1982. Prestressed concrete pressure vessels for non-nuclear thermal processes. (PDF)

Interest in non-nuclear prestressed concrete pressure vessels (PCPVs) began to develop in the mid-1970s, prompted by the increasing development of large-scale projects for coal conversion to gas and oil. Since the record of prestressed concrete pressure vessels (PCRVs) in the nuclear field has been excellent, the experience thus gained provides a sound starting point for PCPVs.

The Task Group report on PCRVs issued during the FIP Congress in London (1978) is a comprehensive document describing the state of the art pertaining to the philosophy, design and construction of these structures. In view of the similarity in many areas between prestressed concrete reactor vessels for nuclear applications and non-nuclear pressure vessels, the work of this Task Group was able to take advantage of the PCRV report. Mr Philip Y. Chow, of T. Y. Lin International, assumed the chairmanship of the new Task Group for PCPVs in London in 1978 and he, together with members of his Task Group, has produced this valuable State of the Art Report. The report benefited from Mr Chow’s membership, as well as the membership of the editorial board of his Task Group on the joint ACI–ASME Committee for Prestressed Concrete Pressure Vessels.

The report classifies PCPVs into groups according to the primary requirements of temperature and pressure, due to the vast range of PCPV types required to accommodate the multiplicity of purposes and functions in non-nuclear industries. Sections on classification, materials, safety considerations, design and analysis, fabrication and construction, acceptance testing, operations and in-service surveillance, and cost considerations are discussed in the report. Lists of modern pressure vessels, references, and a bibliography are included as appendices to the report.

This report is an important step in expanding the potential for prestressed concrete pressure vessels for non-nuclear thermal processes and applications.