History of Pressure Vessels

Pressure vessels play a critical role in various industries, from mining to water storage to oil refining. The concept of the pressure vessel was first introduced in 1495 by Leonardo da Vinci in his Codex Madrid I. Da Vinci designed the pressure vessel to lift heavy loads under water using pressurized air.

The concept of the pressure vessel was not put into practice until 1663, when Edward Somerset built a working, industrial-sized steam pump into Raglan Castle. Somerset planned to found a company to produce steam pumps for mining companies but died before he could put his plan into action.

Luckily, Somerset’s steam pump did not die with him. Thomas Savery built a steam pump several years later that echoed Somerset’s design almost exactly, aside from a few small improvements. Savery joined forces with Thomas Newcomen, and the two built the first commercial steam engine in 1712.

Pressure vessels were a key component of the Age of Steam and the Industrial Revolution. Boilers were necessary for nineteenth century steam power, which fueled trains, factories, mills, and mining operations. But while pressure vessels were necessary for the Steam Age economy, they were also incredibly dangerous. Pressure vessel explosions were an almost daily occurrence across the world, killing and injuring hundreds of workers.

As a result of these catastrophes, several machinists and pressure vessel connection manufacturers came together in 1911 to create the first set of pressure vessel standards. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code was published in 1914 to ensure safer pressure vessel design and construction.

Do You Need ASME Pressure Vessel Connections Manufacturing?

Forged Components, Inc. provides ANSI flanges, ASME nozzle forging, and carbon steel flange manufacturing for pressure vessels. For more information about our subsea connections manufacturing, call us at (281) 441-4088 or contact us online.