Intro To Relief Systems 2023 - R 2

Faculty of Chemical Engineering
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
INTRODUCTION TO RELIEF
SYSTEMS
Từ Hoàng Hoa Trân

In collaboration with The Faculty of Chemical Engineering of Ho
Chi Minh City University of Technology /Ho Chi Minh National
University
1
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ESSENCE OF PRESSURE RELIEVING
STRATEGY (API STD 521)
3. INTRODUCTION TO CANADA CODES AND
STANDARDS
4. BASIC OPERATION OF PRESSURE RELIEF
TABLE OF DEVICES
CONTENTS 5. SIZING PROCEDURE FOR LIQUID (NON-
COMPRESSIBLE) AND GAS/VAPOR
(COMPRESSIBLE FLUIDS)
6. SIZING EXAMPLE PROBLEMS (Rupture
disk, Pressure Safety Valve)
7. References
2
• Process system may experience

overpressure due to equipment or power
failure, human error, fires or natural
disasters.
• To prevent catastrophic failure of
1. equipment, a relief system is designed to
provide an escape flow path to divert and
INTRODUCTION contain built-up material, or disperse
energy. This mechanism protects process
equipment and system from being over-
pressurized above specified maximum limit.
• Disposal system may include process unit
to recover valuable components, or treat
hazardous relieved material for safe release
to the environment or to storage ponds.
3
1. INTRODUCTION (CONT’D)
• Purpose of presentation:
– Provide students with a fundamental knowledge of Relief
Systems and applicable Codes and Standards to support
their evaluation, sizing and selection of PRD’s in typical
overpressure scenarios.
• The following key aspects of Relief Systems will be

discussed:
– Essence of Pressure Relieving Strategy
– Codes and Standards governing Relief Systems
– Types and characteristics of Pressure Relief Devices
– Sizing procedure for liquid or vapor relief.
Sample problems are included to illustrate the application of

sizing procedure to specific overpressure scenarios.
4
2.1 Introduction
2. - Typical Relief System
ESSENCE OF - Layer Of Protection Analysis
PRESSURE context
RELIEVING 2.2 Usual Causes of overpressure

STRATEGY & determination of relieving rate
2.3 Overpressure protection
Design Philosophy
2.4 Relieving Conditions as basis
for Relief design
5
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Purpose of Relief Systems:
- Designed to prevent system pressure from exceeding
equipment pressure limits.
Ø Protect weakest parts of the system from overpressure by
venting the excess pressure to a dedicated relief circuit for
final disposal.
Ø 2nd role: Handle and dispose relieved effluents safely and
environmentally.
Key features of relieving strategy:

– Self-activating, fail-safe safety system
– Has adequate relieving capacity to handle “worst case”
overpressure scenarios
– Hazardous material is treated before released to
ambience, and
– Meets government Codes and Standards.
6
2.1 INTRODUCTION (CONT’D)
TYPICALRELIEF SYSTEM: PSV’S, COLLECTION HEADER & DOWNSTREAM FACILITIES
To
Atmosphere
Çw9!Ça9bÇ⁪ w9/hë9wò‫ ﺘ‬5 L{th{![
hC w9[L9ë95 C[ÜL5{
QUENCH DRUM, KNOCK-OUT POT

RECOVERY SYSTEM, E.G. FLARE GAS
THERMAL & CATALYTICINCINERATOR
FLARE STACK
SEWAGE, WASTE STORAGE POND, ETC…
PRESSURE VESSEL
TO BE PROTECTED
To Pond
DISCHARGE TYPES:
• Open discharge (to atmosphere): non-flammable, non-toxic nor harmful fluids.
Example: Air, Steam, Nitrogen, Water.
• Closed discharge: to recover valuable fluids, and dispose flammable, reactive,
toxic or hazardous process fluids.

