LTA and Dryer Cylinders
Applying Mandatory Appendix 32
Dryer cylinders (colloquially called “dryer cans”) used in the drying of pulp, paper, and tissue products are
heated with steam utilizing various syphon configurations to evacuate the condensate, and often are
equipped with dryer bars to induce turbulence in the condensate layer promoting better heat transfer.
Localized shell damage and shell grooving can occur for a variety of reasons but two common modes of
grooving are - metal debris (anything from a broken fastener to a tool left in the can) becoming trapped
under the syphon shoe and sacrificially wearing a groove in the can; and a condition causing the shoe itself
(in the case of ductile feet) to wear into the can. Localized shell damage (whether purposeful or not) can
occur in similar fashion from “crashed” internal parts or holes eroding (old syphon holes, etc.).
A common question is when/how Mandatory Appendix 32 - Local Thin Areas in Cylindrical Shells and in
Spherical Segments of Shell can be applied to dryer cylinders when they have thin areas that do not meet
the minimum required thickness. The following will attempt to give some clarity to that question.
UG-27 Thickness of Shells Under Internal Pressure
ASME BPVC Section VIII is the prevailing Code that is used for dryer cylinder design and construction.
When Section VIII rules are used, part UG-27 defines the minimum thickness for a shell under internal
pressure, and conversely the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) given a thickness.
UG-27 states the minimum required thickness shall not be less than the contained formulas, except as
permitted by Mandatory Appendix 32, provided the thickness also meets the requirements of UG-16 (for
cast iron dryers, this means t > 1/16”). [Provisions related to UG-22 are outside this scope]
For dryer cylinders the limiting thickness will be from circumferential stress which makes the relevant
equations* those listed under UG-27(c)(1):
𝑃𝑅𝑖 𝑆𝐸𝑡
𝑡= or 𝑃=
𝑆𝐸−0.6𝑃 𝑅𝑖 +0.6𝑡
t = minimum required thickness (in) P = maximum allowable pressure (psi)
P = design pressure (psi) t = minimum measured thickness (in)
R = dryer shell inside radius (in) R = dryer shell inside radius (in)
S = maximum allowable stress (psi) S = maximum allowable stress (psi)
E = joint efficiency (1.0) E = joint efficiency (1.0)
*Dryer cylinders are often built with specific OD requirements rather than ID requirements, and equivalent formulae using Ro
are given in Mandatory Appendix 1.
The variables in the above equations are found in the U-1A Manufacturer’s Data Report for Pressure
Vessels, the associated vessel’s nameplate, and for cast iron dryers Table UCI-23 Maximum Allowable
Stress Values in Tension for Cast Iron.
Using those variables, the minimum required thickness or MAWP can be straightforwardly calculated.
Mandatory Appendix 32 Local Thin Areas in Cylindrical Shells
A vessel having an area below the minimum required thickness (t) does not necessarily mean the MAWP
must be decreased to the value corresponding to minimum thickness of the LTA (tL). Appendix 32 permits
acceptable local thins areas in cylindrical shells under internal pressure be less than the required minimum
thickness required by UG-27 provided the requirements of the appendix are met.
The dimensional requirements given in 32-6(a) for
the LTA are as follows:
(1) 𝑡𝐿 ⁄𝑡 ≥ 0.9
(2) 𝐿 ≤ √𝑅𝑡
(3) 𝐶 ≤ 2√𝑅𝑡
(4) 𝑡 − 𝑡𝐿 ≤ 3/16"
Equation (1) is stating the remaining thickness of the LTA must be at least 90% of the minimum required
thickness.
Equation (2) is stating the axial length of the LTA must not be greater that the square root of the product
of the inside radius and the minimum required thickness.
Equation (3) is stating the circumferential length of the LTA must not be greater than twice the value
calculated in eq. (2).
Equation (4) is stating the “pit” or depth of the LTA must not exceed 3/16”.
Applying Appendix 32 to a Localized Thin Area
Applying Appendix 32 to a small localized area of thinning in a dryer cylindrical shell is as straightforward
as checking the shape, size, and depth of the LTA against the dimensional, positional and profiling
requirements of the Appendix (along with General requirements) and then documenting that Appendix
32 was invoked.
Applying Appendix 32 to a Full Circumferential Groove
Unfortunately, a 360° groove, regardless of depth, will not pass the requirements of Appendix 32. A
shallow and narrow groove might pass equations (1), (2), and (4) but all 360° grooves will fail eq (3).
Given that 𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑅 ≤ 2√𝑅𝑡, a 360° groove would require a thickness of 𝑡 ≥ 𝜋 2 𝑅, which beyond not
meeting the stipulation that UG-27 (c) only applies when 𝑡 ≤ 0.5𝑅, is impossible in that the maximum
thickness of any real cylinder is R, making the cylinder completely solid.
Therefore, Mandatory Appendix 32 of the ASME BPVC Section VIII cannot be applied to areas of the typical
grooving encountered in cast iron dryer cylinders.
Joe Jarvis
Division NDT Level III
ASNT#211541
joe.jarvis@kadant.com
