Understanding what the customer wants…making it happen!

Terminology

1
 Definition of Terms

Pressure Relief Valve

 A pressure relief device designed to open

and relieve excess pressure and to re-close
and prevent the further flow of fluid after
normal conditions have been restored.

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 Definition of Terms

Spring Loaded Pressure Relief Valve

 A pressure relief valve in which the opening
and closing of the valve is controlled by a
spring.

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 Definition of Terms

Pilot Operated Pressure Relief Valve

 A pressure relief valve in which the main
valve is combined with and controlled by an
auxiliary pressure relief valve (pilot
control).

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 Definition of Terms

Relief Valve

 A spring loaded pressure relief valve

actuated by the static pressure upstream of
the valve. The valve opens in proportion to
the pressure increase over the opening
pressure. Used primarily with liquid service
(non-compressible).

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 Definition of Terms

Safety Valve

 A spring loaded pressure relief valve

actuated by the static pressure upstream of
the valve and characterized by rapid
opening or pop action. Used primarily with
compressible (gas/vapor/steam) service.

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 Definition of Terms

Safety Relief Valve

 A spring loaded pressure relief valve that

may be used as either a safety or relief
valve depending on the application.

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 Definition of Terms

Conventional Pressure Relief Valve

 A spring loaded pressure relief valve whose
operational characteristics are directly
affected by changes in the back pressure on
the valve.

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 Definition of Terms

Balanced Pressure Relief Valve

 A spring loaded pressure relief
valve that incorporates a bellows
or other means for minimizing the
effect of back pressure on the
operational characteristics of the
valve.

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 Definition of Terms

Valve Seat

 The area of contact

between the valve
nozzle and disc.

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 Definition of Terms

Set Pressure
 The inlet gauge pressure at which the PRV is set to open.

Overpressure
 The pressure increase over the set pressure of the PRV
allowed to achieve rated flow.

Same as accumulation only when PRV is set to open at the MAWP.

Relieving Pressure (P1)

 The sum of the set pressure and overpressure and
atmospheric pressure.

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 Definition of Terms
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP)
 The maximum gauge pressure allowed at the top of a
completed vessel. Design pressure may be used instead
of MAWP in all cases where the MAWP has not been
established. Design pressure is equal to or less than
MAWP.

Accumulation
 The pressure increase over the MAWP of the vessel
allowed during discharge through the PRV (governed by
applicable codes).

Maximum Allowable Accumulated Pressure

 The sum of the MAWP and the accumulation.

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 Definition of Terms

Blowdown
 The difference between the set pressure and the closing
pressure of a PRV (expressed as a percentage of set
pressure).
Simmer
 The audible or visible escape of compressible fluid
between the seat and disc of the PRV

Typical values between 93 and 98% (depending on valve design)
Operating Pressure Ratio
 The ratio of operating pressure to set pressure.

Should not exceed 90%.

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 Definition of Terms

Cold Differential Test Pressure (CDTP)

 The pressure at which a pressure relief valve is adjusted
to open on the test stand. It includes corrections for the
service conditions f back pressure or temperature or
both.
Rated Relieving Capacity
 Relieving capacity used as the basis for the application of
a PRV, determined in accordance with applicable codes
or regulations and supplied by the manufacturer.

Rated capacity of steam, air or water as required by ASME Code.

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 Definition of Terms

Actual (ASME) Discharge Area

D
 The minimum net area that
determines the flow through the
valve.

2
D
A
4

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 Definition of Terms

Coefficient of Discharge (KD)

 The ratio of the mass flow rate in a valve to that of an
ideal nozzle (used for calculating flow through a PRV).

Nine (9) tests are required for each valve series
 Average of the 9 tests shall be the coefficient of discharge (as long
as each of the tests is ±5% of the average).
 Cannot be greater than 0.975.

De-rated Coefficient of Discharge (K)

 The product of the coefficient of discharge (KD) and 0.9
(a 10% de-rating factor mandated by the ASME).

The de-rated coefficient of discharge shall be used in all sizing
calculations and capacity calculations.

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 Definition of Terms

Back Pressure
 The pressure that exists at the outlet of a PRV as a result
of the pressure in the discharge system. It is the sum of
the superimposed and built-up back pressures.
Built-up Back Pressure
 The increase in pressure at the outlet of a PRV that
develops as a result of flow after the PRV opens. Always
variable!
Superimposed Back Pressure
 The static pressure that exists at the outlet of the PRV at
the time the valve is required to operate. It is the result
of pressure in the discharge system coming from other
sources and may be constant, variable or both.

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 Definition of Terms

Superimposed Back Pressure

Possible Pressure Source
CLOSED
DISCHARGE
HEADER SYSTEM
Possible Pressure Source

Possible Pressure Source

Protected
System

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 Pressure Relief Valve Operation
Effects of Back Pressure on a Conventional Valve

 Conventional valves show unsatisfactory performance when excessive

back pressure develops during a relief incident.
 The back pressure reduces the lifting force which holds the valve
open.
 Excessive variable back pressure can cause the valve to operate in an
unstable manner (chatter).

Can damage the valve and piping
 Superimposed back pressure acts to hold the disc closed with a force
additive to the spring force.

The actual spring setting can be reduced by an amount equal to
constant back pressure to compensate for this.
 Variable back pressure should not exceed the allowable
accumulation.

Otherwise, a bellows or pilot operated valve should be used

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 Pressure Relief Valve Operation

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 Pressure Relief Valve Operation

Effects of Back Pressure on a Bellows

Valve
 Balanced Bellows:

Excessive back pressure will produce a closing
force on the unbalanced portion of the disc.
 Reduction in lift
 Reduction in flow capacity

Back pressure correction factor varies
depending on the allowable accumulation.

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 Pressure Relief Valve Operation

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