7
TYPICAL FLARE GAS RECOVERY SYSTEM, e.g. to recover light ends gases
API STD 521 - Flare Gas Recovery System
1 Treater Feed Control 5 Water Knock Out Drum

2 Flare Gas Treater 6 Water Seal Pot
3 Flare Gas from Other Units 7 Flare stack
4 Flare Header

8
LAYER OF PROTECTION ANALYSIS (LOPA) HIERARCHY
Relief system is considered an engineering control measure of last
resort for overpressure protection.
It should be noted for some overpressure scenarios, e.g. water
hammer (ultra fast shock wave) or flashing of entrained water in feed
to distillation tower (huge expansion ratio), it is more effective to
prevent them from happening through administrative controls.
Relief Systems is the 5th layer of protection in LOPA hierarchy of
controls.
1. Safe process design
2. Basic process control
3. Alarms and Operator’s response
4. Safety Instrumented Systems
5. Relief system
6. Physical barriers
Fall 2023 9
2.2 USUAL CAUSES OF OVERPRESSURE & DETERMINATION
OF RELIEVING RATE REQUIRED (API 521, SECTION 4)
INTRODUCTION
• Overpressure is caused by one of the two reasons below OR both:
- Direct pressure input from a higher pressure source, or
- Heat input (or lack of cooling)
– The scenarios of overpressure we’ll discuss fall into these 2 categories.
• API 521, Section 4 describes in great details the spirit of overpressure
protection. It is an excellent resource, both as a guide for relief systems,
and for learning.
• The main ideas in Section 4 are presented as follows,
– Summary of usual causes of overpressure
– Usual causes of overpressure & determination of required relieving capacity,
– Relief design philosophy, and
– Relief conditions as basis for Relief design

Fall 2023 10
OF RELIEVING RATE REQUIRED (API 521, SECTION 4)
Summary of usual causes of overpressure

1. Closed Outlets
2. Loss of cooling water to overhead condenser
3. Entrance of Volatile Fluid – water/volatile material in hot oil
4. Liquid Overfill
5. Failure of Control Valves
6. Equipment failure – Heat exchanger tube rupture
7. Hydraulic (Thermal) Expansion of Liquids
8. Utility Failure (Power, Steam, Instrument Air & Cooling system)
9. Fire
10. Transient Pressure Surges (Water/Steam Hammer)
Human error is also a contributing factor to overpressure events, and

included in above causes.

Fall 2023 11
OF RELIEVING RATE REQUIRED
1. Blocked outlet flow – while feed continues
Cause: vessel outlet valve failed or closed inadvertently, or product from
chemical reaction blocks flow. Source pressure exceeds pressure limits of
downstream equipment.
Relief system is required to protect downstream equipment
Guideline: (MAWP = maximum allowable working pressure)
Equipment PRD requirement
Centrifugal pump Required only IF discharge Pressure > MAWP
Positive displacement pump Required
Reciprocating Air compressors
(with shut-off pressure switch)
- Interstage Required (to prevent overloading connecting rod)
- Last stage Required
- Receiver tank Required
Relief requirement: highest pump-in rate, or total vapor-in + generated, at

Relieving Conditions (generally lower than at operating conditions)
Faculty of Chemical Engineering 12
2.2 USUAL CAUSES OF OVERPRESSURE… (CONT’D)
2. Loss of Cooling Water to Overhead Condensers
Cause: mechanical or power failure shut down CW
system or reflux pump. Loss of reflux results in
condenser flooding & eventually loss of condensing.
Overpressure is caused by loss of condensing
Guideline:
Relief requirement = total incoming vapour to
condenser, with available heat input at relief time,
adjusted to relieving pressure condition,
For partial condenser case, subtract vapor out (at
relieving condition) from total incoming vapour.
13
2.2 PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF OVERPRESSURE… (CONT’D)
3. Entrance of Volatile into the System, e.g. Water in Hot oil
Cause: Inadvertent introduction of water or volatile material into
process containing high temperature fluid (e.g. distillation tower, surge
vessel) creates excessive amount vapor.
Because the amount of water or volatile liquid is unknown, and the
speed and expansion rate from liquid to vapor is enormous, it is not
possible to properly design a PRV for this overpressure scenario.
Ø Overpressure is best handled by avoidance of circumstances through
administrative controls
Mitigation for consideration

– Design water side to be at lower pressure than hot oil side,
– Avoid water pockets (which later gets entrained into hot oil).
– Ensure water/oil separation system works effectively (e.g. in crude
desalting, tank farm dewatering) to avoid feedstock contamination.

