Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels and ASME RTP-1–Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Corrosion-Resistance Equipment

Abstract This chapter is intended primarily for engineers and designers whose experience with vessels is primarily with metal equipment. Those having experience with fiberglass equipment but not with Section X or RTP-1 will also find this chapter useful. Section X is part of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and governs vessels constructed of thermosetting resin reinforced with glass fibers and vessels reinforced with carbon or aramid fibers. The chapter is intended to serve as a manual on the use of Section X and RTP-1. The pressure scope of Section X is 15 psig to 15,000 psig internal pressure. RTP-1 covers tanks and vessels with design pressures of 0–5 psig. The chapter begins with a discussion on the basics of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) technology used in RTP-1 and Section X that may not be familiar to engineers and designers of metal vessels. It describes the resins and reinforcing fibers included in RTP-1 and Section X. The chapter then discusses the following processes used to manufacture RTP-1 and Section X vessels: contact molding, bag molding, centrifugal casting, and filament winding. The joining of vessel parts made by these methods is also discussed. The chapter describes ways to treat the two factors that complicate the stress analysis of FRP vessels. The scope of Section X and RTP-1 is covered next. It then looks at the design qualification of Section X, Class I, Class II, Class III, and RTP-1 vessels. In addition, it presents an example of a Section X Design Specification and its calculations as well as RTP-1 design examples. The chapter closes with a discussion on the quality assurance requirements of Section X and RTP-1.