U-69.

Common materials that are used in the construction of pressure vessels are mainly classified into 4
categories:

Steels
Plain Carbon Steels
Low Carbon Steel ( below 0.25% carbon)
Medium Carbon Steel ( 0.3% - 0.45% carbon)
High Carbon Steel ( 0.45% - 0.75% carbon)

Low alloy steels

0.4% C
0.7% Mn
1.85% Ni- increases toughness and improves low- temperature properties and
corrosion resistance
0.8% Cr- improves hardness, corrosion resistance and resistance to oxidation
0.25% Mo- provides strength at elevated temperatures.

High alloy steels ( stainless steels)

Martensitic (12%- 20% Cr)
Ferritic (15%-30% Cr with low carbon content like 0.1%)
Austenitic ( lowest carbon content of lower than 0.08% and 16%-26% Cr and
6%-22% of Ni)

Clad steel
 Non-ferrous materials
Aluminium and its alloys
Copper and copper alloys
Nickel and nickel alloys

Specialty metals such as titanium and zirconium

Non-metallic materials such as plastic and composites

To select a suitable material for the process to be carried out, various factors were taken to
considerations which are as followed:

Corrosion resistance from contents and atmosphere

Mechanical & physical properties
Availability in markets and fabrication
Environmental & material costs (including total life cycle cost)

From the list of materials available,

Non-ferrous materials usually have a low service temperature (Aluminium alloys -150oC and
Nickel alloys) and since glycerin is organic it may react as well (copper alloys)
In non-metallic materials, PVC is not suitable as it may swell when it comes in contact with
organic substances and also it has low service temperature of 60oC. Polyolefin has also got a
low service T of 120oC
Specialty materials are very costly and are used for very high pressure related process.
Thus, steel is suitable for this process:
Most of the steels are hard to fabricate and are not suitable for the content.[2]
High alloy steels (stainless steel) fulfill most of the required specifications for this
column. In that, Austenitic steel is most widely used and are available in market.[3]
Type 316L can be chosen as the most suitable type from the other available types as it
is considerably more resistant to solutions of fatty acids at high temperature. [4]

So, according to ASME section VIII division 1, SA240 (plate)- S31603, 316L is the selected material.
2. DESIGN PRESSURE AND DESIGN TEMPERATURE
Design Pressure
The process vessel is operating under an absolute pressure of 60 mmHg. External pressure is
atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). Then the vessel is external pressure vessel.

Design Temperature
The vessel operates at 215 oC and it is heated using superheated steam through coil.

3. CACULATION OF THE WALL THICKNESS OF THE SHELL

ECONOMICAL AND SAFE TO DESIGN PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.

Since it is an external pressure vessel, the shell thickness should be able to withstand elastic failure and
plastic failure. Various values for the calculation of the shell thickness can be obtained from ASME
section II, part D .
Safe external pressure against plastic failure is given by :

( ) )
(
( )

- welded joint efficiency

U- out of roundness, %

- design stress
t - actual wall thickness of the shell
Do - outer shell diameter

L - vessel effective length

Vessel effective length can be calculated by :

L effective = tangent to tangent length + 1/3 of each head

=[ ( )] * + m

L
Do = Dmean + t

For new vessels to be designed, out of roundness value can be taken as 1.5%

Welded joint efficiency can be taken as 1 (full radiography) since it is type 1 weld joint with full
penetration, that is double welded V groove butt joint.

Design stress value can be interpolated using the details from ASME section II part D Table 1A and it
is taken as 106 MPa

Therefore,

( )
( ( ))

( )

While calculating for actual thickness, corrosion allowance should be added. Since it is stainless
steel it is not required.

Now we need to check for elastic failure

( )

where,
K,m coefficients
E- elasticity modulus of the steel at design temperature
t- actual wall thickness of the shell
Do outer shell diameter
Value for E can be obtained at design temperature for 316L by interpolation using section II part D
Table TM-1
E = 181 GPa

m and K are functions of Do/ Leffective

Do/ Leffective = 2.5076 / 5.4342

= 0.4614

Do/Leffective K m

0.1 0.185 2.60

0.2 0.224 2.54

0.3 0.229 2.47

0.4 0.246 2.43

0.6 0.516 2.49

0.8 0.660 2.48

1.0 0.879 2.49

1.5 1.572 2.52

2.0 2.364 2.54

3.0 5.144 2.61

4.0 9.037 2.62

5.0 10.359 2.58

We need to interpolate to find m and K for 0.4614, we get

m = 2.45 K = 0.3289
when t = 0.0076 m

( )

= 40230 Pa
Since the obtained value is lesser than design pressure, the vessel can undergo elastic failure. So, we
need to calculate new thickness value using design pressure as critical pressure

( )

t = 0.01072 m = 10.72 mm
The obtained thickness value will be able to withstand both elastic and plastic failure. Available
thickness value in the market is 12 mm [5]
Therefore, actual wall thickness, t = 12 mm

4. SUITABLE ENDS AND CALCULATION OF THEIR WALL THICKNESS

Most commonly available ends are flat plate, formed flat heads, elliptical, hemispherical, tori
spherical, conical and tori-conical ends.

