ASTM (American Society for Materials and Testing) was developed to set standards for chemical, mechanical, physical, and electrical properties of material, as well as testing standards for materials. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) includes ASTM standards, AWS (American Welding Society) standards and other nationally and internationally recognized standards as part of a widely adapted design specification for many structures, including pressure vessels.
Apache has substantial capabilities for mechanical and chemical finishing having supplied stainless equipment to hygienic industries for more than four decades. Passivation, pickle passivation and electropolishing processes and associated ASME testing, and processes are 100% in-house. Passivation is the removal of excess iron or iron compounds from the surface of stainless steel by means of a chemical, typically an acid based solution. Unlike pickle passivation, no metal is removed from the surface during the process. The process has little effect on the RA values of the stainless material being passivated.
The ASTM A967 is a passivation standard that applies to the cleaning, passivation, and testing of stainless parts.
Pickle Passivation is the immersion of the metal in a pickling bath or coating the material with pickling solution such as nitric-hydrofluoric acid. The process removes both metallic contamination and heat-treating scales. Pickle passivated stainless steel has a matte appearance. Apache’s tests have confirmed improvements up to 25% in RA readings on material that has been pickle passivated.
The ASTM A380 is a passivation standard that covers cleaning, descaling, and passivating stainless material and parts. Spec A380 may include a variety of treatments, including precleaning, chemical descaling, degreasing and more. Electropolishing is an electro-chemical process that removes surface material from stainless steel. The process includes immersion of the stainless-steel component into a temperature-controlled bath of electrolytes that are charged with a DC power supply. Electrolytes used in electropolishing are concentrated sulfuric and phosphoric acid solutions. The finish has a mirror appearance. Apache’s before and after tests have shown improvements in RA smoothness up to 50%; results vary depending on stainless material.
The ASTM B912 specification outlines the electropolishing process for 200, 300 and 400 series alloys. Spec B912 may include preparatory cleaning procedures, post coating procedures and rinsing protocols. Final testing is also stated in the specification to evaluate performance of finish.
In Guide to ASTM & ASME Stainless Finishes, learn about the mechanical and chemical finishing processes to meet ASME, ASTM and other compliance requirements.
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Vacuum or Pressure closures for small/portable ASME vessels
Many processors come to Apache for a vessel solution in the incubation stage of their business. In some cases, they are looking for help to choose the right kind of vessel that will suit their needs and fit their budget. While Apache provides custom ASME vessels for a range of industries, we also offer a line of standard vessels that often solve what these manufacturers need for their process.
The use of the vessel will determine whether it is a pressurized solution, non—pressurized or vacuum vessel solution.
Vessels that require a minimum of 50 PSI, utilize a pressure closure. Numerous applications, including heating or cooling process, containment, and pressurized dispensing often utilize pressures at or above 50 psi.
It is important to note the safety and ASME requirements for pressure vessels, an ASME UM-mark is required for:
For vacuum requirements or non-vacuum applications, such as a storage vessel or collecting vessel, a vacuum closure may suit the application.
In the video, Nick Buchda, Apache’s Small Vessel Representative, demonstrates vacuum and pressure closures on our standard line of vessels.
Apache has produced stainless vessels with ASME certification for over 45 years, with other accreditations for pharmaceutical, life science and health industries including ASME UM, ASME U, FDA, 3-A, CRN, PED and BPE.
Whether the vessel needs fit a standard vessel, modifications to a standard vessel or a custom solution, Apache has the experience to fulfill a range of critical, sanitary-design vessel solutions.
Apache offers a line of standard stock pressure vessels ranging from one to 37.4 gallon capacity.
Our stock tanks feature large mouth oval opening, molded rubber bases on our 9-inch (model 90) tanks and pickle passivated finishes. In addition to our stock tank offering, we also offer options such as small mouth closures, stainless steel skirts, cart kits, dip tube variations and configurable nozzle types and optional electropolish finish.
All product contact surfaces are either 304 or 316 stainless steel.
The stock vessels are built in accordance with ASME Code specifications. As an option, we can manufacture model 99 tanks which can be certified per DOT and UN (Dept. of Transportation/United Nation) designations.
Apache's standard line of stock vessels can ship within 2 business days.
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Apache fabricates tanks from one gallon to more than 165,000 gallon capacity that are custom fabricated for processors and manufacturers all over North America.
In the photo, the large distillation tank has been loaded on the trailer is embarking to Canada. It is 9 ft. in diameter, 137 ft. long and weighs in at 160,000 lbs. with a 71,000 gallon capacity. In the upper right is a small one gallon, pickle passivated, portable research tank for a chemical processor.
Our fabrication experience is also diverse. We manufacture ASME Vessels, API-650 Vessels, Custom Mix Tanks, Storage Tanks, Evaporators, Jacketed Vessels, Columns, Heat Exchangers and Vats and Totes.
Apache’s tanks and vessels are found in the beverage, biotechnology, commercial, health and beauty, pulp and paper, biofuel, chemical, food-processing, petroleum and water treatment industries.
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