Preliminary Estimate of Rupture Disk Size Discharging to Atmosphere

Reference: Section 5, Chemical & Process Plant Engineering

Standard Handbook of Engineering Calculations, 4th Edition, Tyler G. Hicks
Notes:
1 Rupture Disks discharging to atmosphere are normally configured as follows:
a. Rupture Disk is required to be located no further than 8 pipe diameters from the
vessel nozzle that is being protected
b. The discharge piping length downstream of rupture disk to be no more than
5 pipe diameters

Gas Service Rupture Disk Diameter Estimation

English Units Only
0. 5 0. 25
d= [W
146×P ] [ ] ×
1
MW g

where:
d= minimum rupture disk diameter, inch
W= relieving flow rate, lb/h
P= Relieving Pressure, psia
MWg = molecular weight of gas being relieved
Relieving presure defined for a rupture disk is the Rupture disk burst pressure plus the
overpressure (10% of burst pressure for non-fire case and 21% of burst pressure for fire case)
Inputs
W= 50,000 lb/h
P= 80 psig
MWg = 2
Calculations
d= 1.60 inch
2.00 inch

Liquid Service Rupture Disk Diameter Estimation

English Units Only
0. 25
d=0. 236×Q ×
SG
0 .5
P [ ]
where:
d= minimum rupture disk diameter, inch
Q= relieving capacity, US GPM
P= Relieving Pressure, psia
SG = specific gravity of liquid being relieved (water = 1)

Inputs
Q= 100 gpm
P= 200 psig
SG = 0.9
Calculations
d= 0.60 inch
1.00 inch

Prepared by: Ankur Srivastava

Chemical Engineer
Email: ankur_2061@hotmail.com