How To: Understand Data Tags
Every pressure vessel manufactured by Wessels Company is equipped with a metal data tag affixed to its front side, positioned below the smart bracket system. This data tag serves as a quick reference for essential vessel information.
All vessels that adhere to the ASME code have a corresponding U stamp on the tag. You can learn more about the ASME code and Wessels’s certification here: Wessels and ASME Specification | Wessels Company (westank.com)
Each vessel that adheres to the ASME code is also given a specific National Board number, which is the manufacturing organization’s sequential identifier for a specific pressure-retaining item so it can be tracked. The number circled is either a five- or six-digit number, found in the upper right corner of the data tag. Maintenance engineers can use the National Board number as a reference for technical support or warranty information.
Crucial operational parameters such as maximum and minimum working pressures and temperatures are prominently featured on the tag. These values are denoted as Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) and Minimum Design Metal Temperature (MDMT), respectively. For instance, the specified MAWP for this vessel is 200 pounds per square inch (psi), accompanied by a maximum working temperature of 240°F.
Additionally, the tag includes the manufacturing year, affirming its origin in the United States. H.D. denotes Head Dimension, indicating the size of the vessel’s top, while SH signifies the shell thickness or steel gauge employed in its construction.
In the lower left corner of the tag you can find the CRN (Canadian Registration Number), a mandatory identifier for vessels intended for installation and registration within Canada. Meanwhile, the tank type is often delineated on the lower right side; for example, this particular vessel is identified as a 35-gallon expansion tank.
The name of the manufacturer can also be found on the tag, and in this case, the manufacturer is Wessels Company. For more information about data tags, you can call our warehouse at 317-888-9800 or watch this short video.
GREENWOOD, IND. – Wessels Company is thrilled to announce the debut of its latest product enhancements at the AHR Expo in Chicago, showcased at booth 6321. Among the highlights is the new Drum Mounted Glycol Makeup Package, known as DM-GMP, featuring enhanced mobility and refill capabilities. The system ingeniously mounts atop a standard drum containing glycol or glycol mixture, streamlining the refill and installation process.
In addition to these advancements, the industry-leading smart bracket technology has undergone a redesign to be more compact and resilient. The WessView® bladder monitor, air pressure gauge, and Schrader valve have all been optimized to snugly fit the exterior of the tank with a single connection. The ASME tank and smart system seamlessly integrate all essential technologies into a convenient location. The new smart bracket will become a standard feature on all bladder-style tanks later this year.
We happily introduce the newest smiling face to the Wessels family, Allyson McQueen! She joined our engineering department at the beginning of November as a Process Engineer. She loves learning new things, which will surely benefit her in her new role on our engineering team. Allyson is an avid sports fan and has many teams she roots for including the Florida Gators, Atlanta Braves, Miami Dolphins, and the L.A. Lakers. She is a dog lover and has a large German Shepherd who she loves to spoil. In her free time, she can be found training large dogs and playing darts around the country in tournaments.
The type of fluid being heated is normally water or a mix of glycol and water. The specific volume of glycol increases with temperature faster than that of water. The difference between the specific volume at the starting and ending temperatures dictates the percentage increase in volume of the fluid. It should be noted that the piping system will also increase in size as it is heated. ASHRAE sizing, and most manufacturers, use a net expansion factor that accounts for the change in specific volumes less the expansion of the piping.
The minimum starting pressure for the tank depends on the height of the building above the expansion tank location. Starting with a penthouse installation, the pressure of the piping in the top floor installation needs to be 10 psi to ensure proper purging of the air that can collect at high points in the system. This means that the expansion tank located in a penthouse would be set for that same pressure, or 10 psi. As the tank moves downward in the system, an increase of 1 psi is needed for every 2.3 feet from the top. If the tank moves down 80 feet from the top, an additional 80 feet/2.3 feet per psi, or 35 psi more is added. The resulting charge for the tank is 35 psi plus 10 psi (needed at the top) or 45 psi.
