Pressure Safety Valves

Imagination at work
Special Thanks to…
 Importance of PSV
(Pressure Safety Valve)

Required by codes. ASME, DOT, API, ETC.

Protects a pressure vessel from rupturing.
Last line of defense.
Saves Lives!!!
 What is ASME?
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

Independent organization concerned about safety.

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Over 100 years of experience creating and modifying the safety
code.
Required by law in some states.
Recognized authority in court.
 ASME Code…

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 1

• Maintenance, Installation, and Manufacturing of Pressure
Relief Valves
• Paragraphs UG-125 to UG-136
– UG-135 is on Installation
• Appendix 11 is on Sizing
• Appendix M is on Installation
 What is API?

American Petroleum Institute

Code Developed by Manufacturers and Industry Personnel

Developed Standards on flange dimensions, seat tightness,
and orifice sizes
Give a generalization for sizing relief valves
 API Code…

API RP 520 part I is on Sizing

API RP 520 part II is on Installation

API RP 521 is on Pressure-Relieving Systems

API STD 526 is on Flange Valves

API STD 527 is a leak Specification

 What is DOT?

The United States Department of Transportation

Authority over any system that crosses state lines

Authority over any mobile pressure system (CO2 trucks,
etc.)
Required by law in some states
 DOT Code…

Code of federal regulations (cfr) Title 49

• Part 192 is transportation of gases by pipeline
• Part 193 is Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities
• Part 195 is transportation of hazardous liquids by
pipeline
How does a PSV Works?

Spring keeps valve

closed
Pressure attempts to
open the valve
When the pressure
exceeds the set pressure
the valve opens.
 What PSV’s Will Protect Against?

Accidental valve closure

Valve failure
Pool fires
Thermal expansion
Code Rules
 ASME Code Rules

Requires valves to be set at or below the MAWP of the

system.
The Valve has to be at Full Lift by 10% above the MAWP or
3psi above the MAWP, which ever is greater.

The valve has to start opening by MAWP and goes full by

10% or 3psi above MAWP.

For Fire cases the valve can go to 21% overpressure to go

to full lift.
Installation Rules

Install in the vertical position

Tighten using the wrench flats
Rigidly support the piping
Never reduce piping size
Installation Rules

A ball valve is not to be used

under a pressure relief valve
unless it is:
• A Full Port Ball Valve
• A Locking Ball Valve that
locks in the open position
 Gas Installations

For compressible fluids (gases)

the valve pick-up tube must
be higher than the normal
liquid fluid level.
 Liquid Installations

For incompressible fluid

(liquids) the valve pick-up tube
must be lower than the
normal fluid level.
 Liquid vs. Gas

Liquid valves set using water

Gas valves set using air
Gives Set pressure difference (about 2 to 5%)
 Inlet Piping Rules

Piping between a vessel and a pressure relief valve must have

an area as big as the inlet of the relief valve.

The piping between a vessel and a pressure relief valve must

be done in a way that there is no significant pressure drop
between the vessel and the valve.
Outlet Piping Rules

Discharge lines must be

equipped with drains if water
can get in them.

Discharge lines must discharge

to a safe place.
 Effects of Bad Piping

Increasing Back Pressure

• Chattering
Reduce Capacity
• Prevents valve from protecting vessel
Reaction Forces
• Destroy valve and piping
Damage other Equipment or People
 Temperature Effects

Capacity Reduction
Set Pressure Difference
Seating Material
Valve Material
 How Often a Valve Should be Tested?

ASME states at regular intervals.

API RP 520 also provides guidelines for PSV applications

and maintenance

PSV’s protecting DOT/state jurisdictional systems must be

tested once each calendar year but not to exceed 15
months. (See CFR Part 192.195-201 for DOT PSV’s)
What Tests Should be Done for Each Testing
Period?

Visual Inspection

Set Pressure Test

Leak Test
 Visual Inspection

Seal wire is not broken.

No corrosion inside outlet.

No visible damage to valve.

Tag indicates proper service. (set

pressure, temperature, and flow
requirements)
 Set Pressure Test

ASME Code requires the actual set pressure of the valve to

be within ±3% over 70psi and ±2psi below 70psi.

Set pressure is determined on most Mercer valves by a

crisp “Pop.”
 Leak Test

API 527 leak test is performed at 90% of set pressure.

Can use SCFH gauge or soap film.

 When do I replace / repair a valve?

When the seal wire is broken.

When there is damage to the valve.

When there is corrosion inside the valve.

When the valve fails the set pressure test.

When the valve fails the leak test.

 How do I replace a valve with an equal?

Inlet and Outlet Connections.

Orifice Designation.

Set Pressure.

Service Temperature.
 Orifice Sizes

Orifice Mercer Spring Mercer

Letter Operated Pilots API
D 0.122 0.151 0.110
E 0.212 0.223 0.196
F 0.337 0.371 0.307
G 0.472 0.559 0.503
H 0.865 0.866 0.785
J 1.430 1.431 1.287
K 2.074 2.074 1.838
L 3.205 3.205 2.853
M 4.080 4.083 3.600

Orifice Sizes Do Vary by Manufacturer

Manufactures Tag

Tag includes
• Set Pressure
• Cold Differential Set
Pressure
• Capacity
• Temperature
• Date
• Part Number
 Who should repair a valve?

A certified VR repair facility.

Contact your nearest GE Oil & Gas
Facility