14
4. LIQUID OVERFILL
Cause: Experience shows equipment with liquid
level, e.g. surge vessels, columns, towers,… can be
overfilled under certain conditions, such as faulty
instrumentation or human error.
Guideline:
• Relief requirement = maximum pump-in rate
Additional complications to be concerned about:
• Liquid discharge from relief system needs
containment. Typically not released to atmosphere.
• Need to verify piping and structural design is
adequate at overfill condition.
15
5. FAILURE OF CONTROL VALVES
• Control valve failure can be caused by
instrument failure or misoperation
• For that reason, valve is assumed to fail in the
undesirable position regardless of its designed
fail safe position (API 521)
– Inlet valve assumed to fail in 100% open position
(wide open)
– Outlet valve assumed to fail in 0% open position
(completely closed)

16
5. FAILURE OF CONTROL VALVES (CONT’D)
A) INLET VALVE FAILURE (FULLY OPEN)
Cause: When inlet valve goes wide open, the increased
flow from higher pressure feed source can overpressure
downstream equipment.
Relief requirement.
Increased flow to be relieved = max flow through wide
open valve (using Cv from manufacturer) – minimum
design flow.
Max & min flows adjusted for relief conditions:
Upstream pressure = normal inlet pressure
Downstream pressure = relieving pressure
17
B) INLET VALVE FAILURE – VAPOR BREAKTHROUGH
HP vapor
HP separator
LV1
LV1 wide open failure drains all liquid in HP

separator to LP separator.
This allows HP vapor to reach LP separator and LP separator
overpressure it. LV2
Relief requirement = max flow through LV1 (at

100% open) adjusted for LP separator at relief
pressure. HP separator at normal pressure.
18
2.2 PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF OVERPRESSURE… (CONT’)
C) OUTLET VALVE FAILURE (FULLY CLOSED) – ALSO
BLOCKED OUTLET CASE
Cause: When outlet valve is close, the

accumulation of material can cause
overpressure.
Relief requirement = maximum inlet flow at
relieving conditions

19
6. HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE RUPTURE
Cause: High pressure material (tube side) enters lower
pressure shell side.
ASME requires heat exchanger to be protected by PRD if
internal tube rupture causes overpressure.
Guideline:
Leak rate estimated as flow through 2 times the cross
section area of a single tube.
Leak rate estimated using flow through orifice formulas for
Liquid, Gas (subsonic) and Gas (sonic) flow.
Relief requirement = Leak rate

20
7. HYDRAULIC (THERMAL) EXPANSION
Cause: Trapped fluid expands as temperature increases.
Source of heat: Solar radiation, heat tracing, fire
• Cold side of heat exchanger blocked in (being bypassed) with flow
in the hot side
• Blocked-in pipeline/vessel filled with liquid heated by sun radiation,
heat tracing or fire.
Relief requirement (API 521): Hydraulic expansion estimated from expansion
coefficient & heat flux
Relief rate: gpm = 𝐵𝐻/(500𝐺𝐶),
B= coefficient of expansion per deg F, H= total heat transfer rate Btu/h, G=
specific gravity, 𝐶! = specific heat Btu/lbm-degF
Because relieving fluid is liquid, thermal relief PSV is usually small. Commonly
used: DN20xDN25 PSV

21
8. UTILITY FAILURE
Analysis of overpressure due to Utility failure is quite complex for
following reasons:
– 3 Categories of failure: local, unit wide, site wide
– Failure cascades to other dependant systems, e.g. power failure
affects cooling water system, instrumentation, machinery, etc.
– Simultaneous release from multiple PRDs or a short time between
each other may overload disposal system
Utility failures are divided into following types:

– Power, Steam, Instrument Air and Cooling system.
General rule is to examine every part of plant operation under

each type of failure, and analyze circumstances of overpressure.

