Pressure Vessels

Pressure vessels are closed structures that contain liquids or gases under pressure. Examples include spherical water storage tanks, compressed air cylinders, inflated balloons, steam boilers, chambers of engines, reservoirs etc,. Pressure vessels may be termed as thick or thin depending upon the ratio of wall thickness to the mean radius. If the ratio between wall thickness to mean radius is less than 1 to 15, then the vessel is considered as thin pressure vessel. If the ratio between wall thickness to mean radius is more than 1 to 15, then the vessel is considered as thick pressure vessel. In thin pressure vessels the radial stresses are negligible. A tank of spherical shape is the ideal container for restating internal pressure. Thick cylinders are the cylindrical vessels containing fluid under pressure and whose wall thickness is not small. Usually the ratio between wall thicknesses to mean radius is more than 1 to 15.