ASME Code Approval for Graphite Heat Exchangers Widens Process Applicability

In 2009, after a lengthy industry-wide study, the ASME established rules for the construction of graphite pressure-containing equipment, making graphite the first and only non-metallic to be included in the highly-respected ASME Code, Section VIII, Division I for pressure vessels that is followed by 39 of the United States and all of Canada. These ASME rules for graphite pressure equipment, which became mandatory on January 1, 2010, were developed to eliminate sub-standard manufacturing and repair practices that were damaging the reputation of Impregnated Graphite as a suitable material for pressure vessel construction and to establish internationally-accepted standards and rules that all manufacturers and repair shops would have to follow as a minimum. The rules are found in Part “UIG” of the ASME Code .