RUPTURE DISK & RUPTURE PIN

WORKING PRINCIPLE
Rupture Disk 
• A Rupture Disk is a non-reclosing pressure relief device actuated by static differential pressure between the
inlet and outlet of the device and designed to function by the bursting of a rupture disk.

• Rupture disks are used where instantaneous and full opening of a pressure relief device is required. These
devices protect vessels, piping and other pressurized systems from excessive pressure and/or vacuum.

• The rupture disk is oriented with the process fluid/gas against the concave side of the disk. As the pressure
of process fluid/gas increases beyond the allowable operating pressure, the rupture disk starts to grow. This
growth continues as the pressure increases until the tensile strength of the material is reached, and rupture
occurs. 

Overpressure occurs

(Normal condition) (Ruptured condition)

 RUPTURE DISK & RUPTURE PIN
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Rupture Pin
• A Rupture Pin is actuated by inlet static pressure. This device is designed to function by breaking a load-
carrying section of a pin that supports a pressure-containing member. An O-ring on the piston is used to
make bubble-tight seal.
• A breaking pin device usually consists of a piston on a seat, retrained from movement to the open position
by a slender round pin. The pin buckles at set point from an axial force caused by the system pressure
acting on the piston area. The buckling point of the pin is determined by unrestrained pin length, the pin
diameter and the modulus of elasticity of the pin material.
• The breaking  pin device can be designed to sense system pressure only, or differential pressure only. The
device can have a set pressure from 0.1 to 35 000 psi.

Overpressure occurs

Normal Condition Ruptured Condition

 RUPTURE DISK & RUPTURE PIN
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
Benefits Drawbacks
Simple, lightweight & reliable compared to other PSV One-time application only – requires replacement
when burst
Can react fast and relieve excess pressure quickly  System need to be shut down if replacement of disc is
needed
Can be utilized for both liquid and gas applications **Can degrade with age/corrosion
No maintenance required  Cannot be tested

RECOMMENDED APPLICATION

PRIMARY CASE SECONDARY CASE COMBINATION CASE EXTERNAL FIRE CASE

When using single safety device
ASME CODE shall be set as lower than MAWP when
a Rupture Disc is used as an only safety device, and
it should be the size that can prevent increase of
pressure over 10% or over 3psi.
When using single safety device
When multiple devices are used, only one safety
device needs to be set to have lower pressure than
MAWP. The pressure set for the rest of safety
devices cannot exceed 105% of MAWP except FIRE
CASE. Pressure container shall have the size that can
prevent increase more than 16% of MAWP or 4psi.
In case of the combination with safety valve
Rupture Disc device can be installed between
safety valve and process or exit of safety valve
when sufficient discharge capacity is guaranteed.
It prevents leakage through pressure safety valve
and protects safety valves from corrosions. When
it is installed at the entrance side, the actual
discharge capacity is considered as 90% of the
discharge capacity marked at the safety valve
(When it is tested under the same conditions, the
actual capacity is acknowledged).  discharge device should be able to prevent pressure increase
When it is used as a safety device against external fire
If there are additional hazardous elements such as fire or
unexpected external heat, there should be additional
pressure discharge device to protect from the exceeding
pressure. In this case, it should have sufficient discharge not
to increase pressure over 21% of MAWP. Set pressure shall
not exceed 110% of MAWP. When compressed liquid gas
without permanent supply connection is stored in room
temperature, it should be able to protect pressure container
from external heat sources including fire and the pressure
over 20% of MAWP.