EXPANSION

Design Background : This spreadsheet focuses on Design Calculation of Outbreathing Flowrates for an Expansion Ta
and Inlet liquid flowrates are considered and the Tank Air Outbreathing Flowrates are calculated. Upon considering
Valve with a given Cv is selected and the calculated Cv required is compared against it. The ratio of the two gives the

Process and Physical Parameters

Parameter Units

Service (Tank)

Fluid (Stored in Tank)s

Service (PCV)

Fluid (Through PCV)

Volume of Tank (Vtk) m3

Operating Pressure of Tank psia
psig
kpaa
bara
kg/cm2a
kg/cm2g
Operating Temperature of Tank oF
oC
Molecular Weight of Gas (For Air, 28.949 g/mol) g/mol
Compressibility Factor of Gas (If ideal enter 1)
Standard Density of Gas (For Air, around 1.22 Kg/m3) Kg/m3
Gas Release Pressure Downstream of Outlet PCV psig
psia
kpaa
bara
Site Minimum Ambient Temperature oF
oC
Site Maximum Ambient Temperature oF
 oC
Blanket Gas Flowing Conditions (Inlet to PCV) oF
oC
Density of Tank Inlet Inert Cushion Gas at Flowing Conditions Kg/m3
lb/ft3
Specific Gravity of Gas (Molecular Weight Ratio Based)

Insulation Parameters

Inside Heat Transfer Coefficient (Typically 4 W/m2.K for Tanks) (h) W/m2.K

Wall Thickness of Insulation (Enter 0 if No Insulation) (Lin)

m
Thermal Conductivity of Insulation (Enter 1 if No Insulation) (lin) W/m.K
Area of Tank Total (Shell and Roof Inclusive) (Atts) m2
Area of Tank Insulated (Ainp) m2
Fully Insulated Tank Reduction Factor (Rin)
Actual Insulation Reduction Factor (Rinp or Ri)

Outbreathing Requirements due to Flow

Maximum Rate of Tank Liquid Inflow (Filling) (Vpf) Am3/hr

USGPM
Outbreathing Inert Gas Outflow (Normal Flow Venting Requirement)
(Vop) Am3/hr

Thermal Outbreathing Requirements

Average Storage Temperature oC

oF
Range of Storage Temperature
Vapor Pressure of Fluid Stored in Tank kPa
mmHg
Vapor Pressure of Hexane kPa
mmHg
Is Vapor Pressure of Fluid considerably Higher than Hexane ?
Latitude of Installation Site
Range of Latitude
C-Factor (As Per API 2000, 7th Edition)
Y-Factor (As Per API 2000, 7th Edition)

Normal Temp K
Normal Pressure kpaa
Std. Temp K
Std. Pressure kpaa
Actual Temp. K
Actual Pressure kpaa

Outbreathing Inert Gas Outflow (Thermal Venting Requirement) (Vot)

Nm3/hr
Sm3/hr
m3/hr
Kg/hr

Total Outbreathing Gas Flow Rate Required Am3/hr

Kg/hr

Tank Outlet PCV Process Parameters

Inlet Fluid (Inert Gas) Mass Flow Rate Kg/hr

lb/hr
Design Flow Margin (Typically 1.3)
Design Mass Flow Rate (w) kg/hr
lb/hr
Gas Specific Heat Ratio Cp/Cv (1.4 for Air) (k or g)
Ratio of Specific Heats Factor (Fk)
Gas Specific Weight (Mass Density) at Upstream Conditions (g1) Kg/m3
lb/ft3

Parameters of Selected Valve

Selected Valve End Inside Diameter (d) in

mm
Upstream Piping Diameter (D1) in
mm
Upstream Pressure Loss Coefficient (Inlet Reducer) (K1)
Upstream Pressure Change (Bernoulli) Coefficient (Inlet Reducer) (KB1)
Downstream Piping Diameter (D2) in
mm
Downstream Pressure Loss Coefficient (Outlet Reducer) (K2)
Downstream Pressure Change (Bernoulli) Coefficient (Outlet Reducer)
(KB2)

Inlet Fitting Head Loss Coefficient (Ki)

Overall Pressure Loss Coefficient (SK = K1+K2+KB1-KB2)

Outlet PCV Sizing

\

NOTE : Sizing has been done based on English Units (Psi, Lb/ft3, inch etc.) since Cv is based on those units. The final Output
is the same since the required answers are in Ratios or percentages. Wherever required the conversions have been made for a

Valve Manufacturer
Valve Model Selected
Selected Valve Rated Maximum (Flow Coefficient) CV1
Selected Valve Rated Pressure Drop Ratio Factor
(From Manufacturer or the Table) (Xt)

Piping Geometry Factor (Fp)

Modified Valve Pressure Drop Ratio Factor (Xtp)

Selected Valve Critical Flow Condition Pressure Drop Ratio Factor (Xm)
Unit Conversion Constant (N6)

Upstream Gas Pressure (P1) kpa

psi
bar
Downstream Gas Pressure (P2) kpa
psi
bar
Pressure Drop across Valve or Valve Pressure Differential (P1-P2 or DP) kpa
psi
bar

Pressure Drop Ratio Factor (X)

Critical or Sub-Critical Flow ? (Choked or Not Choked)

To help determine Effective Pressure Drop Ratio

Effective Pressure Drop Ratio (X Eff)

Gas Expansion Factor (Y)

Calculated Capacity Factor Required (CV2)
Rated Capacity Factor of Valve (CV1)
Valve Opening Required (CV2/CV1) %

Is Valve Selected Suitable ?