Head type Shape Common properties

Flat plate
For small vessel

For low pressure

Formed flat heads

For small-diameter
vessel

For low pressure

Elliptical

For Pdesign above 1.5MPa

Hemispherical
For high pressure

Expensive to form than

other heads
 Can be formed in a size
range of 6 inches to 300
inches

Tori spherical Meets the pressure

requirement

Tori conical

Suitable for bottom ends

Used for high pressure

Conical

Suitable for bottom ends

Moderate strength
In the selection of pressure vessel head, design pressure and cost should be taken to consideration. For
our pressure vessel, we need a head that does not require high strength or to withstand high pressure.
Cost should be low and can be used for large diameter vessel. From the above table, after considering
the properties of various heads, we can choose tori-spherical head.
Hence, tori-spherical heads can be used for top and bottoms which will be suitable for the process to
be carried out.

Calculation of wall thickness

From ASME section VIII division 1, thickness for a tori-spherical head will be the maximum from the
following values:
I. ASME equation for thickness of tori-spherical head obtained from section VIII division 1,

Where Rcrown = Do and r knuckle = 6% Rcrown

( )
= 3.27 mm

II. Assuming a value for t and calculating the factor A

( )

( )

= 0.00016
Referring to graph fig. HA- 4 of ASME section II part D subpart 3 to obtain the value of B to
calculate maximum allowable external working pressure. Since the value of A falls to the left of the
available data line, following formula is used,

Where E is the modulus of elasticity

( )
 ( )

= 19.17 kPa , which is less than external design pressure 93.33 kPa. So, a larger t value is
required

Assume t = 7.8 mm,

( )

= 0.000388
Referring again to graph HA-4, B value is taken as 34 MPa according to design temperature 225o C.

( )

( )

= 105.57 kPa > 93.33 kPa.

Thus, thickness of tori-spherical head is taken as 7.8 mm as comparing I and II, II has the maximum
value
Available thickness is 8 mm, so actual thickness is 8 mm

4. REQUIRED OPENINGS FOR THE VESSEL AND COMPENSATION FOR

THEM
In the designed pressure vessel, total required openings are six, they are:

Manhole opening
Steam inlet and outlet through coil
Feed inlet
To vacuum system (and condenser)
Bottom
product

TOP VIEW (SAMPLE)

 Checking for interactions between openings 2, 3 and 4
d3 d2
Between 2 and 3:

L between 2 and 3 = 0.5 m

Internal diameter, d2 = 0.08 m

d3 = 0.1 m

Do, cylinder outer diameter = 2.512 m

tactual of shell = 0.012 m

Calculating,
L d = 0.5 0.1 = 0.4 m (where d is the largest diameter of the nozzle under
consideration)

= 0.174 m

Since, L- d > , no interaction is present

Considering interactions between other two holes, it can be made sure there are no interactions
since they are at a higher distance from each other.

Manhole opening

According to ASME section VIII division 1 UG- 46, minimum internal diameter for a circular
manhole will not be less than 400 mm.

Manhole inner diameter d = 450 mm

Welded pad is used for reinforcement

Area removed from the shell A1 =

= 4824 mm2
Excess area in shell A3 = (tactual ttheoritical) x d
= (12-10.72) x 450
= 576 mm2
Area for reinforcement A2 = A1 A3
= 4824 576
= 4248 mm2 = 4.248 x 10-3 m2

Diameter for reinforcement area = (1.5-2.0) x d = 1.5 x 0.45 (1.5 is selected as the shell is
very thick)
= 0.675 m
 Thickness of reinforcement area =

= 6.29 mm

For nozzles 2 and 4

These openings have the same inner diameter dn = 0.08 m

Protruded nozzle is used for reinforcement

Area removed from the shell A1 =

= 0.08 x 0.01072 = 8.576 x 10-4 m2

Excess area in shell A3 = (tactual ttheoritical) x dn
= ( 0.012 0.01072) x 0.08 = 0.0001 m2
Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai where Ao = excess area in outer nozzle
Ai = excess area in inner nozzle

Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1 , where H1 is the outer nozzle length and tn can be obtained
using UG 45 of ASME section VIII division 1 [6]

Hence, tn = 4.80 mm = 0.00480 m

Maximum H1 allowed = ( )