22
9. EXTERNAL FIRE
• Fire is the worst case of overpressure, caused by
vaporization and thermal expansion of internal
fluids.
• Fire exposure may also weaken equipment
material resulting in premature collapse before
overpressure.
• Sizing procedure to determine required relief
capacity in case of pool fire is illustrated in next
slides.
• Students is referred to Section 4 of API STD 521
for a complete treatment of Relief System in Fire
Case.

23
9. EXTERNAL FIRE (CONT’D)
Determination of required relief capacity in case
of Pool Fire (API STD 521- Section 4)
• Overpressure is treated as either caused by
vaporization of liquids in vessel with liquids,
OR thermal expansion of gas/vapor in vessel
containing only gas/vapor. But not both.
• Relief capacity is calculated for both cases.
Select the largest calculated PSV flow area.
ØOverpressure by vaporization usually requires
a larger relief.

24
Determination of required relief capacity in case of Pool Fire
Vessel containing liquids
• Heat absorbed by process fluid,
– 𝑄! = Constant * Radiant Heat Flux * “Wetted areas”^0.82 (of vessel
exposed to fire)
Values of Constant, Heat flux & “Wetted areas” are defined in API 521
• Relief Requirement = Vaporization Rate
– 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑓! = Heat absorbed 𝑄! /Latent heat of vaporization
• Minimum PSV Flow Area determined from sizing equation for
compressible fluid (we haven’t shown you yet)
– 𝐴! = using compressible fluids sizing equation

25
Determination of required relief capacity in case of Pool Fire
Vessel containing gas/vapors
Radiant heat is absorbed through “Unwetted surfaces” of
pressure vessel. Overpressure is caused by thermal expansion
of gas/vapor.
The heat absorption equation in this case directly yields the
minimum PSV flow area required to relieve overpressure:
% ! ∗'("#$%&&%'
– 𝐴"#$ =
)(%)*%+
where 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑓 = vessel pressure at
relieving conditions
– F’, A’ are defined in API 521
Ø Select the larger of 𝐴! , 𝐴"#$ for selecting PSV.

26
10. TRANSIENT PRESSURE SURGES (WATER/STEAM HAMMER)
Cause: Rapid closure of valves can create hydraulic shock
waves in liquid, water hammer. Peaks of pressure oscillations
are many times the normal pressure, and can damage vessels
and piping.
In compressible fluid, rapid valve closure creates oscillating
pressure surges called steam hammer. They cause movement
and vibration of pipelines, and possibly equipment rupture.
Guideline:
Due to their slow response, PRVs are not recommended.
Mitigations to be considered:
- Avoid quick-closing valves,
- Install accumulators, pulsation dampeners, surge valve in
water hammer case.
27
2.3 RELIEF DESIGN PHILOSOPHY (CONT’D)
Relief design philosophy is based on the following
guidelines, thoughts & ideals:
• Overpressure is caused by an imbalance in the

normal flow of material and energy. Energy
imbalance eventually manifests as an increase in
vapor generation or temperature.
• Relief systems should be simple, reliable and
economic. But should never compromise safety.
• Design should be conservative. Only credits
allowed by Codes and Standards should be taken
to reduce relief requirement.

