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9
0
1) = 9 ( 1)
0
9
(Eq. 1)
where is the Omega parameter, v0 and v9 are specific volume at upstream and 90%
conditions, respectively, and 0 and 9 are density at upstream and 90% conditions,
respectively.
=
(0.70356+0.014685 ln )
[1 + (1.0446 0.0093431) 0.56261 ]
0
= 0
(Eq. 2)
(Eq. 3)
where c is the critical pressure ratio, Pc is the pressure corresponding to critical flow at the
nozzle throat in the relief valve in absolute units, Pa is the total back pressure at the outlet of the
valve in absolute units, and P0 is the upstream relief pressure in absolute units.
If c exceeds a, then the flow through the relief valve is critical, and the following equation
should be used to calculate the maximum mass flux:
0
0 0
= 1
=
0
(Eq. 4)
where G is the maximum mass flux through the valve in lb/s-ft or kg/s-m, P0 is in psia or Pa, v0
is in ft/lb or m/kg, and 0 is in lb/ft or kg/m. C1 = 68.09 in U.S. customary units, or 1.0 in SI
units.
If c does not exceed a, then the flow through the relief valve is subcritical, and the following
equation should be used to calculate the maximum mass flux:
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0 0
2[ ln + ( 1) (1 )]
1
( 1) + 1
(Eq. 5)
Once the maximum mass flux has been obtained, the required effective discharge area may be
calculated by
2
(Eq. 6)
where A is the required effective discharge area in mm, w is the required relief load in kg/h, Kd
is the discharge coefficient of the valve, Kb is the backpressure correction factor (applicable to
balanced bellows valves only), Kc is the combination capacity factor, and Kv is the viscosity
correction factor. C2 = 0.04 for U.S. customary units, 277.8 for SI units.
=
When an orifice area has been selected, (Eq. 6) may be rearranged to find the rated capacity of
the valve:
= 277.8
(Eq. 7)
1.01325
= 0.112
8.03 + 1.01325
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Because c is larger than a, flow across the relief valve is choked, and the maximum mass flux
is calculated using (Eq. 4):
(112)(9.043) 1000 PakPa
= 0.694
= 4,912 kg/s-m
2.022
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0 aside from the discharge coefficient, which is
0.85 in accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
=
277.8(63,000)
= 4192 mm
0.85(4,912)
For a selected Q orifice with an effective area of 7129 mm, the rated capacity is calculated
using (Eq. 7):
=
0.85(4,912)(7,129)
= 107,100 kg/h
277.8
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The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 1.
Table 1. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Critical Two-Phase Flow
Variable
Units
kg/h
barg
barg
kg/m
Example
Calculation
63,000
8.03
7.227
112.0
kg/m
91.45
Omega Parameter ()
Critical Flow Ratio ( )
Flow Type
Maximum Mass Flux (G)
kg/s-m
Required Area (A)
mm
Rated Capacity (wmax)
kg/h
a. Blue = Calculation input
b. Black = Calculated value
2.022
0.694
Critical
4,912
4,192
107,000
Aspen HYSYS
63,000
8.03
Critical
4,448
101,000
1.01325 + 0.6
= 0.6318
1.54 + 1.01325
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Because c is smaller than a, flow across the relief valve is unchoked, and the maximum mass
flux is calculated using (Eq. 5), yielding a maximum mass flux G = 867.4 kg/m-s.
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0 aside from the discharge coefficient, which is
0.85 in accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
=
277.8(20,000)
= 7536 mm
0.85(867.4)
For a selected R orifice with an effective area of 10322.5 mm, the rated capacity is calculated
using (Eq. 7):
=
0.85(867.4)(10322.5)
= 27,400 kg/h
277.8
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 2.
