Vessel Size Calculator
Enter the design pressure, the inside diameter and length, the material, the weld joint efficiency and corrosion allowance. The calculator gives the shell thickness and plate size by ASME Section VIII.
- Shell thickness
- Plate
- Volume
Use the design pressure, not the working pressure.
t = P R ÷ (S E − 0.6 P) + corrosion allowance. A 1,000 mm carbon steel vessel at 10 bar with spot radiography needs a 4.3 mm shell. With a 3 mm corrosion allowance that is 7.3 mm, so 8 mm plate.
Shell thickness chart
Carbon steel, E 0.85, no allowance. Search for a pressure.
| Pressure | 500 mm | 1,000 mm | 2,000 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 bar | 1.1 | 2.1 | 4.3 |
| 10 bar | 2.1 | 4.3 | 8.6 |
| 16 bar | 3.4 | 6.9 | 13.8 |
| 25 bar | 5.4 | 10.8 | 21.6 |
| 40 bar | 8.7 | 17.4 | 34.8 |
| 63 bar | 13.9 | 27.7 | 55.5 |
mm.
Pressure and wall
1 m carbon steel vessel. Slide the pressure.
The shell is drawn with its wall.
How to size a vessel shell
Pressure to plate. Step through it.
Pressure
Design value.
Heads need their own thickness check too.
Carbon steel, stainless or aluminium
Vessel materials. Compare them.
Common.
Clean.
Light.
Stainless avoids a big corrosion allowance.
Before you build
Vessel checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Pressure vessels need certified design and inspection.
What you get
Vessel sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Shell.
Standard.
Litres.
Units.
Corrosion.
Thickness grows with both pressure and diameter.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How do you calculate pressure vessel thickness?
Use pressure times radius divided by stress times joint efficiency minus point six times pressure.
What is joint efficiency?
A factor for how well welds are inspected, from point seven to one.
What is corrosion allowance?
Extra thickness added so the vessel stays safe as it corrodes.
What material is used for pressure vessels?
Most often SA five sixteen grade seventy carbon steel.
Does this cover the heads?
No. Heads have their own formulas.
Can I build a pressure vessel myself?
It must be designed and inspected to the local code by qualified people.
Safe by design
Start with the right shell thickness and the vessel design has a solid base.
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