Engineering Practice

Applying ASME Boiler Code to

Steam Generation Systems
Saturated steam
Steam drum

Preheated
boiler feed
water

Steam-generation systems
When it comes to steam-generation
systems, safety is the primary con-

section

Convection

Interstage
desuperheater

Produced steam

Radiant
section

Saturated steam
Steam drum

Saturated steam

Boiler feed water

Water circulation

FIGURE 1.
Most operators
agree that Section 1 of the
ASME Boiler
and Pressure
Vessel code is
the most appropriate standard
for steamgeneration
systems, such
as the more
common natural-circulation
type (above)
and the forcedcirculation type
(below)

Superheated steam

Transfer line
exchanger

Martha Choroszy, David Ballow and Ali Bourji

WorleyParsons
he ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code (ASME BPVC),
which is administered by ASME
(New York, N.Y.; www.asme.org;
founded as the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers), is a well-established standard for the design and
fabrication of boilers and pressure vessels. ASME code-symbol stamps show
compliance with the requirements of
the standard, but code stamping of
steam systems in ethylene and other
large heaters can be controversial.
Much of the challenge for those in
the chemical process industries (CPI)
stems from the fact that the main focus
of the code is on power boilers, rather
than on petroleum refinery or petrochemical heaters, so definitions are
sometimes not clear. Furthermore, it
can be difficult to define which authority has jurisdiction over steam generation systems in the CPI. Even in the
U.S., state boiler codes vary among the
states. In other countries, adherence to
ASME standards may or may not be
required, thus leaving it up to the owners of the asset to decide. This article
provides guidance on the requirements
for stamping within the ASME code
and explains how state boiler codes can
affect the requirements.

Boiler feed water

Economizer

Water circulation

Steam circulation

Determining when and how the

ASME boiler code applies to
steam systems in petrochemical
operations can be difficult.
Guidance on the requirements
for boiler code stamping can help

Economizer
Superheater
coils

Steam
generation
coils

Superheated steam

Convection
section

Radiant
section

cern for both the owners of the system

and for the authorities that have jurisdiction over them. All parties want
safe and reliable equipment designed
for the intended purpose. Section 1 of
the ASME BPVC contains the rules
for construction of power boilers [1].
Power boilers are defined as boilers
that generate steam at pressures in
excess of 15 psig, for external use.
Most designers and owners of steam-

generation systems from fired heaters agree that ASME Code Section 1
is the appropriate design code for the
steam system.
Steam systems in fired heaters typically consist of the following: steam
drum; relief valves; boiler-feedwater
preheat tubes; steam-generation tubes;
steam superheating tubes; an end-stage
or interstage de-superheater; startup
vent and silencer; interconnecting pip-

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHE.COM JANUARY 2013

49

Engineering Practice
ing; inline instruments;
and, for ethylene heaters,
a primary transfer line exchanger (TLE) as shown in
Figure 1. The steam generation system can be one of
two types: either natural
circulation or forced circulation. The natural circulation type is more common.
Figure 1 (bottom) shows a
typical set-up for a forcedcirculation system.

Vents and
instrumentation

Single installation
PG-58.3.1
PG-58.3.2

Multiple installation
Common
header
Drain

PG-71

Level indicators PG-60

Steam drum

Control device
PG-60

PG-58.3.7

Inlet header
(if used)

Vent
Drain

Integral
superheater
(if used)