= 0.01291 m

Considering boundary limits for nozzle, H1 =

= 0.0196 m
The smallest value is taken for consideration = 0.01291 m

ttheoritical outer nozzle =

( )
=

= 4.0902 x 10-5 m
 Hence,

Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1

= 1.2288 x 10-4 m2

Ai = (tn x 2H2 )

= 1.23936 x 10-4 m2

Therefore, Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai

= 2.46816 x 10-4 m2
Area for reinforcement A2 = A1 An A3
= 8.576 x 10-4 2.46816 x 10-4 - 0.0001
= 5.10784 x 10-4 m2

Diameter of reinforcement = (1.5-2.0) x dn = 1.5 x 0.08 = 0.12 m

Thickness of reinforcement =

= 4.25 mm

For nozzle 3

Inner diameter considered dn = 0.1 m

Protruded nozzle is used for reinforcement

Area removed from the shell A1 =

= 0.1 x 0.01072 = 1.072 x 10-3 m2

Excess area in shell A3 = (tactual ttheoritical) x dn
= ( 0.012 0.01072) x 0.1 = 1.28 x 10-4 m2
Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai where Ao = excess area in outer nozzle
Ai = excess area in inner nozzle
Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1 , where H1 is the outer nozzle length and tn can be obtained
using UG 45 of ASME section VIII division 1 [6]
Hence, tn = 5.27 mm = 0.00527 m

Maximum H1 allowed = ( )

= 0.01507 m
 Considering boundary limits for nozzle, H1 =

= 0.02296 m
The smallest value is taken for consideration = 0.01507 m

ttheoritical outer nozzle =

( )
=

= 4.6344 x 10-5 m

Hence,

Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1

= 1.5744 x 10-4 m2

Ai = (tn x 2H2 )

= 1.5884 x 10-4 m2

Therefore, Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai

= 3.1628 x 10-4 m2
Area for reinforcement A2 = A1 An A3
= 1.072 x 10-3 3.1628 x 10-4 - 1.28 x 10-4
= 6.2772 x 10-4 m2

Diameter of reinforcement = (1.5-2.0) x dn = 1.5 x 0.1 = 0.15 m

Thickness of reinforcement =

= 4.1828 mm

Opening at the top of the column

Inner diameter considered dn = 0.53 m

Protruded nozzle is used for reinforcement

Area removed from the shell A1 =

= 0.53 x 0.0078 = 4.134 x 10-3 m2

Excess area in shell A3 = (tactual ttheoritical head) x dn
= ( 0.008 0.0078) x 0.53 = 1.06 x 10-4 m2
Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai where Ao = excess area in outer nozzle
Ai = excess area in inner nozzle
Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1 , where H1 is the outer nozzle length and tn can be obtained
using UG 45 of ASME section VIII division 1 [6]
Hence, tn = 8.34 mm = 0.00834 m

Maximum H1 allowed = ( )

= 0.04288 m

Considering boundary limits for nozzle, H1 =

= 0.06648 m
The smallest value is taken for consideration = 0.04288 m

ttheoritical outer nozzle =

( )
=

= 2.37 x 10-4 m

Hence,

Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1

= 6.9491 x 10-4 m2

Ai = (tn x 2H2 )

= 7.1524 x 10-4 m2

Therefore, Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai

= 14.1015 x 10-4 m2
Area for reinforcement A2 = A1 An A3
=4.134 x 10-3 14.1015 x 10-4 1.06 x 10-4
= 2.6179 x 10-3 m2
 Diameter of reinforcement = (1.5-2.0) x dn = 1.5 x 0.53 = 0.795 m

Thickness of reinforcement =

= 3.29 mm

Opening at the bottom of the column

Inner diameter considered dn = 0.125 m

Protruded nozzle is used for reinforcement

Area removed from the shell A1 =

= 0.125 x 0.0078 = 9.75 x 10-4 m2

Excess area in shell A3 = (tactual ttheoritical head) x dn

= ( 0.008 0.0078) x 0.125 = 2.5 x 10-5 m2
Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai where Ao = excess area in outer nozzle
Ai = excess area in inner nozzle
Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1 , where H1 is the outer nozzle length and tn can be obtained
using UG 45 of ASME section VIII division 1 [6]
Hence, tn = 5.73 mm = 0.00573 m

Maximum H1 allowed = ( )

= 0.01752 m

Considering boundary limits for nozzle, H1 =

= 0.02676 m
The smallest value is taken for consideration = 0.01752 m

ttheoritical outer nozzle =

( )
=

= 5.7552 x 10-5 m
Hence,

Ao = (tn ttheoritical nozzle ) x 2H1

= 1.9876 x 10-4 m2

Ai = (tn x 2H2 )

