Ensure Safe Operations with Relief Sizing in Aspen Plus® and Aspen

HYSYS®
Webinar Q&A
This document summarizes the responses to questions posed before and during the webinar. Additional
questions should be directed to AspenTech Support.

Q: Is PSV analysis available in Aspen Plus V7.3 or Aspen HYSYS V7.3?

A: No, this capability is not available in Version 7.3, therefore you will need to upgrade. We introduced a
number of new capabilities that are only available in Version 8.6. You can get the initial PSV capability in
Aspen HYSYS Version 8.3, but we recommend you move to Version 8.6.
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Q: What's the difference between Aspen Plus PSV sizing for V8.4 and V8.6?
A: With V8.3 and V8.4, Aspen implemented all API 520 and 521 calculations. With V8.6, the additional
features include: API 2000 calculations, multiple valve analysis, independent rupture disc analysis,
rigorous fire calculations, and enhanced improvement to Aspen Flare System Analyzer.
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Q: Are the multivalve and rigorous fire methods available in V8.4, or are these updates exclusively
available in V8.6?
A: The multivalve and rigorous fire methods are new features added exclusively to V8.6.
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Q: It would take a long time for my company to upgrade from V8.4 to V8.6. In order to have the
functionality of PSV in Aspen Plus V8.4, is there any other approach except upgrading to V8.6?
A: This varies based on your company. Check to see if individual engineers are allowed to upgrade if
your work requires it. The functionalities showcased today are only available in V8.6.
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Q: If we already have Version 8.2, is there an additional fee to upgrade to V8.6?

A: If your company is under the normal support agreement (which most companies are) there is no
additional charge for upgrading versions, and we encourage you to do so.
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Q: Which features come with Aspen HYSYS and which features require extra tokens?
A: Everything that we have introduced is included in the Base Aspen HYSYS and Base Aspen Plus, so
you can conduct this entire safety analysis with just the tokens required for Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS.
If you are a small end customer and you use the Aspen Engineering Desktop, the features are all
included there. The only scenario in which you would use additional tokens is if you export the analysis
into Flare Systems Analyzer. Flare Systems Analyzer is a program which requires separate token usage,
but everything else that we have showed is fully accessible for the tokens charged for Aspen HYSYS and
Aspen Plus.
Q: Is there any difference between the trial version and the licensed one?
A: We do offer a 30-day full-software trial version that has all the capabilities of our licensed version.
However, this trial version is only for non-customers.
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Q: I am planning to order University Teaching Modules for Aspen Plus. How should I proceed?
Can I get a discounted price?
A: Please contact our customer support line. They help universities get started at a reasonable price.
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Q: A group of students in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering from my university need to have
up-to-date Aspen HYSYS simulation software for their individual use. How can we obtain a
student license to achieve this purpose?
A: Please contact your administrator and have them contact us about updating your university’s
installation to the current version.
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Q: Is there a priority for correcting any issues within Aspen HYSYS Safety Analysis in V8.4?
A: We base our priority on a case-by-case basis, depending on how critical the issue is.
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Q: I see that for reliefs you're using SI units. I work in the US and usually have to use English
units. I've never been able to get them to work properly. Has this been fixed?
A: Yes, with V8.6 you can convert between SI and EN units.
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Q: Does this program work for vacuum relief?

