Basics of Pressure Vessels: Types, Applications, Design & Manufacturing
- Sunil Rupnar
- Dec 30, 2025
- 3 min read
Introduction to Pressure Vessels
A pressure vessel is a specially engineered container designed to hold liquids or gases at pressures significantly different from atmospheric pressure. These vessels play a critical role in industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, power generation, and chemical processing.
Pressure vessels are used for storage, separation, heat transfer, and chemical reactions, making them indispensable for safe and efficient industrial operations. Due to the risks involved with high-pressure containment, pressure vessels must be designed, manufactured, and tested according to international safety standards.
Griffon Process specializes in the design and manufacturing of ASME-coded pressure vessels, holding ASME U Stamp, R Stamp, and NB Stamp, ensuring compliance with the highest global quality and safety standards.
Types of Pressure Vessels
There are several types of pressure vessels, each engineered for a specific industrial application and operating condition.
1. Air Receiver Tanks
Air receiver tanks are pressure vessels used to store compressed air. They stabilize air pressure, improve compressor efficiency, and power pneumatic tools in factories and workshops.
2. Storage Tanks
Storage tanks are used to store liquids or gases under pressure, such as crude oil, natural gas, chemicals, and industrial fluids. These pressure vessels are widely used in the oil & gas and petrochemical sectors.
3. Separators
Separators are pressure vessels designed to separate oil, gas, and water from production streams. They are essential equipment in upstream oil and gas operations.
4. Distillation Columns
Distillation columns are tall pressure vessels used to separate liquid mixtures based on boiling points. They are extensively used in chemical plants, refineries, and petrochemical industries.
5. Reactors
Reactors are heavy-duty pressure vessels where chemical reactions occur under controlled pressure and temperature. These vessels may include agitators, coils, or internal baffles.
6. Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers are pressure vessels that transfer heat between two fluids without mixing them. They are commonly used in HVAC systems, chemical processing, refrigeration, and power plants.
Shapes of Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels are available in different shapes, selected based on pressure requirements, space availability, and cost considerations.
Cylindrical Pressure Vessels
The most commonly used shape, consisting of a cylindrical shell with end caps. Ideal for high-pressure storage and processing.
Spherical Pressure Vessels
Best suited for very high-pressure applications, offering uniform stress distribution, though more expensive to manufacture.
Ellipsoidal Pressure Vessels
Feature curved heads that reduce stress concentration, commonly used in transportation and storage.
Torispherical Pressure Vessels
Widely used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries due to excellent strength-to-cost balance.
Conical Pressure Vessels
Used where material discharge, mixing, or flow control is required, especially in food and chemical industries.
Vessel Heads Used in Pressure Vessels
Vessel heads close the ends of pressure vessels and significantly impact strength and pressure handling capability.
Flat Heads – Simple design, used for low-pressure applications
Ellipsoidal Heads – Better stress distribution for medium to high pressure
Torispherical Heads – Common in industrial pressure vessels
Hemispherical Heads – Best for high-pressure applications due to uniform stress distribution
Design and Manufacturing of Pressure Vessels
The design and manufacture of pressure vessels must strictly comply with international standards such as:
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)
API Standards
TEMA Standards
Key design considerations include:
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP)
Operating temperature
Material selection
Corrosion allowance
Type of fluid or gas
High-quality materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and exotic alloys are used depending on application requirements. Precision welding, non-destructive testing (NDT), hydrotesting, and quality inspections ensure long-term reliability and safety.
Applications of Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels are widely used in:
Oil & gas processing plants
Chemical and petrochemical industries
Power generation plants
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Food & beverage processing
HVAC and refrigeration systems
Conclusion
Pressure vessels are a critical component of modern industrial infrastructure. Their safe design and manufacturing require deep engineering expertise, strict adherence to standards, and advanced fabrication capabilities.
With ASME U Stamp, R Stamp, and NB Stamp certifications, Griffon Process delivers custom-engineered pressure vessels that meet global safety and performance benchmarks. From air receiver tanks to large-scale distillation columns, Griffon Process offers reliable, high-quality solutions tailored to diverse industrial needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a pressure vessel?
A pressure vessel is a container designed to safely hold liquids or gases at pressures different from atmospheric pressure. They are essential in industries such as oil & gas, chemicals, and power generation.
What are the types of pressure vessels?
Pressure vessels are classified into horizontal, vertical, and spherical types, depending on space, pressure, and application requirements.
What materials are used in pressure vessels?
Common materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and composite materials, selected based on strength, corrosion resistance, and temperature tolerance.
What are the main applications of pressure vessels?
Applications include storage tanks, reactors, boilers, heat exchangers, separators, and fermentation vessels across multiple industries.
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