Relief Valve

Purpose

To provide information on the various aspect of the

relief system design that fall within the responsibility
of Process Engineering
 Topics

 INTRODUCTION
 DEFINITIONS
 RELIEF SYSTEM
– PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
– RELIEF DEVICE LATERALS
– DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
– OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICES

 PROCESS ENGINEERING DELIVERABLES

 Introduction

Emergency Relief System facilitates…

Removal, conveyance and disposal of fluids in vapor,

liquid or gaseous phase as necessary to protect
equipment, piping from catastrophic failure due to
overpressure.
Introduction (Contd…)

Overpressure caused by…

variations in heat and mass flow
These variations fall under four categories:
– An increase in mass input
– A decrease in mass removal
– An increase in heat input
– A decrease in heat removal
Introduction (Contd…)

Variation in heat or mass flow caused by

 equipment failure or malfunction
 loss of utilities (electric, steam, instrument
air,cooling water
 human error
 external fire
 uncontrolled reactions
Introduction (Contd…)

Relief System includes:

 Final or ultimate protective devices (e.g. pressure
relief valves, rupture disk
 Inlet and Outlet piping (laterals) for each relief
device
 Collection systems for combined flow
 Conditioning systems for individual or combined
flow
 Disposal System
Definitions

Set Pressure:
Inlet gauge pressure at which is the pressure relief
device is set to open under service conditions.

Accumulation:
Pressure increase over the MAWP of the vessel
allowed during discharge through the pressure
relieving device.
Definitions (Contd…)

Overpressure:
Pressure increase over the set pressure of the
relieving device allowed to achieve the rated flow.

Required Relieving Rate:

Flow required to be relieved during an upset
condition which results in largest area for the
device.
Definitions (Contd…)

Rated Relieving Capacity:

The portion of the measured relieving capacity
permitted by the applicable code or regulation to be
used as a basis for the application of a pressure
relief device.
Definitions (Contd…)

Total Back Pressure:

Pressure that exists at the outlet of a pressure
relief device as result of the pressure in the
discharge system.
Total BP = Built-up BP + Superimposed BP
Definitions (Contd…)

Superimposed Back Pressure:

This is the static pressure that exists at the outlet of
a pressure relief device at the the time the device is
required.
This may be constant or variable.
Definitions (Contd…)

Built-up Back Pressure:

This is the increase in pressure at the outlet of a
pressure relief device that develops as result of
flow after the pressure relief device opens
Relief System

Relief systems protect equipment, piping or

instrumentation from overpressure by
 Removal
 Conveyance
 Disposal
of vapor, liquid, or gaseous phase.
Pressure Relief Devices

Pressure Relief Devices

Two Categories of Pressure Relief Devices:
 Reclosing
 Non- Reclosing Pressure
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Reclosing Pressure Relief Devices

Pressure Relief or Safety Valves

Non Reclosing Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Disk
Pin- Actuated Device
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Pressure Relief Valves:

1. Conventional Pressure Relief Valve
A spring loaded valve, whose operational
characteristics are affected by back pressure. Force
of a compressed spring is used to hold down a metal
disk across the top of an orifice.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Conventional Pressure Relief Valve…

When to Use:
 Back Pressure is less than 10% of the set pressure
 Superimposed back pressure is constant
 used when relief valve discharges to atmosphere; for
steam, water, air services
 used when set pressure is equal to or greater than 250
psig and relief valve discharges to relief header.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Operation of conventional spring loaded relief

valve
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Operation of conventional spring loaded relief valve

Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Effect of Superimposed Backpressure

Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

2. Balanced Pressure Relief Valves:

spring loaded valve, incorporates bellows or piston to
minimize the effect of back pressure on the operational
characteristics of valve.
The piston or bellow reduces the area of the top of the
disk where the back pressure can apply a downward
force.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Balanced Pressure Relief Valves…..

When to Use:
 used when back pressure at the outlet of relief valve
exceeds 10 % but less than 50% of set pressure
used in corrosive service when the bellow is required to
isolate valve internals from corrosive or dirty fluid
 Used when superimposed back pressure is not constant.
 set pressure is below 250 psig and relief header is
loaded with other relief flows.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Pilot Operated Relief Valve:

main valve is combined with and controlled by a self
actuated auxiliary pressure relief valve (pilot).
Pressure of process fluid is utilized to hold the disk.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

When to use:
 when 3% inlet pressure loss constraint can not be met
 Maximum operating pressure is more than 95% of the set
pressure
 set pressure is above 1000 psig
 Recommended for two phase applications
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

Type of Pilot Operated Relief valves:

 Pop and Modulating Action
Pop action PORV is recommended where chances of
clogging of the piston seat during small flows.
High pressure services (>1000psig)

Modulating action PORVare generally preferred due to

conservation of process fluid and the least cost per
relieving cycle.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)

 Flowing and Non-flowing

Flowing pilot allows process fluid to flow through the
pilot whenever main valve opens.
Not suitable for dirty and auto refrigerating fluids
Suitable for clean services.
Non- flowing Pilots allows process fluid to flow only
when piston or diaphragm is moving. When piston or
diaphragm is fully open or in stable modulating position,
no fluid flows through the pilot.
Pressure Relief Devices (Contd..)
No system Pressure