Drukvat

Drukvat (Dutch for pressure vessel) is a sealed container designed to hold gases or liquids at pressures substantially different from ambient atmospheric pressure. They are used to store, process, or transfer media under pressure and can range from small cylinders to large industrial installations. Designs are governed by safety codes due to the potential energy stored.

Common geometries include cylindrical shells with hemispherical or ellipsoidal end caps, as well as spherical vessels. Materials are typically carbon steel or stainless steel; high-temperature or corrosive applications may use alloy steels or composite materials. Many vessels are insulated for energy efficiency.

Pressure vessels are designed for specified maximum allowable working pressure and temperature. Safety devices (relief valves, rupture disks) protect against overpressure. In the EU, PED 2014/68/EU governs design, manufacture, and conformity assessment. In the US, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) provides construction and inspection requirements. Other standards include EN 13445 and EN 13480 for European practice. Design calculations address internal pressure, external loads, corrosion allowance, manufacturing tolerances, and inspection plans.

Fabrication typically involves welding and forming, followed by non-destructive testing such as radiography, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle, or liquid penetrant testing, and hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure testing before service.

Applications span chemical processing, oil and gas, power generation, water treatment, and food and pharmaceutical industries. They must be properly sized and certified to minimize risk of leaks, ruptures, or explosions.