But Take Care due to Very Low Inlet Flow

Criticality By %

General Guideline Checks

1. Is Valve Opening Above 10% ? NO

1. Is Valve Opening Below 80% ? YES

2. Is Valve End Size Smaller than or Equal to Line Size ? YES

3. Is Design Flow Margin atleast 1.3 ? YES

Conclusions :
a. The Outbreathing Requirements are calculated as per the new API Method as stated in API 2000, 7th Edition, 3.3.
There is an alternative method for snall sized tanks that satisfy specific criteria given in Annex A of the API std. The n
b. In general, Valves can also be allowed to operate under Choked Flow Conditions. If valves operate at higher press
drop ratio possible is the rated valve critical pressure drop ratio. In non choked (Non-critical) flows, the pressure dro
c. For Valve Openings which are too low, verify the acceptability and whether the valve opens or not for that flowra
Generally never select a valve greater than the line size.
d. If the Liquid stored in the Tank is volatile, the outbreathing requirements change, but that has been accounted fo

NOTES
1. General Rule of Thumb = For liquids Velocity should be limited to 50 ft/s or 15 m/s
2. Limit Valve Opening to between 10-80 %
 EXPANSION TANK - OUTLET CONTROL VALVE SIZING (GAS)

utbreathing Flowrates for an Expansion Tank and the Sizing of the Outlet PCV based mainly on the Revised API 2000 Method (7t
owrates are calculated. Upon considering these values, a valve is selected and suitability is checked. This flowsheet is only valid
ed against it. The ratio of the two gives the valve opening required.

Value Value

Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation

Storage Storage

Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %) Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %)

Solution Solution

Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV

Air Air

1.50 1.50
11.75 11.75
-2.95 -2.95
81.00 81.00
0.81 0.81
0.81 0.81
-0.22 -0.22
44.06 44.06
6.70 6.70
28.949 28.949
1.000 1.000
1.222 1.222
0.00 0.00
14.70 14.70
101.33 101.33
1.01 1.01
0.00 0.00
-17.78 -17.78
92.00 92.00
 33.33 33.33
44.07 44.07
6.70 6.70
1.008 1.008
0.063 0.063
1.000 1.000

4.00 4.00

0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00

1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00

0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000

6.70 6.70
44.06 44.06
Below 25 oC Below 25 oC
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
0.050 0.050
0.375 0.375
NO NO

40.58 40.58
Below 42 Below 42
4.000 4.000
0.320 0.320

273.15 273.15
101.325 101.325
288.75 288.75
101.325 101.325
279.85 279.85
81.000 81.000

0.425 0.425
0.449 0.449
0.545 0.545
0.549 0.549

0.545 0.545
0.549 0.549

0.549 0.549
1.210 1.210
1.30 1.30
0.714 0.714
1.573 1.573
1.40 1.40

1.00 1.00

1.008 1.008
0.063 0.063

1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000
 0.000 0.000

v is based on those units. The final Output

equired the conversions have been made for application of relevant formulae. Most formulae and constants are based on english units hen

Carraro Carraro
UBAN UB Regulator Series UBAN UB Regulator Series
1", Nozzle 1 1", Nozzle 1
0.031 0.031

0.700 0.700

1.000 1.000

0.700 0.700
0.700 0.700
63.30 63.30

276.00 276.00
40.02 40.02
2.76 2.76
101.33 101.33
14.69 14.69
1.01 1.01
174.68 174.68
25.33 25.33
1.75 1.75

0.633 0.633

Unchoked or Sub-Critical Flow Unchoked or Sub-Critical Flow

0.633 0.633

0.699 0.699
0.00089 0.00089
 0.03100 0.03100
2.87 2.87

Suitable Suitable
But Take Care due to Very Low Inlet Flow

No Criticality No Criticality

Verify Acceptability NO Verify Acceptability NO

Good YES Good YES

Good YES Good YES

Good YES Good YES

hod as stated in API 2000, 7th Edition, 3.3.2.

eria given in Annex A of the API std. The newer method is general in nature and more conservative than the Old method with t
onditions. If valves operate at higher pressure drop ratios than critical flow conditions, then the effective pressure drop ratio be
oked (Non-critical) flows, the pressure drop is determined by the general pressure drop (Upstream-downstream) across the val
her the valve opens or not for that flowrate and pressure.

ts change, but that has been accounted for in the Outbreathing Requirements (due to flow) formula.

s or 15 m/s
ALVE SIZING (GAS)

nly on the Revised API 2000 Method (7th Edition) general Case and Masoneilan Control Valve Sizing. The Outlet Blanket Gas
is checked. This flowsheet is only valid for Gas Cushioned Expansion Tanks. Upon calculating the Breathing requirements, a

Value Value

Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation

Storage Storage

Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %) Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %)

Solution Solution

Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV

Air Air

1.50 1.50
11.75 11.75
-2.95 -2.95
81.00 81.00
0.81 0.81
0.81 0.81
-0.22 -0.22
44.06 44.06
6.70 6.70
28.949 28.949
1.000 1.000
1.222 1.222
0.00 0.00
14.70 14.70
101.33 101.33
1.01 1.01
0.00 0.00
-17.78 -17.78
92.00 92.00
 33.33 33.33
44.07 44.07
6.70 6.70
1.008 1.008
0.063 0.063
1.000 1.000

4.00 4.00

0.00 0.00
1.00 1.00

1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00

0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000

6.70 6.70
44.06 44.06
Below 25 oC Below 25 oC
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
0.050 0.050
0.375 0.375
NO NO

40.58 40.58
Below 42 Below 42
4.000 4.000
0.320 0.320

273.15 273.15
101.325 101.325
288.75 288.75
101.325 101.325
279.85 279.85
81.000 81.000

0.425 0.425
0.449 0.449
0.545 0.545
0.549 0.549

0.545 0.545
0.549 0.549

0.549 0.549
1.210 1.210
1.30 1.30
0.714 0.714
1.573 1.573
1.40 1.40

1.00 1.00

1.008 1.008
0.063 0.063

1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000
 0.000 0.000

nd constants are based on english units hence the spreadsheet has been formulated this way

Carraro Carraro
UBAN UB Regulator Series UBAN UB Regulator Series
1", Nozzle 1 1", Nozzle 1
0.031 0.031

0.700 0.700

1.000 1.000

0.700 0.700
0.700 0.700
63.30 63.30

276.00 276.00
40.02 40.02
2.76 2.76
101.33 101.33
14.69 14.69
1.01 1.01
174.68 174.68
25.33 25.33
1.75 1.75

0.633 0.633

Unchoked or Sub-Critical Flow Unchoked or Sub-Critical Flow

0.633 0.633

0.699 0.699
0.00089 0.00089
 0.03100 0.03100
2.87 2.87

Suitable Suitable

No Criticality No Criticality

Verify Acceptability NO Verify Acceptability

Good YES Good

Good YES Good

Good YES Good

onservative than the Old method with the introduction of new parameters such as Latitude, C-Factor, Y-Factor etc.
hen the effective pressure drop ratio becomes the critical pressure drop ratio since at Choked Flow, the highest pressure
(Upstream-downstream) across the valve.

ow) formula.
an Control Valve Sizing. The Outlet Blanket Gas
Upon calculating the Breathing requirements, a

Basis of Calculation

if N2 then 28.01.

at 15.6 oC
Atmospheric Conditions

From Site Data

From Site Data

 Tank Operating Temperature

Calculated

Assuming No Insulation is conservative

since adding insulation reduces flow
reqmnt

Sec. 3.3.2.4, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.4, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.2, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Assumed same as Tank Op. Temp

Above 1kPa considered high,

else, close to Hexane

Sec. 3.3.2.3, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.3, API 2000 (7 Ed.)
 Sec. 3.3.2.3.3, API 2000 (7 Ed.)
STP at 15.6 oC, 1 atm
NTP at 0oC, 1 atm

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

For Valve Selected Below

See Table attached or

Crane or Blackmonk reference
 Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and
ISA Reference

d this way

From Valve Manufacturer

From Valve Manufacturer or

the ISA Reference table, Sec. 8

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference
See Blackmonk Reference
See Blackmonk Reference
Masoneilan Reference (Table)

Valve Setpoint Decided by us

Ambient Outside / Exit Pressure

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

In Choked flow, max P Drop is Critical

Valve P Ratio, else it is
equal to Valve P Drop
All References
All References
 See Blackmonk Reference

Depends on Guidelines below

Margin by which flow is Choked

See Carl Branan Reference

See Carl Branan Reference

See Carl Branan Reference

See Carl Branan Reference

uch as Latitude, C-Factor, Y-Factor etc.

since at Choked Flow, the highest pressure
 VP<=HEXANE (Non Volatile)
Below 25 oC Above and Equal 25 oC
Below 42 4 6.5
Between 42 and 58 3 5
Above 58 2.5 4

VP>HEXANE (Volatile)
Below 25 oC Above and Equal 25 oC
Below 42 6.5 6.5
Between 42 and 58 5 5
Above 58 4 4

Normal Conditions 0 oC, 1 atm

Standard Conditions 15.6 oC, 1atm
Typical Xt Values (Rated Pressure Drop Ratio Factor)