Inlet Pressure Drop

Objectives
Objectives Objectives of this Presentation
Knowledge to learn
General Remarks

Parameter The aim of this presentation is to explain

inlet pressure drop, the effects and influences
Effects
as well as measures for adjustments.
Definitions

Calculation

Exceptions

Measures

Inlet Pressure Drop | LESER GmbH & Co. KG | 01.03.2017 | Rev. 00 2 / 12

Objectives General Remarks
Description
General Remarks
General Remarks

Parameter  Inlet pressure drop (p) is the pressure loss

from the vessel to the seat of the safety valve
Effects
while blowing.
Definitions  If the inlet pressure drop is to high
Calculation
a proper operation can not be guaranteed.
 The maximum inlet pressure drop
Exceptions
according to the most common
Measures codes and standards shall be 3%.

p < 3% p

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Objectives Parameter
Influencing Factors
General Remarks

Parameter
Parameter The following parameters are influencing
the inlet pressure drop:
Effects
 Diameter of the inlet piping
Definitions
 Length of the inlet piping
Calculation
 Pressure loss in the inlet piping
Exceptions (e.g. roughness)

Measures
 Components p
(e.g. bends, contractions
Change-over Valve)

Inlet Pressure Drop | LESER GmbH & Co. KG | 01.03.2017 | Rev. 00 4 / 12

Objectives Parameter
Influencing Factors
General Remarks

Parameter
Parameter
p2 = p1 p2 = p1 - p
Effects p = 0 p > 0

Definitions
Valve Valve
Calculation is closed is open

Exceptions

Measures

p2 p2

p p

p1 p1

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Objectives Effects
General Remarks

Parameter An inlet pressure drop above 3% has an

effect on the proper function of the safety valve.
Effects
Effects
This can cause the following malfunctions:
Definitions

Calculation
p Chattering
Exceptions Chattering p Proper operation
Lift (%) Lift (%)
100 100

Measures
80 80

60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0
94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 121 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 121

Vessel Pressure (%)

Chattering

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Objectives Definitions
Codes and Standards
General Remarks

Parameter
For the most common international codes and standards a maximum pressure loss
of 3% from the vessel to the safety valve is required. Examples are…
Effects

Definitions
Definitions API 520, 2.2.2

Calculation
When a pressure relief valve is installed on a line directly connected to a vessel,
the non-recoverable pressure loss between the protected equipment and
Exceptions the pressure relief valve should not exceed 3% of the set pressure of the valve.
An engineering analysis of the valve performance at higher Inlet losses
Measures
may permit increasing the allowable pressure loss above 3%.

AD 2000-Merkblatt A2, 6.2.2

The pressure loss in the supply line shall not exceed 3% of the difference in
pressure between the response pressure and the extraneous back pressure
in the case of the maximum mass flow discharged. A pre-condition for proper
functioning in the event of such pressure loss is that the difference in closing
pressure of the fitted safety valve shall be at least 5%.

Inlet Pressure Drop | LESER GmbH & Co. KG | 01.03.2017 | Rev. 00 7 / 12

Objectives Calculation
General Remarks

Parameter

Effects

Definitions

p = (  l/d +  )  /2  w2
Calculation
Calculation

Exceptions

Flow resistance Flow speed

Measures

 = Friction coefficient (piping)

l/d = Length and inner diameter of pipe
 = Resistance coefficient (components)
 = Density
w = Velocity
I d
p

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Objectives Calculation with different cross sections
General Remarks within the inlet line.
Parameter ptotal = p1 + p2
Effects 𝒍𝟏  𝒍𝟐 
= (𝟏 ∗ + 𝟏 ) ∗ ∗ 𝑾𝟐𝟏 + (𝟐 ∗ + 𝟐 ) ∗ ∗ 𝑾𝟐𝟐
𝒅𝟏 𝟐 𝒅𝟐 𝟐

Definitions
Pressure losses of inlet piping with different flow areas
shall be calculated seperately for each segment (example
Calculation
Calculation
with two different flow areas)

Exceptions
 = Friction coefficient (piping)
Measures
l/d = Length and inner diameter of pipe
section
 = Resistance coefficient (components)
 = Density
d1
l1 p1 w = Velocity
1/2 = Indices of the related pipe sections
ptotal
l2 d2 p2
Attention:
- Zeta values have always a specific
related area
- Zeta values with differing areas can
not be added up

Inlet Pressure Drop | LESER GmbH & Co. KG | 01.03.2017 | Rev. 00 9 / 12

Objectives Exceptions to the 3% pressure loss criterion
General Remarks  For high capacity safety valves the
pressure drop is allowed to be higher
Parameter
than 3%, if the certified coefficient of
Effects discharge and stable function is ensured
by the user.
Definitions
 Therefore, high capacity LESER safety
Calculation
valves were tested on the LESER
Exceptions
Exceptions
performance test bench, witnessed by a
third party
Measures
 The test set up consisted of high
capacity safety valves with an inlet line of
a Change-over Valve and a 5xDN pipe
piece
 As a result a Manufacturer’s
Declaration is provided to support the
user
 For Pilot Operated Safety Valves it is
possible to allow higher pressure drops
by installation of a remote sensing line.

Inlet Pressure Drop | LESER GmbH & Co. KG | 01.03.2017 | Rev. 00 10 / 12

Objectives Measures
Adjustment
General Remarks

Parameter The following adjustments prevent malfunction

are based on inlet pressure drop:
Effects
 Reduction of flow speed by
Definitions
– increasing pipe diameter
Calculation
– reduction of flow capacity using a smaller valve
Exceptions – reduction of flow capacity using a lift restriction

Measures
Measures
– reduction of flow capacity using an O-ring damper
 Reduction of flow resistance by
– shorter inlet pipe
– smooth connection to the vessel
false correct

Inlet Pressure Drop | LESER GmbH & Co. KG | 01.03.2017 | Rev. 00 11 / 12

Objectives Measures
Adjustment
General Remarks

Parameter The reduction of flow speed is more effective

than the reduction of flow resistance.
Effects

Definitions
Reduction (%) Reduction of Pressure Loss
Calculation 110
100
Exceptions
90 p = (  l/d +  )  /2  w2
Measures
Measures 80
70
Reduction of flow Resistance
60
50
40
30
20
Reduction of flow Speed (w)
10
0
10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Reduction of Pressure Loss (%)

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