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Table 2. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Subcritical Two-Phase Flow
Variable
Units
kg/h
barg
barg
kg/m
Example
Calculation
20,000
1.54
1.28
8.264
kg/m
7.399
Omega Parameter ()
Critical Flow Ratio ( )
Flow Type
Maximum Mass Flux (G)
kg/s-m
Required Area (A)
mm
Rated Capacity (wmax)
kg/h
a. Blue = Calculation input
b. Black = Calculated value
1.052
0.6131
Subcritical
867.4
7,536
27,400
Aspen HYSYS
20,000
1.54
Subcritical
7,710
26,780
where 0
(Eq. 8)
High or low subcooling is determined via the transition saturation pressure ratio, which is
calculated as
=
2
1 + 2
(Eq. 9)
(Eq. 10)
where st is the transition saturation pressure ratio, s is the saturation pressure ratio, Ps is the
saturation pressure in absolute units, and P0 is the upstream pressure in absolute units.
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If st exceeds s, then relief is considered to lie in the high subcooling region, and flow will
necessarily be critical unless the total back pressure exceeds the saturation pressure (but in this
case, the fluid is liquid across the valve, and the API liquid sizing will be sufficient to calculate
the orifice size). Otherwise, relief is considered to lie in the low subcooling region, and a
check must be made to determine if the flow across the PRV is critical or subcritical. The critical
pressure ratio may be estimated as
2
1 2 1
(
) [1 1 (
)]
2 1
(Eq. 11)
The back pressure ratioa is calculated using (Eq. 3) as with the non-subcooled method.
For low subcooling, the maximum mass flux is calculated using the following equation:
0 0
(Eq. 12)
2(1 ) + 2 [ ln ( 1)( )]
( 1) + 1
For critical flow, = ; for subcritial flow, = . Pressure is in psia or Paa. C1 = 68.09 for
U.S. customary units, 1.0 for SI units.
= 1
For high subcooling, the maximum mass flux is calculated using the following equation:
= 1 2 0 (0 )
(Eq. 13)
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29.23
= 9 (
1) = 6.011
17.53
2(6.011)
= 0.9232
1 + 2(6.011)
The saturation pressure ratio is 0.9404; because this is greater than the transition ratio, this
case involves low subcooling, and the critical pressure ratio is calculated using (Eq. 11):
0.9404 (
2(6.011)
1
2(6.011) 1
) [1 1
(
)] = 0.8633
2(6.011) 1
0.9404
2(6.011)
The back pressure ratio of 0.0573 is much lower than the critical pressure ratio, so the flow is
critical. The maximum mass flux is calculated using (Eq. 12) with = ; the result is that
G = 2,150 lb/s-ft.
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Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0 aside from the discharge coefficient, which is
0.65 in accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
=
0.04(92,590)
= 2.650 in
0.65(2,150)
For a selected L orifice with an effective area of 2.853 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
=
0.65(2,150)(2.853)
= 99,680 lb/h
0.04
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 3.
Table 3. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Low Subcooled, Critical Flow
Variable
Units
lb/h
psig
psig
psig
lb/ft
Example
Calculation
92,590
242
226.7
202.6
29.23
lb/ft
17.53
Omega Parameter ()
Transition Subcool Ratio (st)
Critical Flow Ratio ( )
Flow Type
Aspen HYSYS
92,590
242.0
6.011
0.9232
0.8633
Low Subcool,
Critical
2,150
2.650
99,680
Critical
2.663
99,180
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Setting up a stream in HYSYS at the relief conditions and flashing appropriately yields the
following properties:
0 = 35.17 lb/ft
Ps = 57.13 psia
P9 = 51.4 psia
9 = 13.72 lb/ft
The omega parameter is calculated using (Eq. 8):
35.17
= 9 (
1) = 14.07
13.72
The transition saturation pressure ratio is calculated using (Eq. 9):
=
2(14.07)
= 0.9657
1 + 2(14.07)
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The saturation pressure ratio is 0.9733; because this is greater than the transition ratio, this
case involves low subcooling, and the critical pressure ratio is calculated using (Eq. 11):
0.9733 (
2(14.07)
1
2(14.07) 1
) [1 1
(
)] = 0.9130
2(14.07) 1
0.9733
2(14.07)
The back pressure ratio of 0.9319 is higher than the critical pressure ratio, so the flow is
subcritical. The maximum mass flux is calculated using (Eq. 12) with = = 0.9319; the
result is that G = 765.4 lb/s-ft.
