What Are Pressure Vessels? Understanding Their Design, Types, and Industrial Uses

Sunil Rupnar
Nov 10
3 min read

Introduction

In modern industrial plants, pressure vessels play a crucial role in storing and handling gases or liquids under high pressure. Whether it’s a chemical processing unit, oil refinery, or food production plant, pressure vessels ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability in high-pressure environments.

At Griffon Process Equipments LLP, we specialize in pressure vessel design and fabrication, providing custom-engineered solutions to meet diverse industry needs — from steel fabrication and piping systems to storage tanks and heavy structural projects.

What Is a Pressure Vessel?

A pressure vessel is a specially engineered container designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure significantly different from the ambient pressure. These vessels are built using high-grade steel and undergo stringent testing to ensure safety and compliance with international standards such as ASME, ISO, and Indian Boiler Regulations (IBR).

Key Components of a Pressure Vessel

Shell – The main cylindrical body that holds pressure.
Heads – The end caps or closures on both sides (hemispherical, elliptical, or flat).
Nozzles – Openings for inlet, outlet, and instrumentation connections.
Supports – Structural elements to mount the vessel safely.
Manways – Access ports for inspection and cleaning.

Design Considerations for Pressure Vessels

Designing a safe and efficient pressure vessel involves precision and compliance. Key factors include:

Operating Pressure and Temperature
Material Selection (Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel)
Weld Joint Efficiency
Corrosion Allowance
Stress Analysis
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Compliance with ASME & ISO Codes

At Griffon Process, our design engineers use advanced simulation tools and testing protocols to ensure structural integrity and long-term performance.

Types of Pressure Vessels

Pressure vessels can be categorized based on shape, function, and industry application.

1. Storage Vessels

Used for storing compressed gases or liquids such as LPG, ammonia, or nitrogen.➡ Common in Oil & Gas, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical plants.

2. Heat Exchangers

Used to transfer heat between two or more fluids under pressure.➡ Widely used in Refineries, Power Plants, and HVAC Systems.

3. Process Vessels

Handle specific chemical or mechanical processes like mixing, separation, or distillation.➡ Used in Food & Beverage, Dairy, Chemical, and Pharma Industries.

4. Boilers & Reactors

Designed for heat generation or chemical reactions under pressure.➡ Key to Energy, Textile, and Petrochemical industries.

Industrial Uses of Pressure Vessels

Pressure vessels are indispensable across multiple industries:

Industry	Applications
Oil & Gas	LPG tanks, separators, scrubbers, and condensate storage
Chemical	Reactors, storage vessels, and heat exchangers
Pharmaceutical	Sterile storage, mixing, and filtration systems
Food & Beverage	Storage tanks for dairy, beverages, and fermentation
Power Generation	Boilers, condensers, and steam drums
Water Treatment	Filtration vessels and pressure sand filters
Steel & Fabrication	Custom-built structures and high-pressure piping

Why Choose Griffon Process for Pressure Vessel Fabrication

At Griffon Process Equipments LLP, we deliver precision-engineered pressure vessels with:

✅ In-house design and fabrication capabilities
✅ Custom-built solutions for varied pressures and capacities
✅ High-quality materials and certified welding processes
✅ Advanced NDT and Hydro Testing
✅ Timely project delivery and site installation support

We also offer steel structure fabrication, storage tank fabrication, piping systems, and industrial plant structures, ensuring end-to-end fabrication excellence for clients across India and abroad.

Conclusion

Pressure vessels are not just containers — they are critical components that ensure operational safety and process efficiency across industries. A well-designed and fabricated vessel can dramatically improve plant reliability and longevity.

If your business demands precision, safety, and durability, Griffon Process Equipments LLP is your trusted fabrication partner.