= 2.0078 x 10-4 m2

Therefore, Excess area in nozzle ( An ) = Ao + Ai

= 3.9954 x 10-4 m2
Area for reinforcement A2 = A1 An A3
= 9.75 x 10-4 3.9954 x 10-4 2.5 x 10-5
= 5.5046 x 10-4 m2

Diameter of reinforcement = (1.5-2.0) x dn = 1.5 x 0.125 = 0.1875 m

Thickness of reinforcement =

= 2.936 mm
6. SUITABLE SUPPORT TYPE FOR THE VESSEL
There are various types of supports available for the pressure vessel:

Support type
o Saddle support

o Leg support

o Lug support

o Skirt support
 Usually, skirt supports are the only solution for tall and vertical columns. It is a better option
since it minimizes the local stresses at the point of attachment and also there is a uniform
distribution of direct load over the entire circumference. Skirts can also be considered as
pseudo-supports as fins for heat transfer in case of a thermal gradient. [7]

There are two types of skirt supports: cylindrical and conical. We can opt for cylindrical as
conical skirt is more expensive

The skirt can be welded directly to the bottom of the dished head or to the outside of the shell.
In order to prevent overturning from the bending moments created by wind or seismic loads,
the bottom of the skirt of the vessel must be securely anchored to the concrete foundation using
anchor bolts.[8]

7.DESCRIPTION OF FABRICATION PROCEDURE

As per the process carried out in the pressure vessel, it has been decided that 316L stainless steel is
suitable for fabricating this pressure vessel. There are various forms like plates, sheets, bars, strip
available in the market and plate is suitable for this fabrication process done by welding.

Shell fabrication

o At first, after purchasing the required plate size from the market depending on the
required thickness, required section should be cut using a suitable cutting method.
There are various cutting methods like using oxy-acetylene process, Computer
numerical control (CNC) laser cutting or multi-tool CNC punch pressing. Laser cutting
can provide a very precise and smooth edge cutting.

o Next step is the crimping process which restricts the wastage of material by setting the
radius on the ends of the plate. Crimping enhances the plate rolling roundness and
efficiency

o Plate is heated prior to moving it into the rolling mill in case of hot bending and is not
required if it is cold bending.

o Rolling is a process that needs to be done with much care. Rollers set the plate to the
proper radius before welding. The result should be such that the ends of the plate should
meet at the proper diameter.

o Once the plate is formed into cylinders using rollers, various types of welding can be
used to fabricate the rest of the vessel.in our case we have chosen double V groove butt
welding.

o The vessel is then heat treated

o Finally, magnetic particle testing is done on heavy wall vessel.

 Longitudinal
weld section A

Fabrication of heads and closures

For the vessel under consideration, tori-spherical head is chosen as the top and bottom.
o Stainless steel is selected according to the thickness required for the head

o Then the plate is cut according to the blank diameter

o Plate is then pressed using a die and then it is spanned

Plate
Pressing

o Finally, shell and heads are welded using double V groove butt joint.
8.TECHNICAL DRAWING OF THE DESIGNED VESSEL INCLUDING
WELDING SYMBOL

1/8

60o

1/8

60o

1/8

60o

ALL DIMENSIONS ARE

IN MILLIMETRES
REFERENCES
1. The Distillation Of Glycerine. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://chestofbooks.com/science/chemistry/Distillation-
Principles-And-Processes/The-Distillation-Of-Glycerine.html

2. Metallurgy Matters: The tricky subject of weldability. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.thefabricator.com/article/metalsmaterials/metallurgy-matters-the-tricky-subject-of-
weldability

3. What Is Stainless Steel? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brownmac.com/blog/what-is-stainless-steel

4. Whats the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel? (n.d.). Retrieved from Nema enclosures:
https://www.nemaenclosures.com/blog/304-and-316-stainless-steel/

5. (n.d.). Retrieved from Blackburns metals: http://www.blackburnsmetals.com/products-stainless-rolled.html

6. Understanding ASME UG-45. (n.d.). Retrieved 06 12, 2016, from meyer: http://www.mtm-inc.com/ap-
20110523-understanding-asme-ug-45.html

7. Why do pressure vessels have skirts? (n.d.). Retrieved from Quora: https://www.quora.com/Why-do-
pressure-vessels-have-skirts

8. Vessel supports. (n.d.). Retrieved from msubbu: http://www.msubbu.in/ln/design/I/Wrt-4-Supports.pdf

9. Recovery and Purification of Crude Glycerol. (n.d.). Retrieved from ResearchGate:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260189453_Recovery_and_Purification_of_Crude_Glycero
l_from_Vegetable_Oil_Transesterification_A_Review

10. ASME Section VIII division I

11. ASME Section II part D