Ino % » 2A ‘A yx aCill. a a SoS Novi teaA Valves Clifford Matthews Sie SERIES EDITOR: CLIFFORD MATTHEWSA Quick Guide to Pressure Relief Valves (PRVs) Clifford Matthews BSc, CEng, MBA, FIMechE ea shing Professional Engineering Publishing Limited London and Bury St Edmunds, UKFirst published 2004 This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, no part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with- out the prior permission of the copyright owners. Unlicensed multiple copying of this publication is illegal. Inquiries should be addressed to: The Academic Director, Professional Engineering Publishing Limited, | Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London, SW1H Oss. © Clifford Matthews ISBN | 86058 457 8 ISSN 1742-2833 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Printed in Great Britain by J. W. Arrowsmith Limited, Bristol, UK. This book is intended to assist engineers and designers in under- standing and fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities, All interpretation contained in this publication — concerning technical, regulatory, and design information and data, unless specifically otherwise identified — carries no authority. The information given here is not intended to be used for the design, manufacture, repair, inspection, or certification of pressure equipment, whether or not that equipment is subject to design codes and statutory requirements. Engineers and designers dealing with pressure equipment should not use the information in this book to demonstrate compliance with any code, standard, or regulatory requirement. While great care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, neither the Author nor the Publishers do warrant, guarantee, or make any representation regarding the use of this publication in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliability, currentness, comprehensiveness, or otherwise. Neither the Publisher, Author, nor anyone, nor anybody who has been involved in the creation, production, or delivery of this product shall be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising from its use. Contents Preface Where to Start —- A Ten-minute Guide to PRVs Some Useful Websites and References Chapter 1 Protective Devices — An Introduction Ae ounrowrd Terminology Overpressure — causes and effects Pressure relief External accreditations Technical standards Operation and maintenance Chapter 2 Design Fundamentals 2.1 aie 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 al 2.8 2.9 2.1 2.1 ai ait The ‘relieving system’ Fluid categorization Pressure classes PRV sizing The high-lift principle Nozzle design Balanced high-lift PRVs Seat types Pilot-operated PRVs 0 Pressure—vacuum valves 1 Thermal relief valves 2 Rupture discs 3 Materials of construction Chapter 3 Design Codes 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 ANSI B16.34 BS 6759: 1984 — safety valves API RP 576: 2000 Inspection of pressure-relieving devices Other API standards The PED and EN 1268 PRV isolation Chapter 4 ASME VIII Requirements for PRVs 4.1 Clauses UG-125 to UG-136 vii xv OBOANN=A= 11 15 21 24 25 28 28 33 34 35 42 45 45 46 51 51 59 59 65 65