API 510 Preparatory Class

Lesson 4
Hydrostatic Head Pressure
 Hydrostatic Head of Water
Overview

What is hydrostatic head pressure? Let’s examine the words

to better understand the meaning.
• 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 used for
Hydrostatic testing. Other liquids can be and are used.
 Hydrostatic Head of Water
A Common Thing

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. Here is a
graphic of a water tower that will detail this principle.
 Hydrostatic Head of a Water Tower
140’ x 0.433 = 60.6 psig and 100’ x 0.433 = 43.3 psig
 Class Quiz
Hydrostatic Head of Water
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 height above the
gage is exerting the pressure.
 Solution
Hydrostatic Head of Water
The height of the water above the gage causes the pressure.
140’ - 110’ = 30’ therefore 30’ x 0.433 = 12.99 psi
 Hydrostatic Head of Water
Basic Principle

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
Now for a pressure vessel filled with water. No external
pressure. 0 psi at top, the bottom is 100 feet x 0.433 = 43.3 psi

0 psi

100 Feet

43.3
psi
 Hydrostatic Head of Water
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.
100
psi

100 Feet

143.3
psi
 Class Quiz #10
Hydrostatic Head of Water
1. What would be the pressure at the bottom of this vessel if
an external pressure of 235 psi were applied ?
235
psi

100 Feet

?
 Solution

235 + 43.3 = 278.3 psi

235
psi

100 Feet

278.3
psi
 Hydrostatic Head of Water

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
vessel’s 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?
 Static 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;

( P + H . H .) R
t=
SE - 0.6( P + H . H .)

103.03 x 20 20606
t= = = .1379"
(15,000 x1.0) X (0.6 x103.03) 14938.18
 Static Head of Water

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 part’s
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
12' x 0.433 psi = 5.196 psi of H.H.
We ignored the base height. We are only
interested in the distance from the very
top to the bottom of the top shell course.
 Static Head of Water

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

Hydrostatic Head

Here again we ignore the base being

interested only in the column of water
from the very top to the bottom of the
middle shell course.
 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

Finally from the very top to the bottom of

the bottom shell course.
 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
 Hydrostatic Head of Water

Therefore the bottom of the middle shell course’s MAWP

limits the pressure at the top and, determines the MAWP of
the vessel.

The MAWP of the vessel is 400.125 psi

 Hydrostatic Head of Water
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 course’s MAWP of 410.3.
 Class Quiz #11
Hydrostatic Head of Water

1. 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 course’s MAWP. Not allowed by Code rules!
 Hydrostatic Head of Water
Another 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 # 12
Hydrostatic Head of Water

1. What would be the hydrostatic pressure exerted at each

point in the vessel below?
 Class Quiz #12 Solution
Bottom of top chamber 1.5’ x 0.433 = .6495 psi
Bottom of main shell 7.5’ x 0.433 = 3.2475 psi
Bottom of sump = 8.25’x .433 = 3.5722
Total H.H. = 3.5722 psi
 Depth of a Hemi and Ellipsoidal and
Hydrostatic Head of Water

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
 Standard 2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head

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.
 2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head

Of course only half of the Minor Axis is used for the head.

Now add the flange length to the dish, the flange length with
will be given in exam question. For this example use 2”.
 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.
 2 to 1 Ellipsoidal Head

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

 Class Quiz #13

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 # 13
Solution

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”)
Adding H.H. and Corrosion wall loss in Calculations

Increasing internal or decreasing external dimensions due to

corrosion was introduced in Lesson 2, “Shell and Head
Calculations”. In actual practice Hydrostatic Head would also
need to be considered. The following demonstrates the
principals involved.
Adding H.H. and Corrosion wall loss in Calculations

Example:

A vertical vessel shell course has an MAWP of 200 psi, and

an allowable stress of 14,800 psi. The original inside radius
was 84”. The nameplate is stamped RT1 . The shell has
corroded down to 1.28 inches. Its original t was 1.375".

There exists 21.9964 psi H.H. at the bottom of the shell

course.

What is its current calculated minimum thickness of this shell

course in accordance with rules of Section VIII Division 1
considering both corrosion and hydrostatic head?
Adding H.H. and Corrosion wall loss in Calculations

200 psi

50.8 feet

50.8 x .433 =
21.99 round up =
22 psi
t req. = ?"
Corroded Inside
Radius 84 + wall loss
 PR
Basic Formula: UG-27 ( c )(1) t=
SE - 0.6 P
Modified to consider Hydrostatic Head and increased radius due to internal
corrosion.
(P + H.H.) (R + corrosion )
Givens: t=
SE - 0.6 (P + H.H.)
t =?
P = 200
S = 14,800 psi
E = 1.0 RT 1
R = 84” = 84’ + (1.375-1.28) = 84.095”
H.H.= 21.9964 rounded to 22 psi

(200 + 22) (84 + .095) (222) (84.095)

t= = =
(14,800)(1.0) - (0.6) (200 + 22) (14,800)(1.0) - (0.6) (222)

18669.09 18669.09
= = 1.273"
14,800- 133.2 14,666.8
Adding H.H. and Corrosion wall loss in Calculations

Its present thickness is 1.28” and its minimum calculated

thickness is 1.273, very close to repair or retire.