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API 510 Preparatory Class

Lesson 4
Hydrostatic Head Pressure
What is hydrostatic head pressure? Lets examine the words
to better understand the meaning of hydrostatic.

Hydro meaning liquid
Static meaning unchanging.
Pressure is a force exerted over an area.
Which of leads us to the following;
It is a pressure that is generated by the weight of the liquid
due to gravity. The taller the height of a liquid column the
greater the force, which is expressed as pounds per square
inch (psi) for our purposes. The Hydro (liquid) of interest on
the exam is water, since it is the primary liquid we use for
Hydrostatic testing. Other liquids can be and are used.
Hydrostatic Head of Water
Overview
The hydrostatic head of water is part of our everyday lives.
For example the water tower that supplies your home uses
the principle of Hydrostatic Head or gravity to push the
water into your home and out of your faucets. Lets have a
look at a graphic of a water tower that will detail this
principle.
Hydrostatic Head of Water
A Common Thing
Hydrostatic Head of a Water Tower
140 x 0.433 = 60.6 psig and 100 x 0.433 = 43.3 psig
What would be the hydrostatic head pressure if a gage were
inserted into the side of the tower at the 110 elevation when
the tower was completely full? Hint, the darker area is
exerting the pressure.
Class Quiz
Hydrostatic Head of Water
The height of the water above the point causes the pressure.
140 - 110 = 30 therefore 30 x 0.433 = 12.99 psi
Solution
Hydrostatic Head of Water
The hydrostatic head of water is equal to 0.433 psi per
vertical foot above the point where the pressure will
measured. For example the hydrostatic head of water at a
point in a vessel with 10 feet of water above it is calculated
by multiplying 10 x 0.433 psi.

10 x 0.433 = 4.33 psi

The 4.33 psi is being exerted totally by the weight of the
water. No other external pressure having been applied. If an
external source of pressure is applied it would be added to
the hydrostatic head pressure of the water at any given point
in the vessel. More on this later.
Hydrostatic Head of Water
Basic Principle
Now for a pressure vessel. No external pressure, filled with
water only. 0 psi at top, the bottom is 100 x 0.433 = 43.3 psi
Hydrostatic Head of Water
0 psi
43.3
psi
100 Feet
External pressure of 100 psi is now applied resulting in a gage
pressure at the bottom of 143.3 psi. The 43.3 psi is static,
never changing.
Hydrostatic Head of Water
100
psi
143.3
psi
100 Feet
What would be the pressure at the bottom if an external
pressure of 235 psi were applied ?
Class Quiz
Hydrostatic Head of Water
235
psi
?
100 Feet
235 + 43.3 = 278.3 psi
Solution
235
psi
278.3
psi
100 Feet
From these simple water tower and pressure vessel examples
the following can be understood and applied to a pressure
vessel. For a pressure vessel the MAWP is always measured
at the top of a vessel in its normal operating position. Here are
the issues on the exam that must be understood to work H.H.
problems that might be given.

Case 1: How do you determine hydrostatic head based on a
given elevation?
Case 2: When do you add the hydrostatic head pressure in
vessel calculations?
Case 3: When do you subtract the hydrostatic head pressure in
vessel calculations?
Hydrostatic Head of Water
Case 1: To determine hydrostatic head based on an
elevation from a stated problem it must be understood that
elevations are normally taken from the ground level to a
vessels very top. You must subtract the Given elevation
from theTotal elevation to determine vertical feet of
hydrostatic head above the given elevation.
Example: A vessel has an elevation of 18 feet and is
mounted on a 3 foot base. What is the hydrostatic head
pressure of water at the 11 foot elevation which is located at
the bottom of the top shell course?
Hydrostatic Head of Water
Remember it is the number of vertical feet above the given
elevation in question which causes the hydrostatic head at
that point. To find the hydrostatic head you must subtract the
elevation of the Given point from the Total elevation given for
the vessel.

18' feet total
-11' desired point
7' total hydrostatic head

Hydrostatic head pressure at 11' elevation is:
7 x 0.433psi = 3.03 psi



Static Head of Water
Case 2: Hydrostatic head at a point in a vessel must be
added to the pressure used (normally vessel MAWP) when
calculating the required thickness of the vessel component
at that elevation.
Example: Determine the required thickness of the shell
course in Case 1. The vessel's MAWP (Always measured at
the top in the normal operating position) is 100 psi. The
following variables apply:
Givens:
t = ? Circumferential stress from UG-27(c)(1)
P = 100 psi + Hydrostatic Head
S = 15,000 psi
E = 1.0
R = 20"
Static Head of Water
Since the bottom of this shell course is at the 11 foot
elevation the pressure it will see is 100 psi + the hydrostatic
head.
100 + 3.03 = 103.03 psi
Also our basic formula becomes;

Static Head of Water
" 1379 .
18 . 14938
20606
) 03 . 103 6 . 0 ( ) 0 . 1 000 , 15 (
20 03 . 103

x X x
x
t
.) . ( 6 . 0
.) . (
H H P SE
R H H P
t

-
Case 3 You must subtract hydrostatic head pressure when
determining the MAWP of a vessel. If given a vessel of
multiple parts and the MAWP for each of the parts, the
MAWP of the entire vessel is determined by subtracting the
hydrostatic head pressure at the bottom of each part to find
the part which limits the MAWP of the vessel.

