Structural Analysis of a Bi-Gas Gasifier Subjected to Overpressure

摘要

A structural analysis has been made to determine the response due to overpressure of the gasifier in the BI-GAS pilot plant located in Homer City, Pennsylvania. Little data is available on the actual temperatures and pressures which the vessel experiences. Therefore, the calculations were made for a range of possible temperatures and pressures. The purpose of the study was to determine the most likely cause of failure if the gasifier was exposed to a significant overpressure. Results from existing data show that the most probable mode of failure is leakage through the vessel wall. The Bi-Gas gasifier is a well-designed pressure vessel for its design conditions of 650 exp 0 F and 1650 psi. However, it is possible that the gasifier may be subjected to higher temperatures and pressures than expected. Should the gasifier experience a very high overpressure, plastic deformation should occur in the pressure vessel wall at a pressure of approximately 3600 psi. Because the gasifier material is sufficiently ductile and tough, failure of the pressure vessel would probably be due to excess yielding as opposed to a brittle type failure. (ERA citation 07:045564)