A: Yes, vacuum relief is handled in the low pressure storage tank, API 2000 calculations (part of the
inbreathing and out breathing calculations). Outside of low pressure tank vacuum, we don’t handle
vacuum relief.
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Q: Does outlet size pressure drop give an error message if the DP is higher?
A: Yes, it does. You can also customize the warnings that are shown. We provide a full set of errors and
recommendations. A message will appear on the bottom of the Safety Analysis environment screen
guiding the user to address any inconsistencies or errors. Some information for troubleshooting general
errors can be found in the F1 Help function within Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS.
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Q: Can you provide a more detailed example of determining the actual relieving flow for a more
complex scenario, such as cooling failure, loss of reflux on a column, etc? Is there a more
detailed session planned, or specific training available?
A: Relieving flow can be calculated for the following scenarios in the Safety Analysis environment:
Control Valve Failure, Exchanger Tube Rupture, Fan Failure, Fire, Reflux Failure, and Thermal
Expansion. Details of each scenario can be found in the F1 Help function within Aspen Plus and Aspen
HYSYS. We have a plan in the near future to break up our webinar series, separating them into beginner
lessons and more advanced lessons. In the more advanced lessons, we plan to discuss best practices
that analyze the more complex scenarios that you mention. We do not have anything specifically planned.
However, we think that this is a great idea, and we are certainly looking into it.
Q: You have presented new issues related to safety. Is there a complete course to apply Aspen
Plus to safety analysis?
A: We are currently adding more computer based training, related to the engineering functions people are
trying to perform. We also have Jump Start Guides and on-line training to help you use the software. We
will consider this suggestion for additional training.
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Q: Are there any specific factors for certain manufacturers for PSV's or RD's?
A: Vendor specific valve data (i.e. custom orifices, discharge coefficient) are not included, and you will
have to manually enter those values.
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Q: How do you get the API 2000 7th edition with annex in V8.6?
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A: The 7 edition with annex is available if you go to AspenTech Support. On the left-hand side of the
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home page, there is a tab called “patches” and the 7 edition is found in “Cumulative Patch 1”.
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Q: Is some database information necessary before starting PSV calculations in Aspen HYSYS or
Aspen Plus?
A: We use a runtime Access Database, so the user doesn't need to set one up. Some basic information is
required before beginning your analysis. The process conditions for normal operating conditions, an idea
of the pressure profile in the system, and how that profile reacts to different scenarios, is the level of
information required before beginning the analysis of PSVs. Everything else is determined from the
Safety Analysis Environment.
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Q: What does the documentation look like?

A: Documentation can be found through the built-in reports and can be saved in report format.
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Q: Is the documentation done manually or automatically?

A: All the data from the simulators are automatically written to the reports and extra notes are added
manually by the engineers.
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Q: Can the documentation be customized with the enterprise logo and formats?
A: Yes, you can export documentation into standard office formats.
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Q: We have a project where we have to simulate the full flare network, can this support that?
A: Yes, the Flare System Analyzer can handle full flare headers, loops, knockout drums, etc.
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Q: What is the basis for the engineering analysis to predict chatter?

A: Valve chatter is highlighted as a potential concern any time the required capacity is less than 60% of
the rated capacity.
Q: Do you have a reference for the 60% chatter determination?
A: The 60% criteria is highlighted as a good engineering practice to ensure that the relief valve opens
fully to the specified relief pressure, as described in the article “Relief device inlet piping: Beyond the 3
percent rule” by Smith, Burgess, and Powers.
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Q: Is one standard PSV modeled or is there an option to model pilot styled relief valves?
A: All of those models (conventional, balanced bellows, pilot-operated) can be selected. On the PRD
Data Tab, you can specify the specific valve type. You can then further modify the valve through the
Customize Tab on the Ribbon, giving additional flexibility in your analysis.
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Q: Does your PSV system account for pilot valves, as some of these have modulating flow, which
is not the maximum relieving capacity?
A: The only item specifically accounted for with pilot valves is that, by default, a pilot operated valve is
specified to handle 75% of the set pressure as maximum allowable backpressure. For pressure drop
calculations, the user must appropriately identify whether to use the required or rated capacity of the
valve for the sizing case scenario.
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Q: Can relief information be imported from another relief sizing program (i.e. Siemens PPM)?
A: No, the format of the Siemens database is completely different from the AspenTech database. We
provide the ability to store data (vessel dimensions, etc.) in the Aspen HYSYS simulation, allowing you to
use this simulation fully to the extent you use PSPPM.
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Q: Can ARC data be input to estimate relief sizing? Can your software also provide reaction
information for the runaway reactions from ARC data?
A: In Aspen Plus, we have a PRD Rating Utility, similar to the De-pressuring Utility in Aspen HYSYS,
which provides the maximum relief flow required during a runaway reaction, as well as the composition at
the peak required flow rate. The composition and flow rate must then be used to create a stream in the
simulation environment. You can then reference that stream data in your Safety Analysis Environment.
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Q: Can we import other simulator files, such as PRO-II, VMG into Aspen Fare Analyzer?
A: You’ll need to contact other vendors to get complete answer. In general, our goal is to create a highly
functional integrated environment within the products that we offer.
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Q: In the presentation, you manually entered the required relief load, but it was not shown how to
calculate it. Do you have the tools available to calculate required relief load?
A: The scenarios, which are colored differently, have calculation modules for the required relief load: fire,
thermal expansion, tube rupture, and control valve failure.
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Q: Does the inlet pressure of the relief valve take into account the pressure drop in the line
sizing?
A: No, the user would have to manually decrease the inlet pressure to the relief valve after the line sizing
calculation is complete.
Q: Can the line sizing calculations be done for different scenarios?
A: Yes. The user must select a sizing case before line sizing can be completed. However, if you switch
the sizing case to another scenario, the results from the previous calculation are stored and available in
the scenario summary table in the Scenarios tab.
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Q: How can we calculate the Mach number & recommended line for the PSV outlet line?
A: We recommend that users export the analysis from Aspen HYSYS or Aspen Plus into Aspen Flare
System Analyzer. The Mach number, , and other important parameters are rigorously calculated within
that software.
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Q: Is it possible to rigorously model the flow in pipelines upstream and downstream of a relief
valve in Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS?
A: Yes, this is common. For any rigorous modeling it is encouraged to use the simulation environment.
All of the pertinent equations are implemented there. We recommend using the Hydraulics subflowsheet
available in the upstream section of the Model Palette for two-phase pipeline analysis. Single-phase
analysis can be completed using the pipe segment in the Common tab of the Model Palette.
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Q: Does this include a feature for blowdown valve sizing in HP separators?