Example: A vessel has an elevation of 40 feet including a 4
foot base. The engineer has calculated the following parts
MAWP to the bottom of each part based on each part's
minimum thickness and corroded diameter. Determine the
MAWP of the vessel as measured at the top.
Static Head of Water
Calculated Part MAWP at the bottom of:

Top Shell Course 28' Elev. 406.5 psi
Middle Shell Course 16.5' Elev. 410.3 psi
Bottom Shell Course 4' Elev. 422.8 psi

Bottom of top shell course:

40.0' elev.
-28.0' elev.
12.0' of hydrostatic head
Static Head of Water
12' x 0.433 psi = 5.196 psi of Static

Bottom of the middle shell course:
40.0' elev.
-16.5' elev.
23.5' of hydrostatic head

23.5' x 0.433 psi = 10.175 psi of
Hdrostatic Head
Static Head of Water
Bottom of bottom shell course:
40.0' elev.
-4.0' elev.
36.0' of hydrostatic head

36' x 0.433 psi = 15.588 psi of
Hydrostatic Head
Static Head of Water
The final step in determining the MAWP of the vessel at its
top is to subtract the hydrostatic head of water from each of
the calculated Part MAWPs. The lowest pressure will be the
maximum gauge pressure permitted at the top of the vessel.

Bottom of top shell course 406.5 - 5.196 = 401.3 psi
Bottom of mid shell course 410.3 - 10.175 = 400.125 psi
Bottom of btm. shell course 422.8 - 15.588 = 407.212 psi


Static Head of Water
Therefore the bottom of the middle shell courses MAWP
limits the pressure at the top and, determines the MAWP of
the vessel.
Hydrostatic Head of Water
The MAWP of the vessel is 400.125 psi
One thing to remember is this pressure is static. In our
example the if the applied external pressure at the top were
raised above 400.125 psi, then down at the 16.5 elevation
the gage would exceed that shell courses MAWP of 410.3.
Hydrostatic Head of Water
Class Quiz
Hydrostatic Head of Water
What would be the pressure at 16.5 if the top read 410 psi
instead of 400.125 ?
Solution
Hydrostatic Head of Water
410 + 10.175 = 420.175
Since our part is only good for 410.3 we have now exceeded
this shell courses MAWP. Not a good thing!
Hydrostatic Head of Water
One last example using a vessel which is horizontal, just to
reinforce the concept that it is the Vertical Height that must
be considered. The 6.928 psi total H.H. must be considered
at the bottom when calculating the sump head.
Class Quiz
Hydrostatic Head of Water
What would be the hydrostatic pressure exerted at each
point in the vessel below?
Solution
Bottom of top chamber 3 x 0.433 = 1.299 psi
Bottom of main shell 13 x 0.433 = 5.629 psi
Total H.H. = 6.928 psi
One final thing the determination of H.H. for two formed
heads, Hemispherical and Ellipsoidal.
Hemispherical Head
For this example we will use a hemispherical head that has
an inside diameter of 48 inches which means it has a radius
of 24 inches. The radius is the depth of the hemispherical
head
Depth of a Hemi and Ellipsoidal and
Hydrostatic Head of Water
An ellipsoidal head's I. D. will be the same as the shell's. The
inside diameter of an ellipsoidal head is also its major axis.
This fact is the basis of finding the depth of a 2 to 1 ellipsoidal
head. Notice that we are strictly talking about 2 to 1 ellipsoidal
heads. The 2 to 1 refers to the ratio of the Major Axis to the
Minor Axis of an ellipse which is used to form the head.
Standard 2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head
Of course only half of the Minor Axis is used for the head.
2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head
Now add the 2 inch flange to the dish.
2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head
Therefore, our 2 to 1 Ellipsoidal head has a depth of 14
inches. Hint: To find the depth of a 2 to 1 ellipsoidal head
divide the major axis by 4. In our example 48/4 = 12 then
add the 2 flange.
Ellipsoidal

Converting to feet: 18" divided by 12 =

1.5' x 0.433 psi = 0.6495 psi

Hemispherical

Converting to feet. 32" divided by 12 =

2.666' x 0.433 psi = 1.1543 psi

2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head
1. The depth of a 2 to 1 ellipsoidal head having a diameter of
64 inches and a 1-1/2 flange is;

a. 33 -1/2
b. 16 -1/2
c. 17-1/2

2. What is the depth of a hemispherical head attached to a
vessel shell that has inside diameter of 96 with an internal
fit up ?
a. 96
b. 48
c. 32

Class Quiz
Depth of Heads
1. The depth of a 2 to 1 ellipsoidal head having a diameter of
64 inches and a 1-1/2 flange is;

c. 17-1/2 (64/4 = 16 + 1-1/2 + 17-1/2)

2. What is the depth of a hemispherical head attached to a
vessel shell that has inside diameter of 96 with an internal
fit up ?
b. 48 (96/2 = 48)

Solution
This one is over..

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