User specifications for pressure vessels and technical integrity

K.S. Johnston^I; J.E. Amadi-Echendu^II

^IGraduate School of Technology Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa Keith.johnston@sasol.com
^IIGraduate School of Technology Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa joe.amadi-echendu@up.ac.za

ABSTRACT

Specifications translated from user requirements are prescribed in an attempt to capture and incorporate best practices with regards to the design, fabrication, testing, and operation of pressure vessels. The question as to whether these requirements affect the technical integrity of pressure vessels is often a subjective matter. This paper examines typical user requirement specifications against technical integrity of pressure vessels.
The paper draws on a survey of a convenience sample of practising engineers in a diversified petrochemical company. When compared with failures on selected pressure vessels recorded by Phillips and Warwick, the respondent feedback confirms the user specifications that have the highest impact on technical integrity.

OPSOMMING

Gebruikersbehoeftes word saamgevat in spesifikasies wat lei tot goeie praktyk vir ontwerp, vervaarding, toetsing en bedryf van drukvate. Subjektiwiteit van die gebruikersbehoeftes mag soms die tegniese integriteit van 'n drukvat beinvloed.
Die navorsing maak by wyse van monsterneming gebruik van die kennis van ingenieurs wat werk in 'n gediversifiseerde petrochemiese bedryf.Die terugvoering bevestig dat bogenoemde spesifikasies inderdaad die grootste invloed het op tegniese integriteit.

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REFERENCES

[1] Couper, J.R., Penny, W.R., Fair and Walas S., 2005. Chemical process equipment: Selection and design. 2^nd edition, Gulf Professional Publishing, chapter 1.5.         [ Links ]

[2] Coley Consulting 2007. What is a requirement? www.coleyconsulting.co.uk/require.htm. Accessed on 1 October 2008.         [ Links ]

[3] Mannan, S. 2005. Lees' loss prevention in the process industries. Elsevier, chapter 12.30.         [ Links ]

1 The author was enrolled for an M Eng (Technology Management) in the Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria.