Blowdown valves

Blowdown valves (BDVs) are used to depressurize a system or component in order

to carry out maintenance work or if there is an emergency. The BDVs require a
downstream isolation valve, with a bleed between the two. In the case of remedial
work, once the pressure has been relieved, the downstream isolation valve will be
closed, and a blind will be installed upstream of the BDV.
If the BDV itself requires maintenance then the upstream equipment or system will
be depressurized, the BDV downstream isolation valve will be closed, the BDV will
be removed, and blind flanges will be installed on both open-ended flanges. The
system will remain shut down until the BDV is reinstalled and certified in functional
working order.
BDVs themselves are considered as isolation valves for system or component isolation.

Industrial boilers
Blowdown
Blowdown on a boiler is mandatory. On small boilers the required operation of the
main blowdown valve may be sufficient to control the quality of water within the
boiler. On medium and large plants additional systems are employed.
The simplest is a preset continuous blowdown valve to maintain a suitable water
quality in the boiler. It is necessary for water quality to be checked frequently and
the rate of continuous blowdown adjusted as may be found necessary.
A second method is a time-controlled valve allowing regular intermittent blowdown
of the boiler. Again, regular checks need to be carried out to monitor the quality of
water in the boiler.
The third and most automatic system is the conductivity-controlled blowdown. This
constantly measures the level of solids in the water and instigates an automatic
variable blowdown on a continuous or intermittent basis.

Depressurization, Blowdown, and Venting

Blowdown is the removal of liquid contents of vessels and equipment to prevent its
contribution to a fire or explosive incident. Blowdown is similar to depressurization
but is relevant to liquids instead of gases. A liquid blowdown should never be sent the
facility flare that is designed to only handle gaseous materials. A liquid release out of
the flare may result in a flare out, and if the flare is elevated, a shower of liquids on the
process facilities can result. Ideally liquid blowdowns should be routed to facilities
that are specifically designed to handle large quantities of liquid materials. The
blowdown could be routed to storage tanks, an open pit, burn pit, another process
facility, or the pressurized sewer. A blowdown to a tank is generally avoided since
entrained gases, or failure or undersized relieving devices, may cause the tank to
rupture. Similarly disposal to an open pit poses the hazards of exposed combustible
liquids and gases. The temperature of blowdown liquids has to be considered when
selecting the materials for a blowdown system to avoid undue thermal effects. API
RP 520 provides guidance for blowdown design arrangements.

Depressurization, Blowdown, and Venting

Blowdown is the removal of liquid contents of vessels and equipment to prevent its
contribution to a fire or explosive incident. Blowdown is similar to depressurization
but entails liquids instead of gases. A liquid blowdown should never be sent a facility
flare that is designed to only handle gaseous materials. A liquid release of the flare
may result in a flare out, and if the flare is elevated, a shower of liquids on the
process facilities can result. Ideally, liquid blowdowns should be routed to facilities
that are specifically designed to handle large quantities of liquid materials. The
blowdown could be routed to storage tanks, an open pit, burn pit, another process
facility, the closed drain system (CDS), or a pressurized sewer. A blowdown to a tank is
generally avoided since entrained gases or failure or undersizing of relieving devices
may cause the tank to rupture. Similarly, disposal to an open pit poses the hazards
of exposed combustible liquids and gases. For avoidance of environmental impact
a CDS or pressurized sewer is commonly employed. The temperature of blowdown
liquids also has to be considered when selecting the materials for a blowdown system
to avoid undue thermal effects. API RP 520 provides guidance for blowdown design
arrangements.

Safety Relief Valve Selection

Blowdown
Short blowdown necessary outside ASME I or VIII requirements (<7%): Some POSRVs
or high-performance, soft-seated, spring-operated SRVs have large adjustable
blowdown ranges. Some range from 3% to 30% blowdown adjustment. This is,
however, only available with a limited number of suppliers. A normal standard ASME
VIII spring-operated SRV may not reach full lift at 10% overpressure when it is
adjusted for a very short blowdown. Blowdown can seldom be set shorter than 5%
on conventional spring valves.
Long blowdown required due to inlet pressure losses above 3%: On gas service, a pop or
modulating action POSRV can be used. On some pilot valves, blowdowns between
3% and 25% can be achieved. In case of very high pressure losses, pilot-operated
valves with a remote sensor should be considered.