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0 aside from the discharge coefficient, which is
0.65 in accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
=
0.04(92,590)
= 7.444 in
0.65(765.4)
For a selected Q orifice with an effective area of 11.05 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
=
0.65(765.4)(11.05)
= 137,400 lb/h
0.04
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 4.
Table 4. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Low Subcooled, Subcritical
Flow
Variable
Units
lb/h
psig
psig
psig
lb/ft
Example
Calculation
92,590
44
42.43
36.7
35.17
lb/ft
13.72
Omega Parameter ()
Transition Subcool Ratio (st)
Critical Flow Ratio ( )
Flow Type
Aspen HYSYS
92,590
44.00
14.07
0.9657
0.9130
Low Subcool,
Critical
765.4
7.444
137,400
Critical
7.450
137,300
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2(6.693)
= 0.9305
1 + 2(6.693)
The saturation pressure ratio is 0.7912; because this is less than the transition ratio, this case
involves high subcooling, and the critical pressure ratio is equal to the saturation pressure
ratio. The maximum mass flux is calculated using (Eq. 13):
= 68.092(30.34)(256.7 203.1) = 3,883 lb/s-ft
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0 aside from the discharge coefficient, which is
0.65 in accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
=
0.04(92,590)
= 1.467 in
0.65(3,883)
For a selected K orifice with an effective area of 1.838 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
=
0.65(3,883)(1.838)
= 116,000 lb/h
0.04
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 5.
Table 5. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for High Subcooled, Critical Flow
Variable
Units
lb/h
psig
psig
psig
lb/ft
Example
Calculation
92,590
242
188.4
168.1
30.34
lb/ft
17.40
Omega Parameter ()
Transition Subcool Ratio (st)
Flow Type
Aspen HYSYS
92,590
242.0
6.693
0.9305
High Subcool,
Critical
3,883
1.467
116,000
Critical
1.473
115,600
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a. Equations
The nozzle equation is
2
(Eq. 14)
2
where G is the mass flux in lb/ft-s or kg/m-s, v is the specific volume in ft/lb or m/kg, and dp is
the differential pressure increment in lbf/ft or Pa.
2 =
This is approximated as
2
2
where is the average specific volume over the pressure increment p.
2
(Eq. 15)
The sum is performed from the relief pressure until either a maximum value of G is reached or
the back pressure Pa is reached. If the maximum in G occurs above Pa, then the flow is choked.
b. Example
The example is based on the following conditions:
Composition: 25% n-octane, 35% n-decane, 30% n-C11, 10% nitrogen using the HYSYS
SRK package for physical properties
Relief conditions: 176 psig, 122 F
Required relief load: 136,500 lb/h
A property table may be used to obtain the mass density along an isentropic path for numerical
integration:
Pressure,
psia
190.7
180.7
170.7
160.7
150.7
140.7
130.7
120.7
110.7
100.7
90.7
Mass Density,
lb/ft
23.21
22.48
21.71
20.90
20.06
19.18
18.25
17.28
16.25
15.17
14.04
Specific Volume,
ft/lb
0.0431
0.0445
0.0461
0.0478
0.0499
0.0521
0.0548
0.0579
0.0615
0.0659
0.0712
,
ft/s
0.0
2028
2098
2175
2263
2363
2477
2610
2766
2952
3177
Mass Flux,
lb/ft-s
0.0
1432
1972
2347
2625
2835
2988
3092
3150
3164
3133
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Note that the mass flux reaches a maximum at a pressure of 100.7 psia, indicating that flow is
choked and the relief mass flux is 3164 lb/ft-s.
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0 aside from the discharge coefficient, which is
0.85 in accordance with guidance from API for two-phase flow at relief conditions, the required
area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
=
0.04(136,500)
= 2.030 in
0.85(3,164)
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For a selected L orifice with an effective area of 2.853 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
=
0.85(3,164)(2.853)
= 191,800 lb/h
0.04
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 6.
Table 6. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Direct Integration
Variable
Units
Example
Calculation
136,500
176
122
3,164
2.030
191,800
Aspen HYSYS
136,500
176.0
122.0
3,115
2.065
188,600
4. Noise
a. Equations
The equations for computing noise level for atmospheric relief valves are given in section
5.8.10.3 of API Standard 521. [2] The noise level at 30 m from the point of discharge is
calculated using the following equation:
1
(Eq. 16)
30 = + 10 log10 (
2)
7200
where w is the mass flow through the valve in kg/h, c is the speed of sound in the gas at the
valve in m/s, and L is the sound level in decibels.
The speed of sound may be computed as:
= 91.2
(Eq. 17)
where k is the ideal specific heat ratio in the gas, T is the temperature in K, and M is the
molecular weight of the gas.
The value of L in (Eq. 16) is read from a figure in the text. It may be approximated using two
semilog curve fits:
39.461 ln + 12.648 2.866
={
2.1716 ln + 51.914 > 2.866
where X is the pressure ratio across the pressure relief valve.
(Eq. 18)
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b. Example
The example is based on the following conditions:
Composition: 100% air using the HYSYS PR package for physical properties
Relief conditions: 330 kPaa, 311 K
Required relief load: 52,560 kg/h
Setting up a stream in HYSYS at the relief conditions will yield the following properties:
M = 28.95
k = 1.404
The speed of sound may be calculated using (Eq. 17) as:
(1.404)(311)
= 91.2
= 354.2 m/s
(28.95)
Based on a pressure ratio of 330101.325 = 3.26, the contribution due to pressure ratio may be
estimated by (Eq. 18) to be 54.5 dB. Then, the total noise level is calculated using (Eq. 16):
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30 = 54.5 + 10 log10 (
1
52,560 (354.2)2 ) = 114.1 dB
7200
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 7.
Table 7. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Noise
Variable
Units
Example
Calculation
52,560
330 kPaa
311 K
114.1
Aspen HYSYS
52,560
2.287 barg
37.85 C
112.5
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5. Reaction Forces
a. Equations
The equations for computing reaction forces on the outlet piping of atmospheric relief valves are
given in section 4.4.1 of API Recommended Practice 520 Part II. [3] The reaction force due to
vapor discharge is calculated using the following equation:
=
+ 0.1 3
( + 1)
27.9
(Eq. 19)
where F is the reaction force in N, w is the required relief load in kg/h, k is the ideal specific heat
ratio of the gas, T is the discharge temperature in K, M is the molecular weight of the gas, A is
the area of the pipe at the point of discharge in mm, and p3 is the static pressure at the outlet in
barg (that is, 0 for flow that is unchoked at the outlet, or the choke pressure for flow that is
choked at the outlet).
b. Example
The example is based on the following conditions:
Composition: 30% propane, 70% n-butane using the HYSYS SRK package for physical
properties
Relief conditions: 4.4 barg, 112.4 C
Required relief load: 36,970 kg/h
Fluid properties at relief may be observed to be:
M = 53.92
k = 1.078
P* = 0.8152 bara
The reaction force may be calculated using (Eq. 19). Because the choke pressure is less than
atmospheric pressure, the second term may be neglected.
(1.078)(112.4 + 273.15)
1
(36,970)
= 2,552 N
(2.078)(53.92)
27.9
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 8.
Table 8. Comparison of Example Calculation and Aspen HYSYS Calculation for Reaction Force
Variable
Units
Example
Calculation
36,970
112.4
2,552
Aspen HYSYS
36,970
112.4
2,552
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REFERENCES
[1] American Petroleum Institute, API Standard 520 Part I 9th Ed.: Sizing, Selection, and
Installation of Pressure-relieving Devices, Washington, DC: API Publishing Services, 2014.
[2] American Petroleum Institute, API Standard 521 6th Ed.: Pressure-relieving and
Depressuring Systems, Washington, DC: API Publishing Services, 2014.
[3] American Petroleum Institute, API Recommended Practice 520 Part II 5th Ed., Reaffirmed,
Washington: API Publishing Services, 2011.
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