PREBECC – a young Vietnamese manufacturer of pressure equipment – has officially been awarded a contract to fabricate four high-pressure vessels (High Pressure Compressed Vessels) for the plastics industry. The vessels will be designed and manufactured in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1, for export and operation in the United States.
This project marks a significant milestone for PREBECC in entering the ASME-compliant pressure equipment supply chain for the U.S. market – one of the most strictly regulated and technically demanding markets today.
1. 48 Bar High-Pressure Vessel Project: Stringent Technical and Regulatory Requirements
The project includes four high-pressure compressed air vessels operating under elevated pressure conditions, directly serving plastic material and equipment production lines for a U.S.-based client.
The vessels are required to:
- Be designed and calculated in accordance with the latest edition of ASME Section VIII, Division 1
- Bear the ASME U Stamp
- Be registered with the National Board (NB)
- Fully comply with requirements for safety, inspection, testing, and documentation traceability
In the United States, the ASME BPVC is not only a technical standard but also a legal basis for pressure vessels to be installed, operated, insured, and accepted by local authorities.
2. Key Technical Specifications of ASME Pressure Vessels
Based on the approved preliminary design, the vessels have the following typical specifications:
- Design Code: ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII – Division 1
- Certification: ASME U Stamp and National Board Registration
- Design Pressure: 4.8 MPa (48 bar)
- MAWP (Maximum Allowable Working Pressure): 4.8 MPa at 150°C
- Hydrostatic Test Pressure: approximately 6.24 MPa
- Design Temperature: 150°C
- Operating Temperature Range: -10°C to 50°C
- Minimum Design Metal Temperature (MDMT): -10°C at 4.8 MPa
- Corrosion Allowance: 1 mm
- Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT): Exempt per ASME Code provisions
- Impact Test: Exempt per ASME Code
These parameters indicate a high-pressure system requiring strict control throughout all stages – from design and material selection to welding procedures, non-destructive examination (NDE), and pressure testing.
3. Role of Pressure Vessels in Plastic Pellet and Equipment Manufacturing
The project client is a plastics manufacturer specializing in polymer pellets and plastic processing equipment. In modern plastics plants, compressed air pressure vessels are a critical part of the utility infrastructure.
Specifically, these vessels are used to:
Store and stabilize high-pressure compressed air for injection molding machines, extrusion systems, and material conveying systems
Reduce pressure fluctuations, ensuring stable and continuous pellet production
Enhance operational safety, especially in facilities with a high density of pressure equipment and automation
Due to high-pressure service and continuous duty cycles, pressure vessels used in the U.S. plastics industry are required to comply with the ASME Code to meet occupational safety, industrial insurance, and periodic inspection requirements.
4. Engineering Execution: From ASME Design Review to Fabrication and Certification
Immediately after contract award, PREBECC initiated all critical engineering activities in line with client drawings and design documentation, with a strong focus on ASME Code compliance throughout fabrication and certification.
4.1. Design Review and ASME Compliance Verification
Based on client-provided drawings and technical data, PREBECC engineers performed:
- Verification of shell, head, and bottom thickness against design requirements
- Review of openings, nozzles, manways, and reinforcement details
- Validation of pressure–temperature ratings within the scope of ASME Section VIII, Division 1
- Confirmation of design loads and load combinations
This step ensures that all input documentation is fully compliant with ASME requirements before proceeding to fabrication.
4.2. Preparation of Manufacturing and ASME Certification Dossier
Based on the reviewed and approved design package, PREBECC prepares the Manufacturing Data Book (MDB) in accordance with ASME and National Board requirements, including:
- Design documents and client reference data
- Material certificates (Mill Test Certificates – MTC) with full traceability
- Welding documentation: WPS, PQR, and welder qualifications (WPQ)
- Non-destructive examination (NDE) reports (RT, UT, PT) as required by the Code
- Hydrostatic testing procedures and reports
- ASME U-1 Data Report and National Board registration dossier
4.3. Material Procurement and Fabrication Control
All materials are selected and controlled in full compliance with ASME requirements, ensuring:
- Suitability for the specified pressure and temperature conditions
- Full certification and traceability
- Compliance with inspection, testing, and certification requirements
The entire fabrication, inspection, and testing process is monitored and certified by an Authorized Inspector (AI) in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This forms the basis for ASME U Stamp certification and National Board registration prior to delivery and export.
5. A Young Vietnamese Manufacturer in the Global Supply Chain
Despite being a relatively young company, PREBECC has steadily established its position in the boiler and pressure equipment sector, particularly in ASME pressure vessel projects for international markets. This progress is driven by continuous involvement in technically demanding projects and strict adherence to international standards and regulatory requirements.
Prior to this project, PREBECC had accumulated experience in the design and fabrication of export-oriented pressure equipment, with the United States as a key market. Notably, in late 2025, the company successfully completed and delivered ASME Section VIII Division 1 pressure vessels, fully meeting certification, inspection, and National Board registration requirements for operation in the U.S.
In this context, the 48-bar high-pressure vessel project for U.S. export represents not only a commercial achievement but also a milestone demonstrating the capability of a Vietnamese manufacturer to meet the technical and quality standards of the global supply chain.