A: For Aspen HYSYS, we recommend using the Depressuring Utility. For Aspen Plus, we recommend
using the PRD Rating Utility. The Depressuring Utility looks at the liquid and vapor inventory and how that
changes during the depressurization.
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Q: Does the rupture disc feature account for adjusting burst pressure for relief temperature
deviations from operating temperature?
A: Our rupture disc offerings are the flow resistance method. We don’t do any rupture disc analysis
outside of that, but we are always interested in hearing feedback.
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Q: Does the rupture disc analysis feature analyze hydraulic shock/water hammer activations?
A: No, it currently does not. They could be done using the Aspen HYSYS Hydraulic Solver.
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Q: Is there a recommended methodology for handling reactive component scenarios?

A: In terms of runaway reactor scenarios, that is in the domain on Aspen Plus. Aspen Plus offers a
rigorous calculation for reactor relief. We have an on-demand webinar available that goes through a
runaway reactor relief scenario that is beneficial to watch.
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Q: Who should I contact for references relating to reactive runaway analysis using Aspen Plus?
A: You can contact Anum at Anum.Qassam@aspentech.com.
Q: Can back pressures (built-up and constant/variable superimposed) be calculated in this
version?
A: The recommended methodology for calculating rigorous back pressure is Aspen Flare System
Analyzer. Preliminary backpressure calculations using the L/D method can be done in the Safety
Analysis environment, starting from V8.3.
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Q: How can we calculate or estimate the built-up back pressure for single safety valves?
A: We offer built-up back pressure calculations in the Safety Analysis environment in the line sizing tab.
You identify what the constant back pressure is, and then we will calculate the pressure drop across your
piping configuration and calculate the equivalent length. Then we’ll take the constant back pressure and
add it to the calculated pressure drop to get the back pressure at the outlet flange of the relief device.
You can get a more rigorous calculation in Aspen Flare System Analyzer. If you set up your whole flare
network, we’ll rigorously calculate the pressure drop from the flare tip across all the choke points on the
flare header to get the built-up back pressure at the discharge point. We provide a preliminary calculation
in the Safety Analysis Environment and a more rigorous one in Aspen Flare System Analyzer.
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Q: For multiple PSVs, how do you adjust inlet losses for sections of piping that share a common
flow for two or more relief devices?
A: Currently, the inlet and outlet piping is handled independently for the multiple valves. Common piping
is not specifically handled.
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Q: For the supercritical rigorous method, does it allow you to specify the number of time
increments?
A: The supercritical method does not work based on time, but instead does a temperature-based flash.
This allows users to change the time that is calculated by altering the number of flashes and maximum
temperature and allowing you to hone in on the region of interest.
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Q: Does PSV sizing use Aspen Plus Dynamics?

