Liquid Release Rate Equations Calculate the liquid release rate using API 581:2008, equation 3.

3: ( )

Note that API includes a correction factor C1, which is an SI to imperial correction factor. As SI units are employed in the program, this factor is omitted here. Where: Wn = The discharge rate (kg/s); Cd = The discharge co-efficient for liquid1; Kv,n = Viscosity correction factor (unitless)2; An = The hole area (mm2); = The liquid density (kg/m3) gc = Gravitational Constant; Ps = The normal operating pressure (Pa)

Vapour Release Rate Equations Step 1: Calculate the transition from choked (sonic) to unchoked flow using API 581:2008, equation 3.5: ( )

Where: Ptrans = The pressure at which the transition from choked to unchoked flow occurs; Patm = Atmospheric pressure; k = The ratio of specific heats; for the purpose of iRBI a conservative value of 1.2 is employed.

Step 2: Calculate the vapour release rate according to either:

1 2

A conservative value of 0.61 is used in accordance with API 581:2008, para. 5.3.2. In accordance with API 581:2008, para. 5.3.2. a conservative assumption of 1.0 is employed.

API 581:2008, equation 3.6 for choked flow (where the process pressure is greater than the transition pressure (Ptrans): (

)(

Note that API includes a correction factor C2, which is an SI to imperial correction factor. As SI units are employed in the program, this factor is omitted here. Where: Wn = The discharge rate (kg/s); Cd = The discharge co-efficient for vapour3; An = The hole area (mm2); Mw = Molecular weight; gc = Gravitational Constant; Ps = The normal operating pressure (Pa) Ts = The normal operating temperature (K)

API 581 equation 3.6 for choked flow (where the process pressure is equal to or lower than the transition pressure (Ptrans):

)(

)(

) (

))

Note that API includes a correction factor C2, which is an SI to imperial correction factor. As SI units are employed in the program, this factor is omitted here. Where: Wn = The discharge rate (kg/s); Cd = The discharge co-efficient for vapour4; An = The hole area (mm2); Mw = Molecular weight; gc = Gravitational Constant;
3 4

A conservative value of 0.90 is used in accordance with API 581:2008, para. 5.3.3. A conservative value of 0.90 is used in accordance with API 581:2008, para. 5.3.3.

Ps = The normal operating pressure (Pa)