2010 SECTION VIII, DIVISION 2
4-113
d) Expanded Connections – A pipe, tube, or forging may be attached to the wall of a vessel by inserting
through an unreinforced opening and expanding into the shell, provided the diameter is not greater than
DN 50 (NPS 2) pipe size. A pipe, tube, or forging not exceeding 150 mm (6 in.) in outside diameter may
be attached to the wall of a vessel by inserting through a reinforced opening and expanding into the
shell. The expanded connection shall be made using one of the following methods:
1) Firmly rolled in and beaded
2) Rolled in, beaded, and seal-welded around the edge of the bead
3) Expanded and flared not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) over the diameter of the hole
4) Rolled, flared, and welded; or
5) Rolled and welded without flaring or beading, provided the ends extend at least 6 mm (0.25 in.), but
no more than 10 mm (0.375 in.), through the shell and the throat of the weld is at least 5 mm
(0.1875 in.), but no more than 8 mm (0.3125 in.).
4.5.3.2 Additional requirements for nozzle connections are as follows.
a) When the tube or pipe does not exceed 38 mm (1.5 in.) in outside diameter, the shell may be chamfered
or recessed to a depth at least equal to the thickness of the tube or pipe and the tube or pipe may be
rolled into place and welded. In no case shall the end of the tube or pipe extend more than 10 mm
(0.375 in.) beyond the inside diameter of the shell.
b) Grooving of shell openings in which tubes and pipe are to be rolled or expanded is permissible.
c) Expanded connections shall not be used as a method of attachment to vessels used for the processing
or storage of flammable and/or noxious gases and liquids unless the connections are seal-welded.
d) Reinforcing plates and saddles attached to the outside of a vessel shall be provided with at least one
vent hole that may be tapped for a preliminary compressed air and soap solution (or equivalent) test for
tightness of welds that seal off the inside of the vessel. These vent holes may be left open or may be
plugged when the vessel is in service. If the holes are plugged, the plugging material used shall not be
capable of sustaining pressure between the reinforcing plate and the vessel wall. Vent holes shall not
be plugged during heat treatment.
4.5.4 Nozzle Neck Minimum Thickness Requirements
4.5.4.1 The minimum nozzle neck thickness for nozzles excluding access openings and openings for
inspection shall be determined for internal and external pressure using paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4, as applicable.
Corrosion allowance and the effects of external forces and moments from supplemental loads shall be
considered in these calculations. The resulting nozzle neck thickness shall not be less than the smaller of the
shell thickness or the thickness given in Table 4.5.2. Corrosion allowance shall be added to the minimum
nozzle neck thickness.
4.5.4.2 The minimum nozzle neck thickness for access openings and openings for inspection shall be
determined for internal and external pressure using paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4. Corrosion allowance shall be
considered in these calculations.
4.5.5 Radial Nozzle in a Cylindrical Shell
4.5.5.1 The procedure to design a radial nozzle in a cylindrical shell subject to pressure loading is shown
below. The parameters used in this design procedure are shown in Figures 4.5.1, 4.5.2, and 4.5.3.
a) STEP 1 – Calculate the limit of reinforcement along the vessel wall:
1) For integrally reinforced nozzles:
min , 2
Reffn
LRtR
⎤
=
⎦
(4.5.3)