Introduction to Pressure Vessel Safety Awareness Tutorial

Pressure Vessel Basics

A Pressure vessel is considered a closed container that has a different pressure inside than what is on the outside of the pressure vessel. Example is a container that has a lower pressure than outside the container is a pressure vessel under vacuum. Another example is a container that a pressure inside that is greater than the pressure outside.

List of Examples:

• A Thermos that has a Hot Beverage inside.
• An Air Tank.
• Sode Can or Soda Bottle.
• A Beer Can.
• Ballons

Effects of Pressure and Force on a Pressure Vessel

When a container is pressurized then pressure is exerted against the walls of the vessel. Pressure is always normal [perpendicular] to the surface regardless of the shape.

The force exerted on the surface bows the surface outward. This is why pre ssure vessels tend to be round. In fact, an ideal pressure vessel is a sphere.

There are three-types of pressure vessels: Thin Wall, Normal Walled and Thick Walled. These characteristics describe the thickness of the pressure vessel.

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