How to avoid common pitfalls in pressure vessel design

I. Strictly Adhere to Current Standards and Specifications

1. Comply with the Latest Standard Requirements: Design drawings must undergo multi-level signature verification through design, checking, review, and approval. Strict adherence to current specifications such as GB/T150-2024 and TSG21 is mandatory; unauthorized relaxation of standards is prohibited.

2. Select Appropriate Specifications for Matching the Scenario: Simple pressure vessels within the compliance scope do not require annual registration or inspection. Simplified procedures can be followed according to simple pressure vessel specifications, avoiding the need to apply general pressure vessel management requirements and increase costs.

II. Conduct Targeted Verification of Parameters and Materials

1. Leave Sufficient Margin in Parameter Design: The design pressure should be 1.1 to 1.2 times the highest working pressure, taking into account the effects of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on material strength, while also considering fatigue strength requirements during pressure fluctuations to avoid insufficient margin.

2. Select Materials as Needed, Avoid Blindly Increasing Thickness: Match materials based on the corrosiveness and temperature characteristics of the medium. For scenarios with large wall thicknesses, prioritize low-alloy steel rather than simply increasing the thickness of carbon steel plates to control costs. 

III. Optimizing Structural Design Details

1. Avoiding Stress Concentration Defects
Smooth transitions are implemented at abrupt changes in structural shape. Dimensioning is done on the correct reference plane, closed dimension chains are avoided, and pipe markings avoid easily misread letters to ensure machining accuracy.

2. Matching Accessories to Operating Conditions
Flanges, safety valves, and other accessories are strictly matched to media, pressure, and temperature parameters. For highly corrosive media, internal anti-corrosion treatment is applied. Thicker-walled designs are used for frequently fluctuating operating conditions. Dual safety valve configurations are selected for hazardous media.

IV. Strengthening Design Drawing Verification

After design completion, the drawings are reviewed against a list of common errors. Special attention is paid to checking whether dimensioning, material selection, and pressure parameters meet requirements. Errors and omissions in dimensioning are identified early to avoid rework and scrap after machining.