28
• Worst case scenario
– Overpressure in a single system may have several
causes which should be all considered: equipment
failure, human error, fire and external conditions.
– The most difficult aspect in sizing relief systems is
selecting the most significant cause of
overpressure, also called as “worst case”
scenario.
– Decision is a combination of adherence to
standards & engineering judgement.
– Usually relief is sized for the largest relief
requirement by volume instead of by mass. Gas
relief usually requires a larger PSV flow area than
Liquid relief.
29
• Exclude double jeopardy events
- Simultaneous occurrence of 2 or more unrelated
causes of overpressure is not considered in design of
relief. Rationale: not a credible relief case due to low
probability of occurrence
- 2 causes of overpressure are unrelated if not
connected by process, mechanical or electrical links.
Or if sufficient time has elapsed between the 2 events.
• Cascaded events are included
– If an event causes a 2nd event to occur, it is not
“double jeopardy”, e.g. a fire causing a power failure.
Both consequences are combined as one relief case.
• Relief is required when there is a risk to people
30
2.4 RELIEVING CONDITIONS AS BASIS FOR DESIGN
A) NON-FIRE CASE Equipment PRV
Pressure Pressure % Specification %
Equipment MAWP MAWP
Specification %
MAWP
Maximum relieving
pressure, multiple Used in sizing
Allowable pressure reliefs
values reached in Relief requirement
equipment
Maximum
Maximum relieving
relieving
Maximum
pressure, relieving
pressure, single relief
pressure, single
single relie
relief
Key message:
Sizing to Relief Conditions Set pressure
instead of Normal
Operating Conditions
results in smaller relief
requirement.
31
2.4 RELIEVING CONDITIONS AS BASIS FOR DESIGN (CONT’D)
B) FIRE CASE
Pressure Equipment PRV
Equipment Pressure % Specification
Specification % Maximum
relieving pressure.
Allowable Used in sizing
pressure values
which can be
Relief
reached in requirement
equipment
Key message:
Sizing to Relief Maximum relieving
pressure, single
relie
Conditions instead of
Normal Operating
Conditions results in Set pressure
smaller relief
requirement.

32
3.
INTRODUCTION
TO CANADA & 3.1 Canada Codes & Standards
a. ASME Section VIII
US CODES b. API 521, API 520 – Part 1, API
526
AND 3.2 Allowable pressure limits in Relief
STANDARDS System design (MAWP, set pressure,
Accumulated pressure,
reclosing pressure (blowdown):
single, multiple PRDs and
Fall 2023 33
3. INTRODUCTION TO CANADA & US CODES AND STANDARDS
• The following documents govern the design,
sizing and selection of Pressure Relief
Devices (PRD’s).
• American Petroleum Institute (API)
a. Standard 520 Part I, Sizing and Selection of Pressure
Relief Devices.
b. Standard 521. A great reference covering fundamental
information about overpressure and pressure relief
systems.
c. Standard 526. Table of Orifice sizes & PRV Capacity
is the commonly used section.
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) Boiler & Pressure Vessel Codes,
a. Section VIII, Paragraphs UG-125-136
34
INTRODUCTION TO CANADA&US CODES AND STANDARDS (CONT’D)
API Standard 521
• A wealth of information addressing all aspects
of overpressure protection.
• The following information are particularly
important to process engineer when
approaching Relief Systems design:
– Overpressure scenarios,
– Relieving Rate calculation method (also in API
520, Part I),
– Discussion of disposal systems: role, factors
influencing selection and design & method to
establish design ‘load’.

35
3.2 Allowable Pressure Limits in Relief System
• API 520 Part I: Allowable accumulated pressure limits (accumulation) for

pressure vessel protected by single/multiple PRVs (ASME Code – Section VIII)

36
4.
BASIC 4.1 Spring activated PRV
OPERATION OF 4.2 Balanced PRV (bellow & piston type)
PRESSURE 4.3 Pilot operated PRV
4.4 Rupture disks
RELIEF
DEVICES
Fall 2023 37
5.
SIZING
PROCEDURE FOR
LIQUID (NON- 5.1 Objective
COMPRESSIBLE) 5.2 Flow Formula
AND GAS/VAPOR 5.3 Sizing Procedure (API 520 Part 1)
(COMPRESSIBLE) 5.4 Reference to 2-phase flow (API
520, Appendix D)
Fall 2023 38
5.1 OBJECTIVE
• Objective
– Determine PRD minimum discharge area to meet
required relieving rate.
• Procedure in sizing and selecting PRDs