A: The Safety Environment is not linked to Aspen Plus Dynamics. This module is used for sizing and
documentation and takes information from the steady-state solver of Aspen Plus or the PRD Rating
module which was in Aspen Plus before.
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Q: We want to perform the dynamic simulation when the scenario is fire and where the flow and
pressure varies in time, is this possible?
A: Aspen HYSYS dynamics and Aspen Plus Dynamics have dynamic PSV models. You can simulate a
fire in Dynamics by applying a heat duty to the unit operation, and plotting the flow and pressure over
time. You can also use the PRD Rating Utility in Aspen Plus and the Depressuring Utility in Aspen
HYSYS to simulate a fire dynamically, generating plots of the flow and pressure over time using the Strip
Charts. We have material in Exchange and on the support website that fully describe the aforementioned
methods.
Q: When we have been working with relief cases in dynamics using V8.3, it appears that the
calculations are not API compliant, and give significant differences in relief rates vs hand
calculations, especially for two-phase reliefs. Why is this?
A: The relief devices that are implemented are primarily for vapor flow and are approximations for liquid
and two-phase flow. These calculations are API 521 compliant, and you can set up the API 520
calculations being careful of where you put your back pressure.
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Q: Are all the calculations API compliant for liquid and two-phase reliefs, as well as for gas relief
cases?
A: Yes, they are compliant.
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Q: What curves do you use for the backpressure correction factor? If you use API520, can I
manually enter a manufacturer's curve?
A: The API 520 curve is currently implemented. You cannot (currently) enter a manufacturer’s curve, but
you can manually enter the backpressure correction factor if you look it up from the manufacturer’s curve.
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Q: In V8.6, you have tank relief and vessel relief. Is the tank based on API 2000 and vessel based
on API 521?
A: Yes, that is correct.
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Q: I'm concerned about changing the liquid level and therefore the wetted area during the fire
calculation. The API 521 fire sizing method is empirical, based on field tests. In the evaluation of
those tests, was the starting wetted area adjusted for liquid swell?
A: This is a valid concern. We will look into providing options to the user to vary the wetted area or to
keep it constant.
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Q: Are the scenarios very specific to a North American context (API) or usable for applications
with a European perspective (regulations)?
A: This is applicable for global use, as API 520 and 521 are used globally. Specific global guidelines are
not a default selection, but you can manually change all of the defaults that could vary between global
guidelines.
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Q: With line sizing calculation, is Aspen HYSYS V8.4 considered correct in the fitting of inlet/outlet
flange in order to verify the API requirement?
A: Yes, Aspen HYSYS V8.4 implements API 526 for the verification of the inlet and outlet flange rating.
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Q: Is there a reporting functionality that allows documentation to be printed and details the sizing
calculations and the methodology used?
A: We recommend printing out our Technical Help to show the calculation methods; you can then append
the Technical Help to the individual PSV report.
Q: Is the reaction force calculation included in the documentation?
A: Yes, it is shown on the line sizing and also printed on the calculation sheet.
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Q: Are the reaction forces provided with the relief valve calculations?
A: Yes, they are. See the calculation sheet and the line sizing page for that calculation.
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Q: How would you create a report from the work you did for PSV sizing in Aspen HYSYS?
A: The documentation builder is the more comprehensive way of creating reports, especially for record
keeping and regulatory agencies.
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Q: Is the protected equipment specifically associated with the appropriate relief valve, so that one
relief valve can protect all equipment?
A: In the documentation builder, you can specify “all equipment protected by relief device.” In the safety
environment, you can only identify the limiting equipment.
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Q: How can I enter equipment dimensions (vessels exchangers, etc.) for calculating wetted area?
A: The wetted area can be calculated from dimensions for vessels with 2:1 Ellipsoidal heads. To account
for any other specific geometry, you must manually specify the wetted area or include an additional area
factor in your calculation.
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Q: In the vessel example, you have the ability to create multiple stages of the vessels with a fire
case to determine the relief load and latent heat. Do you do the same for tanks?
A: The tank area calculation is not the same as the fire calculation of area. The tank calculation includes
the calculation for one tank.
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Q: Is there a warning if we exceed 3% of the inlet line losses?

