API STD 520 Part I Equa ons for HEM method for two-phase flow PSV sizing

In SI units the specific mass flux can be calculated as follows:

The integral can be readily evaluated numerically for any fluid by direct summa on over small
pressure intervals in the following manner:

where:

G = specific mass flux, kg/s.m2

P = stagna on pressure of the two-phase fluid, Pa

1 represents the condi ons at the inlet of the PSV

t represents the condi ons at the throat of the nozzle where the cross-sec onal area i
minimized
ρ = two-phase (mixture) fluid density, kg/m3

ρ can be calculated as follows:

Where:

ρ = two-phase (mixture) fluid density, kg/m3

ρv = density of vapor, kg/m3
ρl = density of liquid, kg/m3
α = volume fraction of vapor phase in the mixture
The volume frac on of the vapor phase in the mixture is related to the mass quality of the
mixture (mass frac on of the vapor phase) by the following equa on:

Once G is calculated the required orifice area of the PSV can be calculated as follows:

Where:
A = required discharge area, mm2

W = mass flow rate of PSV, kg/h (determined from the governing relief case)

Kd = coefficient of discharge; for a preliminary sizing es ma on, an effec ve coefficient of discharge of

0.85 can be used for a two-phase mixture or saturated liquid entering the PRV inlet. For the case of a
subcooled liquid entering the PRV inlet, a coefficient of discharge equal to 0.65 is consistent with the
single-phase method in Equa on (32) and Equa on (33). Note that a value of 0.65 may result in a
conserva ve valve size for liquids that are only slightly subcooled; the user may select other methods for
determining a coefficient of discharge.

Kb = backpressure correc on factor for vapor that should be obtained from the valve manufacturer; for
a preliminary sizing es ma on, use Figure 31. The backpressure correc on factor applies to balanced-
bellows valves only.

Kc = combination correction factor for installations with a rupture disk upstream of the PRV
- the combination correction factor is 1.0, when a rupture disk is not installed
- the combination correction factor is 0.9, when a rupture disk is installed in combination with a
PRV and the combination does not have a certified value

Kv = viscosity correc on factor; for two-phase flows where the liquid has a viscosity of 100 cP (0.1Pa-s)
or less, the viscosity correc on factor can be set to 1.0

G = specific mass flux, kg/s.m2