39
Standard defined areas

40
5.1 OBJECTIVE
Procedure used in sizing and selecting PRDs consist of;
• establish set pressure where valve is to open,
• determined required relieving capacity, and
• Calculate the required orifice area of the valve.
Set pressure & relieving conditions are determined by codes and

standards,
Set pressure: 100%MAWP, 105%, 116% (fire case)
Relieving conditions for use in sizing procedure: 110%, 116% and
121% (fire case)
Required Relieving capacity is determined from a worst case analysis

of overpressure scenarios for this particular system. Choice of worst
case scenario follows Guide for relief system and also from good
engineering judgement.
After set pressure and relieving capacity have been determined, the
relieving area of a PRV can be calculated.

41
5.2 FORMULAS
Isentropic flow model for homogeneous fluids
is the core assumption in sizing formula (API
520 2020)
3 formulas
- 1 for liquid
- 1 for gas sub-sonic flow
- 1 for gas sonic flow

42
5.2 FORMULAS

43
5.2 FORMULAS

44
5.2 FORMULAS

45
5.4 Sizing for 2-phase Liquid/Vapor Relief (for reference only)
• API Standard 520 Part I, 10th edition, October
2020.
• Annex C, page 125-146. Sizing for Two-Phase
Liquid/Vapor Relief
• The following is a summary of 2 methods

published in API STD 520, Annex C for sizing
two-phase

46
5.4 SIZING FOR 2-PHASE LIQUID/VAPOR RELIEF (for information only)
API Standard 520 Part I, 10th edition, October 2020.
Annex C, page 125-146. Sizing for Two-Phase
Liquid/Vapor Relief
• Two-phase flow sizing is a complex process as phase
change may occur as the mixture fluid goes through
PRD.
• It is recommended to consult with specialist when
sizing PRD for two-phase mixtures.
• API STD 520- Part I devotes a full Annex C to describe
two sizing approaches, HEM and Omega methods.
• Students are invited to read Annex C carefully for
additional understanding of the calculation methods
and their applicability, and when approaching them for
sizing.
• A brief outline of these two methods is presented for
general information only.
47
5.4 Sizing for 2-phase Liquid/Vapor Relief (for information only)
• Two phase flow occurs in a variety of scenarios:
– Liquid vaporizes within PRV,
– 2-phase mixture enters PRV,
– Vapor condenses in PRV, and
– Supercritical fluid enters PRV & condenses
• Two methods for sizing:
– Based on Homogeneous Equilibrium Model and
isentropic flow through nozzle,
– Based on the Lung Omega method, also a version +!
of
HEM, but using a new parameter omega, ω= 9 (+ -
"
1). 𝑣, : specific volume at 90% relieving pressure (by
isentropic flash calculation). 𝑣- ∶ speci*ic volume at
PRV inlet @ relieving conditions (inlet pressure = set
pressure + allowable overpressure (accumulation))

48
• Two-Phase Liquid/Vapor Relief Scenarios and Applicable Sizing

Methods as described in API 520-Part I, Annex C
Two-phase Liquid/Vapor Relief Scenarios Section in Annex C,
API 520 - Part I
(2020, 10th edition)
Two-phase liquid vapor mixture enters PRV and liquid flashes C2.1 (HEM)
(flashing fluid). No non-condensable gas present. C2.2 (Omega)
Also includes fluids which condense in two-phase flow.
Two-phase mixture of, Highly subcooled liquid + {non- C2.1 (HEM)
condensable gas + condensable vapor} enters PRV. Liquid C2.2 (Omega)
does not flash.
Two-phase mixture of, Subcooled or saturated liquid + {non- C2.1 (HEM)
condensable gas + condensable vapor} enters PRV. Liquid C2.2 (Omega)
flashes.
Subcooled liquid enters PRV. No condensable vapor nor non- C2.1 (HEM)
condensable gas enters PRV C2.3 (Omega)

