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The chemical reactor shown below has a cover that is held in place by a series of bolts
Chapter 3, Problem 3.50(choose chapter or problem)
The chemical reactor shown below has a cover that is held in place by a series of bolts. The cover is made of stainless steel SG 8:0, is 3 inches thick, has a diameter of 24 inches, and covers and seals an opening 20 inches in diameter. During turnaround, when the reactor is taken out of service for cleaning and repair, the cover was removed by an operator who thought the reactor had been depressurized using a standard venting procedure. However, the pressure gauge had been damaged in an earlier process upset (the reactor pressure had exceeded the upper limit of the gauge), and instead of being depressurized completely, the vessel was under a gauge pressure of 30 psi. BOURDON GAUGE 3 in. 20 in. 24 in. BOLTS COVER REACTOR (a) What force lbf were the bolts exerting on the cover before they were removed? (Hint: Dont forget that a pressure is exerted on the top of the cover by the atmosphere.) What happened when the last bolt was removed by the operator? Justify your prediction by estimating the initial acceleration of the cover upon removal of the last bolt. (b) Propose an alteration in the turnaround procedure to prevent recurrence of an incident of this kind.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
The chemical reactor shown below has a cover that is held in place by a series of bolts. The cover is made of stainless steel SG 8:0, is 3 inches thick, has a diameter of 24 inches, and covers and seals an opening 20 inches in diameter. During turnaround, when the reactor is taken out of service for cleaning and repair, the cover was removed by an operator who thought the reactor had been depressurized using a standard venting procedure. However, the pressure gauge had been damaged in an earlier process upset (the reactor pressure had exceeded the upper limit of the gauge), and instead of being depressurized completely, the vessel was under a gauge pressure of 30 psi. BOURDON GAUGE 3 in. 20 in. 24 in. BOLTS COVER REACTOR (a) What force lbf were the bolts exerting on the cover before they were removed? (Hint: Dont forget that a pressure is exerted on the top of the cover by the atmosphere.) What happened when the last bolt was removed by the operator? Justify your prediction by estimating the initial acceleration of the cover upon removal of the last bolt. (b) Propose an alteration in the turnaround procedure to prevent recurrence of an incident of this kind.
ANSWER:Step 1 of 4
(a)
The diameter of the head of the reactor is 
The calculation of mass of the head with its volume and density is given as below;
Next, calculate the weight with the help of acceleration due to gravity.
