Recommendations for design and manufacturing of FRP vessels to be

considered for suppliers selection:

1. Calculation note:

2.

It must be done following whether EN 13121-3 or ASME RTP-1 standard

Safety factors must be calculated according to the design code. This calculation
must be included in the calculation note. In case the client required a minimum
safety factor, it will be used the maximum among this value and the value
obtained according to the design code.
The ply sequence of the laminate must be defined in the calculation note for each
part of the vessel. Calculation of mechanical properties for each part must be
included on the calculation note, according to the defined ply sequence.
Calculation must be done considering as a minimum the next loads:
o Own weight of the vessel
o Weight of the liquid and internals contained on the vessel, plus weight of
any element supported on it
o Weight of a person walking on top of the vessel for maintenance operation
(minimum a load of 150 Kg on a circle with 300 mm diameter must be
considered according to international standards)
o Internal pressure and hydrostatic pressure
o External pressure or vacuum
o Wind loads (even considering the external pressure applied by the wind
onto the vessel)
o Seismic loads (considering the effect of an earthquake over the solid parts
(impulsive mass) and the liquid parts (sloshing mass))
The calculation note must include the verification of the local loads transferred by
the lifting lugs when handling the vessel for transport or erection
The anchor bolts must also be verified in the calculation note. It must also detail
the loads transferred to the foundations, so it will be possible calculating the
concrete or steel structures required for supporting the vessel
Calculation of all the flanges and blind flanges must also be included in the
calculation note
Calculation of all the reinforcing pads required for every nozzle must be included in
the calculation note
Peel effects on every nozzle must be verified (and counteracted if required) in the
calculation for every nozzle installed on the vessel
Finally, it is recommended that an independent third party verifies and approves
the calculation note

Quality control during manufacturing:

A complete quality control plan must be agreed between the client and the supplier before
starting the manufacturing. It must include the next questions:

Verification of the raw materials used for manufacturing the vessel. A quality
certificate of these materials will be required for every batch used.
Visual inspection made according to the acceptance criteria established by the
design code
Dimensional check of the vessel, applying the acceptance criteria established by
the design code

Barcol hardness measurement of the laminate. Acceptance criteria according to

design code
Acetone test for verifying the correct polymerization of the resin
Thickness measurement of the laminates. Acceptance criteria according to design
code
Verification of the weight ratio resin/fiberglass on specimens obtained from cutouts for nozzles. Acceptance criteria according to design code
Tests for measuring the tensile and flexural strength and tensile and flexural
modulus in specimens obtained from cut-outs for nozzles. The values obtained
must be higher than the values applied in the calculation note for the same
laminate.
In case a thermoplastic liner is used, verification of the absence of pores in the
thermoplastic welds through a spark test performed on 100 % of the parts that are
accessible
For pressure vessels, performance of a pressure test at minimum 1,43 x design
pressure during an hour minimum
For atmospheric tanks, performance of an hydrostatic test for verifying the water
tightness
For critical vessels, it is recommended performing an acoustic emission test during
the pressure / hydrostatic test.
In case the tank is submitted to vacuum, performance of a vacuum test for
verifying its strength against buckling
It is recommended that a third party inspector follows the manufacturing process,
performing some visits to witness the main points of the quality control plan
When the manufacturing is made in Europe, it is also recommended that the
laminators and thermoplastic welders were qualified by an independent third
party (this qualification is similar to the qualification required for steel welders)