Apache Stainless Blog

Versatility of Dimple Jacket Heat Transfer Thermal Processing

Apache’s engineers and fabrication experts are entrusted by many national and international processors to provide complex vessels with a host of compliant driven specifications and required quality protocols.  With nearly 45 years of experience providing custom vessels, Apache has significant experience in thermal heat exchange surfaces. 

Heat exchange surfaces can be designed for heating or cooling. Jacketed vessels are used in many industries and can be used to remove the elevated heat of reaction (heat reactor vessel) or reduce the viscosity of high viscous fluids.

Depending on the application, dimple jackets offer versatility in heating or cooling for almost any shape or size of vessel. 

Dimple jackets are constructed with a thin gauge stainless steel layer that is plug welded to the vessel shell in a pattern.  The punched and spot-welded areas are called dimples, which create turbulence of the heating or cooling fluid flowing through the jacket.  The dimple jacket design allows for thinner vessel shell walls compared to a convention jacket due to the strength of the dimple pattern design.

Dimple Jackets are manufactured in several different pressures and patterns. Apache provides both 12 ga. and 14 ga. material. Each pat­tern is validated and proof tested per ASME regulations.

Apache has proofed and certified designs up to 1 ¾” at 290psig at 300o F but can go to higher temperatures depending on the application.  

Applications and Features

• ASME approval by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Inspectors up to 290 psig.
• Pressures of 290 psig with temperature limited to 500 degrees F, depending on the application.
• High jacket pressures permitted without significant increase of side structure thickness.
• Efficient heat transfer at low media flow.
• Dimple jackets are well suited to steam applications.
• They can be used to provide heat transfer or cooling for virtually any shape or size of vessel.
• On large tanks, dimple jackets have a lower price point and maintain a higher pressure drop compared to conventional jackets. On small vessels, conventional jackets have a lower price point followed by dimple jacket and half pipe solutions.

Apache specializes in manufacturing custom vessels for high compliance industries including pharmaceutical and bio-pharma. We manufacture specialty sanitary design tanks, including pressure vessels, processing tanks and mixing vessels. We have all Stainless ASME certified manufacturing facility with custom capabilities including heat exchange surfaces, agitation, CIP (clean-in-place) componentry and controls. Apache has an in-house quality and compliance team to provide all testing and documentation requirements.

Learn more about Heat Transfer.

Custom vessel manufacturing to industries requiring compliance is what we do. There is a process for customer service and engineering that is required to get the custom vessel you require for your application. There are numerous specifications that will be required based on your process or level of compliance. Apache will work with you to explain and provide options in your vessel project. This collaborative effort will have to control cost and expedite timing for your custom vessel. 

Here are our 12 Project Engineering Steps to Ensure Vessel Compliance:

1. Understand the intent of the vessel.  Apache has 45 years of experience manufacturing custom vessels.  We can lead important project planning discussion if we know the intent or type of process in which the vessel will be used.
2. Ensure and Verify Design Conditions.  At this step, our project engineers look at the design conditions, process, temperatures, ASME and other compliance requirement and perform initial calculations.
3. Determine Finish Requirements. Once design is verified and viable, the project is examined for mechanical and electropolishing requirements, as well as access needed for fixtures and how that has an impact on the fittings.
4. Final Calculations.  In this step, the engineer provides final calculations to address issues, verify material thickness and fit of fittings.
5. Completion of Compliant Design.  The ASME/PED/CRN compliant design is completed in 3D Solid Works.
6. Order long lead time components.  The long lead time components such as the mixer, body flanges, heads are ordered. The supply chain is monitored carefully for timing, and any changes are communicated that may affect delivery.
7. Component Manufacturer Collaboration.  Apache leverages long term relationships with component manufactures to customize specifications to meet the needs of the process.
8. Custom Approval.  The customer receives approval drawings with 2D, 3D models.  There is often a series of collaborative meetings to finalize the design and approval.
9. ASME (or other faction) Submission.  The final design is submitted for ASME or other compliance agency for approval.  Apache also leverages long-term relationships with regulatory agencies to help facilitate a smooth process.
10. Detailed Drawings.  The engineering team completes the detailed drawings for the manufacturing process and fabrication can begin.
11. Tests / Certifications.  ASME tests are scheduled and performed by our Quality Assurance team to comply with the certifications required for the vessel.
12. Turn-over Packet (TOP).  The documentation packet can be completed after the vessel is manufactured and the TOP is developed and uploaded to our customer portal.

Apache’s engineering team articulates technical discussions and is open with timelines, cost and compliance-related issues. Our competence for a pharmaceutical or life science industry vessel is strongly supported in providing all compliance related deliverables.