Finite Element Analysis of Composite Reactor Pressure Vessel

Author

Tejas Vasant Mhetre

Graduation Semester and Year

2018

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Andrey Beyle

Abstract

Reactor Pressure Vessel is the container designed to hold gases or liquids above atmospheric pressure. The focus of this study is to develop Finite Element Model to predict the performance of composite reactor pressure vessel subjected to extreme pressure and temperature and compare with pressure vessel manufactured using conventional materials. In the first part of the study, a pressure vessel system with Carbon steel material under design pressure and temperature have been analyzed for stresses, deformation and Safety Factor. Various loading cases have been discussed during the analysis of pressure vessel. Composite materials have been a suitable replacement to the conventional material due to high strength to weight ratio, Better chemical resistance, and Good Insulating properties. In the Second part of this study, finite element analysis of internally pressurized cylindrical vessel with closed ends metallic liner overwrapped with composite has been presented. The structure was examined using various composite materials like E-glass, S-glass and Carbon Fibre or combination of these materials placed with different ply angles under same boundary conditions. It was observed that pressure vessel with metallic liner and composite wrapping is safer and lighter than carbon steel under applied loading conditions.

Keywords

Reactor pressure vessel, Finite element analysis, Composites, ANSYS

Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

Recommended Citation

Mhetre, Tejas Vasant, "Finite Element Analysis of Composite Reactor Pressure Vessel" (2018). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses. 859.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/mechaerospace_theses/859