PG-68.1

n
Ve

Soot blowers PG-68.5

Single installation
PG-68.2

Main steam
PG-58.3.1
PG-58.3.2

ASME jurisdiction

Drain

Surface blow
Continuous blow
Chemical feed
Drum sample

Soot blowers PG-68.5

Multiple installation
Drain
Common
header

Feedwater systems
PG-58.3.3

The jurisdictional limits of

ASME from Section 1 of the
Integral
nt
Single boiler
Ve
Part PFH
economizer
BPVC are shown in Figure
Single boiler
(if used)
2. The figure, Code JurisBoiler no. 1
Two or more
dictional Limits for Pipboilers fed from
Boiler no. 2
ing Drum Type Boilers,
a common source
was adapted from ASME
Water
drum
PG-58.3.6
Regulating valves
Boiler
no.
1
2010 BPVC Section 1, with
Blow-off
permission of ASME [2].
Two or more
single and multiple
Boiler no. 2
boilers fed
The ASME BPVC deinstallations
from a comscribes three areas of
Drain
mon source
technical
responsibilPG-58.3.7
ity: the boiler proper, the
Administrative jurisdiction and technical responsibility
boiler external piping and
Boiler proper the ASME boiler and pressure vessel code (ASME BPVC) has total
joint, and non-boiler exadministrative jurisdiction and technical responsibility (refer to section I preamble)
ternal piping and joint.
Boiler external piping and joint the ASME BPVC has total administrative jurisdiction (mandatory
The boiler proper falls
certification by code symbol stamping, ASME data forms, and authorized inspection) of boiler exterunder the administrative
nal piping and joint. The ASME section committee B31.1 has been assigned technical responsibility
jurisdiction and technical
Non-boiler external piping and joint Not section jurisdiction (see applicable ASME B31 code).
responsibility of Section 1
of the ASME BPVC. The FIGURE 2. The ASME BPVC describes three areas of technical responsibility: boiler proper;
boiler proper and boiler boiler external piping and joint; and non-boiler external piping and joint
external piping and joint
fall under the administrative juris- tional boiler. Most engineers agree, port produced depends on the type of
diction of ASME BPVC and require and several U.S. state boiler codes manufacturer. Table 1 shows a commandatory certification, along with require that the steam drum be de- mon setup, where multiple vendors
code stamping, ASME data forms and signed to ASME Section 1. In non-code provide the various components of the
states, the drum may be designed to steam system.
authorized inspection.
Technical responsibility for boiler Section VIII.
Steam superheat tubes, economizer Master stamp
external piping is assigned to the
ASME section committee of B31.1. tubes and steam generation tubes are If compliance with ASME BPVC SecNon-boiler external piping and joint also designed to meet the require- tion 1 is required by law, a master
is not considered to be within the ju- ments of ASME Section 1.
stamp is required. For a forced-flow
risdiction of ASME BPVC section 1,
steam-generation unit, the code is
and those components are usually Stamp requirements
clear manufacturers of forced-flow
designed according to B31.1 in utility The ASME BPVC clearly requires all systems must provide a master stamp.
applications or B31.3 in chemical or equipment considered to be boiler For field-assembled boilers, a master
refinery plant applications.
proper and boiler external piping stamp is clearly required.
Even the application of the Code and joint to be stamped. Steam sysThe master stamp must be provided
Jurisdictional Limits for Piping tems for ethylene heaters are typi- by whoever has responsibility for the
Drum Type Boilers to steam systems cally manufactured by multiple ven- entire boiler unit. In cases where the
in ethylene heaters can be problem- dors and assembled in the field by a manufacturer is not the assembler, the
atic, because the language of the sec- different contractor. The particular manufacturer or engineering contraction is clearly intended for a conven- ASME stamp and partial data re- tor may provide partial data reports to
50

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHE.COM JANUARY 2013

TABLE 1. MULTIPLE VENDORS SUPPLY VARIOUS STEAM-SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Component name

Category

ASME Code

Code stamp requirement

(by field assembler)

Code stamp
(by vendor)

Stamp
type

ASME
partial
data
report

Stamp
type

ASME
partial
data
report

Boiler feed water (BFW) feed

piping to pre-heater

Piping

ASME B31.1

PP

P-4A

BFW feed piping to

de-superheater

Piping

ASME B31.1

PP

P-4A

BFW pre-heater

Equipment

ASME SEC. I

BFW piping to steam drum

Piping

ASME B31.1

PP

P-4A

Steam drum

Equipment

P-4A

P-4A

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

Pressure-reducing de-superheat- Pressure relief

valve
ing stations (PRDs) on steam
drums

ASME SEC 1

P-7

Riser and downcomer

Vendor piping

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

Primary transfer-line heat exchanger (TLE), steam-side

Equipment

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

Primary TLE blowdown

Piping

ASME B31.1

PP

P-4A

10

Super high-pressure (SHP) piping from steam drum

Piping

ASME B31.1

PP

P-4A

11

Upper steam superheater

(USSH)

Equipment

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

12

De-superheater

Equipment

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

13

De-superheater piping

Vendor piping

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

P-4A

14

Lower steam superheater (LSSH) Equipment

ASME SEC. I

P-4A

15

SHP export piping

ASME B31.1

PP

P-4A

the assembler, and the assembler may

affix the stamp jointly with the manufacturer, according to the rules of section PG-106 in ASME BPVC Section
1. In this case, both the engineering
contractor and the authorized inspector must sign the P-3A forms provided
by the assembler.
The question that arises for steamgeneration units on ethylene heaters
is this: When adherence to ASME
BPVC Section 1 is voluntary, is a master stamp required? The answer is no.
If compliance is voluntary, the owner
of the system may opt to comply with
some parts of the code, but not others.

Owner requirements
Almost all owner specifications require
that the steam drum, primary transfer line heat exchanger (TLE; steam
side), and boiler proper piping are designed according to ASME BPVC Section 1, and stamped by the supplier.
Few owners require a master stamp
unless a stamp is required by the local
authority having jurisdiction.
Owner specifications for steam

Piping

systems can sometimes be confusing,

and at other times do not address the
subject at all. Statements such as the
steam system shall be in accordance
with ASME section 1 can be difficult
to interpret.

State boiler code requirements

In the U.S., the individual states
regulate boilers. There is no federal
boiler code that applies to all states
and territories. Not all 50 states have
boiler codes. Most states that do have
boiler codes require compliance with
ASME BPVC Section 1. Some states
go further and require National Board
Registration and inspection. A sampling of three state boiler-code laws
follows. While the language contained
in the codes for both Mississippi and
Texas are clear, the language of other
states is not.
Mississippi State Boiler Code
commonly known as Title 15, Section III, part 76 clearly defines
any vessel that generates steam at
over 15 psig as a power boiler [3]. It
goes on to say that Boilers and un-

Assembler
Stamp
(by field assembler)
Stamp
type

ASME
partial
data
report

P-3A

fired pressure vessels to be installed

for operation in Mississippi shall
be designed, constructed, inspected,
stamped and installed in accordance
with the applicable ASME Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code, and these
rules and regulations.
Texas State Boiler Code, commonly
known as 16 TAC 65, requires that
any heating boiler, nuclear boiler,
power boiler, unfired steam boiler or
process steam generator that is installed in Texas must be inspected,
installed and stamped in conformity
with the applicable section of the
ASME BPVC. Such boilers must be
registered with the National Board
of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. Exceptions include reinstalled
boilers, as well as those exempted
by the Health and Safety Code,
755.022 [4].
New Jersey Boiler Code is commonly called NJAC 12 subchapter
4. In New Jersey, the term boiler
means a closed vessel in which water
is heated, steam is generated, steam
is superheated, or any combination

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHE.COM JANUARY 2013

51

Engineering Practice
thereof, under pressure or vacuum,
for external use by the direct application of heat [5]. The term boilershall
include fired or waste-heat units for
heating or vaporizing liquids other
than water where these units are
separate from processing systems
and are complete within themselves.
New Jersey requires compliance with
ASME BPVC Section 1 and National
Board rules.

Concluding remarks

References

Authors

1. ASME Section 1, Boiler and Pressure Vessel

Code, ASME, July 1, 2010.
2. Reprinted from ASME 2010 BPVC, Section 1,
by permission of The ASME (American Society
of Mechanical Engineers.) All rights reserved.
3. Mississippi Department of Health, Title 15, Part
III Office of Health Protection, 76 Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Safety, July 1, 1975.
4. Texas Boiler Administrative Rules 16 Texas
Administrative Code, January 1, 2008.
5. New
Jersey
Administrative
Code
(N.J.A.C.) Boilers, Pressure Vessels &
Refrigeration,October 6, 2008.

While safety remains of the utmost

concern, economics, more than engineering, play a great role in defining
the boundaries where the ASME code
may apply. Unless a more specific code
is developed for ethylene units, the
debate about boundaries will continue
among owners, engineering contractors, technology providers and other
stakeholders. In general, more strin-

Martha Choroszy is a chief

process engineer at WorleyParsons (6330 West Loop
South, Bellaire, Tex. 77401;
Phone: 713-407-5000; Email:
[email protected]). She received
a B.S.Ch.E. degree from the
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and an MBA from
Tulane University. She is a licensed professional engineer
in Texas and a member of AIChE and NFPA.
She is the author of numerous publications, a recipient of Tulanes Allen Vorholt award and has
served as a Blue Ribbon Panel Member to define
the National Agenda for the U.S. Core Combustion Research Program.

gent requirements of ASME are applied for ethylene plants in the U.S.,
compared to other places in the world.

Edited by Scott Jenkins

David Ballow is a principal

process engineer at WorleyParsons in Houston (Email:
david.ballow@worleyparsons.
com) and is a professional engineer. He received a B.S.Ch.E.
degree from Louisiana Tech
University and is a member
of AIChE.

Ali Bourji is a senior technical director at WorleyParsons in Houston (Email: ali.

[email protected]).
Bourji received his B.S. and
M.S. degrees in chemical engineering from the University
of Houston, and a doctorate
degree from Lamar University. He is a professional engineer and a member of AIChE
and AFPM. Dr. Bourji is the
author of numerous publications and serves on
the Chemical Engineering PhD Advisory Council
at Lamar University.

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