A: Yes, there is a warning for this and multiple other situations, such as excess pressure, relief load
undersized, wrong temp range for inlet and outlet flange, etc.
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Q: When there are restriction orifices in a flare network in Aspen HYSYS, would you have to model
an orifice as a permanently open PSV?
A: There are a lot of options for how to model a restriction orifice. For example, you can add a pipe
segment. In the rating tab of the pipe, you can specify an abrupt swage on both sides of large piping
segment diameters. In the Aspen Hydraulics sub-flowsheet, you can specifically add a restriction orifice. It
really depends on what you are looking to analyze.
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Q: Is it possible to simulate Aspen Flare Analyzer in dynamic mode?

A: Not currently, but we are interested in working with you to discuss this topic and develop it.
Q: In Aspen HYSYS, can you model a sequencing reactor, including the reaction?
A: If you are talking about a batch reactor, then we recommend Aspen Batch Modeler for the specific
application. In general, reactions are best handled in Aspen Plus (where you can analyze dynamic relief
for systems with reactions).
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Q: During the demo of PSV fire sizing, where the percent flash was varied, you showed a table of
results. It appeared that the wetted area was changing, why would this be?
A: Yes this is correct; it was changing, as this was for the semi-dynamic flash calculation. This is a
rigorous calculation where wetted surface area is not held constant.
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Q: What is the Direct Integration (HEM) Method?

A: The Direct Integration (HEM) Method assumes a homogeneous equilibrium model between the vapor
and liquid phase. This is typically a good assumption for relief valve sizing because there is a highly
turbulent flow in the tail pipe. Integration is done to the back pressure to determine what the maximum
nozzle mass flux would be.
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Q: Why is the Direct Integration (HEM) Method preferred over others? When should I consider
using other methods?
A: Direct Integration is a very rigorous calculation that utilizes the simulation engine we have. It is
recommended for all flows: vapor, liquid, or two-phase.
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Q: Do you use the Omega or the Homogenous Method for the DIERS two-phase calculations?
A: We offer the Omega Method, as recommended by the API. We also incorporate the Direct Integration
(HEM) Method. The DIERS calculation in the PRD Rating Utility in Aspen Plus (which includes
disengagement calculations for two-phase relief of fire) uses the HEM method.
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Q: Which equations do you use to size for gases in critical conditions, and where can we find the
information?
A: The information is available in the F1 help. The equation for gases in critical conditions is based on the
API 520.
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Q: Do I need to use the Ouderkirk Method for supercritical fluids or can I choose between the
Freeman Self /Huyen Do or Nezami/Price methods?
A: The only additional method we have made for supercritical fluids is the Ouderkirk method.
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Q: How does the simulator size/calculate for multiple equipment protected by common PRD,
especially for fire cases? (i.e. two heat exchangers in a series with no valve between and a PSV
installed on only one heat exchanger but handles cases for both heat exchangers.)
A: The number of vessels desired can be changed, as long as you are using the unwetted or wetted
method. For the API 521 method, you can calculate the area for multiple vessels. For different
orientations of vessels (heat exchangers/oddly configured vessels) you can specify the exposed area.
Q: Does the fire case procedure also consider that the liquid is heated up due to its C p?
A: In the wetted API method, sensible heat is excluded, as recommend by API. If you want to include the
sensible heat, we recommend using the semi-dynamic flash method.
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Q: Can this PSV sizing help in reflux failure cases or similar situations?
A: Yes, for example when analyzing complex column scenarios, it is recommended to use the simulation
environment. You can make sub-flow sheets, taking that column and analyzing it at different operating
conditions. You can then get rid of your reflux and generate the vapor effluent from the column and make
that the relieving fluid in your safety analysis environment. For rigorous analyses, we recommend using
the simulation environment to determine the relieving fluid composition.
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Q: Can you analyze for acoustic induced vibration and accordingly determine if the relief valve
size needs to be changed and include multiple relief valves to meet the capacity?
A: Acoustically induced vibrations are not currently handled, but we are looking into it. We do offer a
noise calculation. For vapor flow rates, we instantly calculate the noise at any distance based on the ISA
Standards.