Pressure Vessel Digital Delivery – A Complete Guide
In today’s EPC projects, a 3-D model alone is no longer enough. Owners now expect a full digital twin that can travel from design to decommissioning, carrying every bolt, weld and certificate with it. Below is a one-page checklist that our team uses to deliver pressure-vessel digital packages that are BIM-ready, client-ready and regulator-ready.
I. 3-D Model Requirements
- • LOD 300-500 (geometry + fabrication details)
• Neutral formats: STEP, IFC, E57 + native (SolidWorks, Inventor, PDMS)
• File-size limit ≤ 200 MB per skid; compression via JT or 3D-PDF for review - • Follow the project colour table (e.g., shell = 10B 6/4, internals = 5GY 8/2)
- • Plant North = +Y, origin at base centerline
• If local coordinates are used, supply the transformation matrix to the plant datum - • Minimum 600 mm clearance envelopes modelled around every manway, nozzle and lifting lug
- • Deliver for all removable internals, trays and bundle assemblies; update after each revision
- IP & Confidentiality
• Patent-protected internals can be delivered as simplified solids or encrypted JT per client NDA
II Digital Deliverables Matrix
Phase | Deliverable | Format | Notes |
Design | 3-D model (LOD 300-500), GA drawings, stress reports | STEP, PDF, CAESAR-II | Approved for fabrication |
Procurement | BOM, MTO, valve specs, CE/PED dossiers | Excel, Docx, PDF | Linked to ERP line items |
Manufacture | Weld maps, WPS/PQR, PMI, heat-treatment charts | PDF, XML | Uploaded to client portal within 24 h |
NDT & QC | RT/UT films, PT/MT reports, hydro test certificates | DICONDE, PDF | Indexed by serial number |
Site / Installation | Lifting plan, anchor-bolt layout, spool drawings | IFC, DWG | Compatible with Navisworks |
As-Built | Red-line 3-D model (LOD 500), final dossier | STEP, PDF | Baseline for future RBI & turnarounds |
III Key Take-aways for Owners & Contractors
- Single Source of Truth: All filesare stored in a common data environment (CDE) with unique GUIDs.
- Regulator Ready: Digital dossierssatisfy PED 2014/68/EU, ASME VIII and local TSG requirements.
- Future-Proof: Model and metadatacan be imported to APM, SAP-PM or any CMMS for lifecycle management.