49
HEM method
• Two-phase mixture behaves as a pseudo-homogeneous single

phase fluid, density is volumetric average of density of liquid &
vapor phases.
• Determine Mass flux G by integrating the isentropic nozzle flow
equation, from relieving pressure@ at nozzle inlet to nozzle
discharge pressure.
– Isentropic flash calculation is used to determine phase densities at
lower pressures, to be used by the integration.
• If G reaches a maximum before integration ends at nozzle
discharge pressure, flow through nozzle is sonic. This location is
called nozzle “throat”, pressure is called Pthroat
• If integration ends at nozzle discharge pressure before G reaches a
maximum, flow is sub-sonic. The value of G from the full integration
is the highest value achievable for the given pressure drop (Prelief –
Pdischarge).
• PRV minimum Area = “throat” area = Relieving rate/Highest value
of G* conversion & correction factor.

Fall 2023 50
Omega method
• Instead of integrating nozzle flow, the highest

mass flux at sonic & sub-sonic flow is determined
by 2 equations involving the ω parameter
– Isentropic flash calculation is used to determine
liquid/vapor densities at 90% of relieving pressure.
• Value of ω determines critical pressure, from
which behavior of flow through PRV is
determined.
• Highest mass flux is determined based on
whether flow is sonic or sub-sonic.
• PRV minimum Area = “throat” area = Relieving
rate/Highest value of G* conversion & correction
factor.
Fall 2023 51
7. REFERENCES
1. Chemical Process Safety, Fundamentals with Applications, 3rd ed.

(2011). D.A. Crowl & J.F. Louvar, Prentice Hall.
2. Pressure Relieving Systems Training course (2006). Suncor/The Equity
Engineering Group.
3. API RP 520: Sizing, selection & installation of Pressure relieving
devices. Part I: Sizing & Selection (2014). Part II: Installation (2005).
4. API RP 521: Pressure Relieving/ Depressurizing Systems (2014).
5. Anderson Greenwood, Crosby – Technical Seminar Manual (2001)
6. LESER Engineering, Technical Manual (2018).
7. FIKE Technical Bulletin TB8102-1: Rupture Disc Sizing (2009)
8. FIKE White Paper (2013). Use of Rupture Discs in combination with
Relief Valves
Fall 2023 52

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Faculty of Chemical Engineering

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Từ Hoàng Hoa Trân

• Process system may experience

• The following key aspects of Relief Systems will be

Sample problems are included to illustrate the application of

RELIEVING 2.2 Usual Causes of overpressure

Key features of relieving strategy:

QUENCH DRUM, KNOCK-OUT POT

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

API STD 521 - Flare Gas Recovery System

1 Treater Feed Control 5 Water Knock Out Drum

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Summary of usual causes of overpressure

Human error is also a contributing factor to overpressure events, and

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Relief requirement: highest pump-in rate, or total vapor-in + generated, at

Mitigation for consideration

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

LV1 wide open failure drains all liquid in HP

Relief requirement = max flow through LV1 (at

Cause: When outlet valve is close, the

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Utility failures are divided into following types:

General rule is to examine every part of plant operation under

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ø Select the larger of 𝐴! , 𝐴"#$ for selecting PSV.

• Overpressure is caused by an imbalance in the

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• API 520 Part I: Allowable accumulated pressure limits (accumulation) for

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Set pressure & relieving conditions are determined by codes and

Required Relieving capacity is determined from a worst case analysis

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• The following is a summary of 2 methods

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• Two-Phase Liquid/Vapor Relief Scenarios and Applicable Sizing

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• Two-phase mixture behaves as a pseudo-homogeneous single

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

• Instead of integrating nozzle flow, the highest

1. Chemical Process Safety, Fundamentals with Applications, 3rd ed.

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