Pressure Relief Valves
Prepared By: Reviewed By:
Sunil Kumar Mr. Satyendra
Kumar Singh
Pressure Relief Valves
What’s coming
Basic Introduction
Design Fundamentals
Types of Pressure relief devices
Parts of PRV
Dimensional & operational characteristics
Code requirements
Valve sizing and selection
Basic Introduction
A pressure relief valve is a safety device
designed to protect a pressurized
vessel or system during an overpressure
event. An overpressure event refers to any
condition which would cause pressure in a
vessel or system to increase beyond the
specified design pressure or maximum
allowable working pressure (MAWP).
Once a condition occurs that cause the
pressure in a system or vessel to increase to a
dangerous level, the pressure relief valve may
Design Fundamentals
1. Spring loaded design of
PRV
At the same time, the direction of the fluid flow is
reversed and the momentum effect resulting from the
change in flow direction further enhances lift. These
effects combine to allow the valve to achieve maximum
lift and maximum flow within the allowable overpressure
limits.
If the design maximizes lift effort then blow down will
be long. If the design objective is to minimize blow down,
then the lift effort will be diminished. Many pressure
relief valves are, therefore, equipped with a nozzle ring
which can be adjusted to vary the geometry of the
control chamber to meet a particular system operating
requirement.
Materials of Construction for PRV
1. Sufficient strength to withstand the
pressure and temperature of the system
fluid.
2. Resist chemical attack by the process fluid
and the local environment to ensure valve
function is not impaired over long periods
of exposure.
3. Fine finish on the seating surfaces of the
disc and nozzle is required for tight shut
off.
Back Pressure Considerations
Valves that vent to the atmosphere, either directly or
through short vent stacks, are not subjected to elevated
back pressure conditions.
For valves installed in a closed system, or when a long
vent pipe is used, there is a possibility of developing
high back pressure.
The force of fluid pressure acting on the inlet side of
the disc will be balanced by the force of the spring plus
whatever pressure exists on the outlet side of valve.
If pressure in the valve outlet varies while the valve is
closed, the valve set pressure will change.
If back pressure varies while the valve is open and
flowing, valve lift and flow rate through the valve can be
Superimposed Back Pressure
Pressure in discharge header while valve is closed
Can be constant or variable
Compensation for superimposed back pressure which
is constant may be provided by reducing the spring
force
When superimposed back pressure is variable, a
balanced bellows or balanced piston design is
recommended.
Balanced Bellows Spring Loaded Safety Relief Valve
The bellows or piston is designed with an effective
pressure area equal to the seat area of the disc.
The bonnet is vented to ensure that the pressure area
of the bellows or piston will always be exposed to
atmospheric pressure and to provide a telltale sign
should the bellows or piston begin to leak.
Variations in back pressure, therefore will have no
effect on set pressure but it affect the flow.
The bellows or piston acts to seal process fluid from
escaping to atmosphere and isolates the spring, bonnet
and guiding surfaces from contacting the process fluid.
Application:
1.Excessive fluctuation in superimposed back
pressures.
2.The service is fouling or corrosive.
Built-up Back Pressure
Pressure in discharge header
due to frictional losses after
valve opens
Built up back pressure will not
affect the valve opening
pressure but may have an
effect on valve lift and flow.
Total = Superimposed + Built-
up
Nozzle Type
Full nozzle
1. Used in Styles JOS, JBS and JLT, series
800/900
OMNI-TRIM and series BP.
2. Only the nozzle and disc are exposed
to the
fluid media when the valve is closed.
Semi nozzle
1. Used in styles JPV/JPVM.
2. The nozzle, disc, and part of the valve
body are
exposed to the inlet fluid when the
Pilot Operated Designs
Back Pressure Effects on Pilot Operated Valve (No Backflow Prevention)
Back Pressure Effects on Pilot Operated Valve (With Backflow Prevention)
Types of pressure relief devices
1. Reclosing pressure relief devices
a). Pressure Relief Valve
b). Safety valve
c). On the basics of back pressure
i) Conventional Safety Relief Valve
ii) Balanced Safety Relief Valve
d). Pilot-operated pressure relief valve
e). Power-actuated pressure relief valve
f). Temperature-actuated pressure relief
valve
g). Vacuum relief valve
2. Non-reclosing pressure relief devices
a). Rupture disc device
b). Breaking pin device
Reclosing pressure relief devices
c). On the basics of back pressure
2. Non-reclosing pressure relief devices
Parts of PRV
1. Approach channel: The passage through
which the fluid must pass to reach the
operating parts of a pressure relief device.
2. Discharge channel: The passage through
which the fluid must pass between the
operating parts of a pressure relief device and
its outlet.
3. Disc: The pressure containing movable
element of a pressure relief valve which
effects closure.
4. Huddling chamber: The annular pressure
chamber located beyond the valve seat for the
purpose of generating a popping
6. Nozzle: A pressure containing element
which constitutes the inlet flow passage
and includes the fixed portion of the
seat closure.
7. Seat: The pressure containing contact
b/w fixed & moving portions of the
pressure containing elements of a valve.
8. Pilot valve: An auxiliary valve which
actuates a major relieving device.
9. Rupture disc: The pressure containing
and pressure sensitive element of a
Dimensional & operational characteristics
Pressure Terminology
Operating pressure
MAWP
Design pressure
Set pressure
Accumulation
Overpressure
Blowdown
PRV Testing
Code Requirements
General Code requirements include:
ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code,
Section VIII, Pressure Vessels
ASME B31.3 / Petroleum Refinery Piping
ASME B16.5 / Flanges & Flanged Fittings
Valve sizing and selection
1. Calculate the required effective area of a pressure relief
valve that will flow the required volume of system fluid at
anticipated relieving conditions.
2. The appropriate valve size and style may then be selected
having a nominal effective area equal to or greater than the
calculated required effective area.
3. Sizing: Gas and Vapor sizing, Steam sizing, Liquid sizing,
Combination Devices sizing.
Gas and Vapor Sizing
The formula used for sizing valves for gases and vapor (except
steam) when required flow is expressed as a mass flow rate , kg/hr is
Where: A= minimum required effective discharge area, mm2.
C= coefficient determined from an expression of the ratio
of specific
heats of the gas or vapor at standard conditions.
K= effective coefficient of discharge. K=0.975
Kb =capacity correction factor due to back pressure.
M= molecular weight of the gas or vapor.
P1= relieving pressure (kpa)= set pressure+
overpressure+ atm pr.
T= absolute temperature of the fluid at the valve inlet
Steam Sizing
The formula used for sizing valves for steam service when required
flow is expressed as a mass flow rate , kg/hr is
Where: A= minimum required effective discharge area, mm2.
K= effective coefficient of discharge. K=0.975
Kb =capacity correction factor due to back pressure.
Ksh= capacity correction factor due to the degree of
superheat in steam.
P1= relieving pressure (kpa)= set pressure+
overpressure+ atm pr.
Kn= capacity correction factor for dry saturated steam at
set pressures above 10346 kpa and upto 22060 kpa .
W= required relieving capacity (kg/hr).
Combination Devices Sizing
The rated relieving capacity of a pressure relief valve in
combination with a rupture disc is equal to the capacity of the
pressure relief valve multiplied by a combination capacity factor
to account for any flow losses attributed to the rupture disc.
Combination capacity factors is determined by test and when a
combination capacity factor for the specific rupture disc and
relief valve combination is not available, a combination capacity
a factor of 0.9 may be used.
The formula used for sizing valves for steam service when
required flow is expressed as a mass flow rate , kg/hr is
Where: A= minimum required effective discharge area, mm2.
C= coefficient determined from an expression of the ratio
of specific
heats of the gas or vapor at standard conditions.
K= effective coefficient of discharge. K=0.975
Kb =capacity correction factor due to back pressure.
M= molecular weight of the gas or vapor.
P1= relieving pressure (kpa)= set pressure+
overpressure+ atm pr.
T= absolute temperature of the fluid at the valve inlet
(degrees kelvin).
W= required relieving capacity (kg/hr).
Z= compressibility factor.
Fcomb= combination capacity factor .
Advantages / Disadvantages
Conventional Valve
Advantages
Most reliable type if properly sized and
operated
Versatile -- can be used in many services
Disadvantages
Relieving pressure affected by back
pressure
Susceptible to chatter if built-up back
pressure is too high
Conventional
PRV
Balanced Bellows Valve
Advantages
Relieving pressure not affected by back pressure
Can handle higher built-up back pressure
Protects spring from corrosion
Disadvantages
Bellows susceptible to fatigue/rupture
May release flammables/toxics to atmosphere
Requires separate venting system
Bellows PRV
Pilot Operated Valve
Advantages
Relieving pressure not affected by
backpressure
Can operate at up to 98% of set pressure
Less susceptible to chatter
Disadvantages
Vapor condensation and liquid
accumulation above the piston may cause
problems
Potential for back flow
Piston Type Pilot
Operated PRV
Rupture Discs
A rupture disc is a thin diaphragm (generally a solid
metal disc) designed to rupture (or burst) at a
designated pressure. It is used as a weak element to
protect vessels and piping against excessive pressure
(positive or negative).
1. They are often used as the primary pressure relief
device.
Very rapid pressure rise situations like runaway
reactions.
When pressure relief valve cannot respond quick
enough.
2. They can also be used in conjunction with a pressure
relief valve
to:
Advantages
Reduced fugitive emissions - no simmering or leakage prior to bursting.
Protect against rapid pressure rise cased by heat exchanger tube ruptures.
Less expensive to provide corrosion resistance.
Less tendency to foul or plug.
Provide both over pressure protection and depressuring.
Disadvantages
Don’t reclose after relief.
Burst pressure cannot be tested.
Require periodic replacement.
Greater sensitivity to mechanical damage.
Greater sensitivity to temperature
Not for high pressures (too thick required)
Not effective in liquid service.
Disc
Corroded
Through
Damaged during
Installation
Rupture Pins
A rupture pin is designed to be a non-reclosing
pressure relief device, similar to a rupture disc
A piston is held in the closed position with a
buckling pin which will fail at a set pressure
according to Euler's Law
An o-ring on the piston is used to make a
bubble tight seal
Conventional Rupture Pin Device
Advantages
Not subject to premature failure due to fatigue
Can be operated closer to its set point
Setpoint is insensitive to operating temperature
Suitable for liquid service
Resetting after release usually requires no breaking of
flanges
Replacement pins are 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of replacement
discs
Disadvantages
The elastomer o-ring seal limits the maximum operating
temperature to about 450oF (230oC)
Initial cost of installation is greater than for a rupture disc
Anything wrong
here?
Discharge directed
downward
Anything wrong
here?
Discharge too
near deck
Anything wrong
here?
Long moment arm
Anything wrong
here?
Will these bolts hold
when the PRV relieves?
Anything wrong
here?
Bellows plugged
in spite of sign
Thank you
