Dish-End Tank Volume Calculator

Calculate volume for cylindrical tanks with dished heads (torispherical, ellipsoidal, and hemispherical end caps).

🥘 Calculate Dish-End Tank Volume

What is a Dish-End Pressure Tank?

A dish-end tank is an industrial pressure vessel featuring curved dished heads (such as torispherical or ellipsoidal caps) welded to a cylindrical shell. Dished ends enhance pressure handling capability over flat tank ends.

Consult technical specifications at Dished Head Specifications.

Dish-End Vessel Volume Formulas

Cylinder Body Volume:

V_cylinder = π × r² × Length

Dish Ends Volume (2 Caps):

V_heads = (4 / 3) × π × r² × Dish_Depth

Total Vessel Volume:

V_total = V_cylinder + V_heads

How to Calculate Dish-End Tank Volume

  1. Measure Cylinder Body Diameter & Length: Measure internal cylinder shell diameter and straight length.
  2. Measure Dish Depth: Record internal dish head depth from tangent line to dish crown.
  3. Calculate Cylinder & Dish Head Volumes: Compute main cylinder body volume and dished head volumes.
  4. Sum Components: Add body and head volumes for total gross capacity.

Dish-End Vessel Numerical Example

For a horizontal dished-end vessel with 6 ft diameter, 12 ft cylinder length, and 1.5 ft dish head depth:

Cylinder Volume = 3.14159 × (3)² × 12 = 339.29 ft³
Dish Caps Volume (2 heads) = (4/3) × 3.14159 × (3)² × 1.5 = 56.55 ft³
Total Vessel Volume = 339.29 + 56.55 = 395.84 ft³ ≈ 2,961.09 US Gallons

Dish-End Pressure Vessel Sizing Reference Chart

Vessel SizingShell (D × L) × Dish DepthUS GallonsLitres
Small Pressure Receiver36" × 72" × 9" (0.91m × 1.83m × 0.23m)350 gal1,325 L
Medium Storage Vessel48" × 120" × 12" (1.22m × 3.05m × 0.30m)1,050 gal3,975 L
Large Chemical Reactor72" × 144" × 18" (1.83m × 3.66m × 0.46m)2,750 gal10,409 L
Industrial Fermenter96" × 240" × 24" (2.44m × 6.10m × 0.61m)8,200 gal31,040 L

ASME Pressure Vessel Standards & Tangent Line Rules

Dished heads are manufactured to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) standards. Always measure cylinder length strictly between head tangent lines to avoid double-counting dish depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are dished ends used instead of flat end plates?

Curved dish heads distribute internal pressure uniformly, reducing stress concentrations compared to flat plates.

Which industries commonly use dish-end tanks?

They are widely used in chemical processing, steam boilers, pharmaceutical reactors, and oil refineries.

Are dished end tanks suitable for vacuum applications?

Yes, their curved geometry provides excellent resistance against external vacuum pressure.

What materials are typically used to build dish-end tanks?

Common materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, and food-grade metals.

Do dished end shapes affect cleanability?

Yes, smooth curved dish heads prevent contaminant accumulation in sharp corners.