Pressure Vessel Design & Fabrication
ASME Section VIII and Section I pressure vessel design, code calculations, fabrication, and field installation — deaerators, steam drums, separators, and custom vessels.
Design and Fabrication Under One Roof
We engineer pressure vessels to ASME Section VIII Division 1 and ASME Section I, producing full code calculations, nozzle reinforcement checks, and fabrication drawings. Our fabrication partners hold the appropriate ASME code stamps, and our engineers stay on the project through hydro test, delivery, and field installation.
Deaerators, Steam Drums, and Separators
Recent work includes complete deaerator design and construction, steam drum replacement, and blowdown separator installation at the Climax Molybdenum plant in Iowa. We handle demolition of the existing vessel, rigging and setting the new vessel inside existing structures, and all piping tie-ins, trim, and relief valve installation.
Fitness for Service and Rerates
For in-service equipment, we perform API 510 inspections support and API 579 fitness-for-service evaluations, wall thickness assessments, and rerate calculations — extending vessel life where replacement is not yet warranted.
Common questions about Pressure Vessels
What ASME code governs pressure vessel fabrication?
Pressure vessels are fabricated to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 1 for most industrial applications. Steam drums and boiler pressure parts are governed by ASME Section I. Grey Engineering designs to both codes, producing full code calculations, nozzle reinforcement checks, and fabrication drawings stamped by a licensed PE.
What is a deaerator and why does it need to be replaced?
A deaerator is a pressure vessel used in steam plant feedwater systems to remove dissolved oxygen and other non-condensable gases from boiler feedwater, preventing corrosion in boilers and steam drums. Deaerators are replaced when corrosion, erosion, or fatigue has compromised the vessel shell or internals beyond repair, or when a capacity upgrade is required. Grey Engineering handles complete deaerator design, fabrication, and field installation including all piping tie-ins.
Can you replace a pressure vessel inside an operating plant?
Yes. Grey Engineering Enterprises specializes in vessel replacement inside congested, operating industrial facilities. We use 3D laser scanning to capture the existing installation envelope, engineer the replacement vessel to fit precisely, and manage rigging and setting within compressed outage windows — minimizing production downtime.
What is an API 579 fitness-for-service evaluation?
An API 579 fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluation is an engineering assessment that determines whether a pressure vessel or piping component with a known flaw, corrosion, or damage is safe to continue operating. Grey Engineering performs FFS evaluations including wall thickness assessments and rerate calculations to extend equipment life where replacement is not yet warranted.