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PSV or pressure safety valves are very common to any process industry. To protect any equipment from overpressure PSV
systems are used in lines. Two types of PSVs are extensively used in process industries: a) Open discharge PSV and b)
Closed discharge PSV. Due to any uncertain event if pressure of any equipment becomes higher than the set pressure of the
installed PSV s then they pop up and reduce the system pressure. During popong up activity the PSVs exert huge reaction
force over the system. During analysis of PSv connected stress systems we have to consider this reaction force. This is the
main reason that PSV connected systems become stress critical. The following write up will try to explain the methods used
during analysis of such systems using Caesar II.
Required Documents for analysis:
Before we start the actual analysis we should first know the reaction force. Normal practice is to obtain the reaction force from
PSV vendor or manufacturer. However if during preliminary stage of analysis data is not available then the reaction force for
open discharge PSVs can be calculated using the below mentioned formula (from API RP 520). But later it must be corrected
for forces received from vendor.
The following figure (Fig. 2) shows the points where the reaction force is required to be applied for open discharge PSVs.
Fig.2: Reaction force Application point for open discharge PSV connected systems.
Fig. 3 shows the application point (If required) of reaction forces for closed discharge PSV connected systems.
Fig.3: Reaction force Application point for Closed discharge PSV connected systems.
Caesar II load cases for PSV connected systems:
PSV forces are considered as occassional forces. So occasional Stress due to PSV reaction force has to be calculated and to
be limited within 1.33 times Sh (As per code ASME B 31.3). Here Sh=Basic allowable stress at hot condition. Based on
company practise PSV reaction force is added either with Design temperature case or with operating temperature case. Also
some organisations have the practise of making One PSV popping up and other stand by load cases. Accordingly make the
load cases as shown below: