FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE WATER BUFFER DRUM

Abstract

Composite materials offer many advantages for to many industries and developments based on their low density, corrosion resistance, and high strength to weight ratio. In addition, the use of composites allows for more design flexibility for products, the properties to meet specific design requirements, thus promoting better system oriented and cost-effective solutions. However, on a high performance equated basis, the economic incentive to use composite components can often be demonstrated based on their capability to reduce system and life cycle costs. Water buffer drum which is a pressure vessel holds a specified volume of fluid with desired temperature and pressure. Its function is to provide water with certain temperature to equipment facility. For smooth working large number of piping is attached to this. These conditions create critical nozzle loading on the pressure vessel. This paper gives an idea about comparative study between carbon steel and combination of carbon steel and composites. Composites such as Glass fibered reinforced are used for the study. Pressure vessel with a combination of different boundary conditions such as Pressure, Nozzle loading, Wind, Seismic is analyzed for carbon steel and the combination of carbon steel and composites. Various thickness combinations of composite and carbon steel are used for design study. While analyzing water buffer drum components stress induced in various components are compared. By replacing some thickness of carbon steel there will be percent reduction in weight which will save many costs related to the weight of water buffer drum.