Conventional Methods

All Vapor Relief

Single phase, compressible
Choking

Maximum flow which cannot be exceeded. Reached

when Pcf (critical flow throat pressure) > downstream
pressure (also known as critical flow rate)
Conventional vapor relief, consider equipment with
design pressure > or = 15 psig and API 520 /521 (less
than refer to API 2000)
Factors determining
Critical flow

- fluid physical properties

- system resistance to flow
- available pressure drop
- sonic velocity specific to the gas or vapor
 Vapor Relief
(Non fire case)

For the causes of vapor relief refer back to earlier

presentation discussing case studies during relief scenarios
(valve failure, overpressure, tube failure, power failure etc)
Do not consider double jeopardy in determining design
relief rate.
First determine whether choked flow exists (typically if
P1/P2 is around 1.8 - 2 choked flow should be expected)
Calculator Example
P IC
xx

F ro m P ro c e s s
P C V -x x x
FC
P S V -0 1

s e t @ 1 0 0 p s ig
P IT
xx

S to ra g e
Tank
5 ft
8 ft

2 0 ft
Problem statement

Argon is stored in a horizontal pressure bullet tank

Vessel Design pressure = 100 psig
Vessel Design temperature = 250 deg F
Tank Diameter = 8 ft
Tank T/T = 20 ft
 Identified relief case
(Non Fire exposure)

Allowable overpressure = 10 % (API 520 / 521)

Set pressure = 100 psig
Relieving pressure = 100 * 1.1 + 14.7 = 124.7 psia (incl. accumulation)

Identified relief case: Valve failure; max flowrate = 5370 lb/hr (required
relief rate)
Argon properties
P (operating) = 85 psig
T (operating) = 68 deg F
Compressibility = 1.0
Ratio specific heats = 1.67
MOC = carbon steel
Molecular weight = 40 lb / lb-mol
Calculators

Go to Calculator “ Vapor relief valve sizer”

Go to Calculator “Vapor rupture disk sizer”
Questions ?