Rupture Disk (Bursting Disc) and Safety Relief Valve Combination

Introduction The ASME Pressure Vessel Code permits the use of a rupture disk (bursting disc) device at both a safet relief valve!s inlet and outlet" This combination of rupture disks (bursting discs) and safet relief valves is becoming more and more common in oil# chemical# and petrochemical plants" This valve$disk combination ma have previousl been considered b some merel as an added e%pense" &t is no' 'ell accepted# ho'ever# that isolating a safet relief valve in this manner actuall saves mone in the follo'ing# five 'a s(

)ero process leakage to the atmosphere* +onger periods bet'een ma,or overhauls* Valves can be checked in place* +ess e%pensive valve trim material can be used* and Valve life is e%tended b isolating corrosive fluids from internal valve parts"

This bulletin has been published to give ou the facts# the applications# and the advantages of using rupture disks (bursting discs) and safet relief valves in series" Advantages of Rupture Disks sed in Combinations !it" Relief Valves There are at least five advantages to using rupture disks (bursting discs) for isolating safet relief valves" Advantage #o$ % )ero Process +eakage to the Atmosphere The most important reason for isolating safet relief valves 'ith rupture disks (bursting discs) is to prevent the process from leaking into the atmosphere" -n conventional safet relief valves# AP& Standard ./0 states that for an orifice si1e of 2 and smaller# the ma%imum allo'able leakage rate is 34 bubbles5minute (appro%imatel 0 cu" ft" per /3 hours)" A rupture disk (bursting disc) used at the inlet of a relief valve acts as a solid metal barrier bet'een the process and the valve"

6ot onl does the disk prevent air pollution (thereb satisf ing EPA regulations)# it can save ou mone " +eakage that customaril 'astes e%pensive product ever hour of ever da is stopped 'ith a rupture disk (bursting disc)5safet relief valve combination" Advantage #o$ & Allo's Safet 7elief Valves to be Tested in Place 8hen a rupture disk (bursting disc) is used to isolate a safet relief valve# the valve can be field tested in place" 8ith a reverse buckling rupture disk (bursting disc) installed at the valve inlet# the safet relief valve can be tested on the spot b one man 'ith a portable pressure source" To accomplish this 'ithout removing the valve from the process (i"e"# 'here one has a properl functioning relief valve)# air or an inert gas such as 6itrogen is in,ected from an outside source into the chamber bet'een the rupture disk (bursting disc) and the safet relief valve inlet 'hen safe to do so (t picall 'hen the process is not running)" Pressure is increased# to a reasonable degree# until a popping action is heard or the valve simmers" -f course# one generall should not use air pressure e%ceeding 994: of the rated pressure marked on the reverse buckling disk tag" Advantage #o$ ' Valve +ife is E%tended Safet relief valve life e%tension is the third ma,or advantage for using a disk5valve combination" The rupture disk (bursting disc) acts as a solid metal barrier bet'een the valve and the process" The disk prevents product buildup from adhering to mechanical components of the valve that other'ise could affect valve performance and the safet of the s stem" ;ecause the process media 'ill not come in contact 'ith the internal surfaces and parts of the valve# it 'ill remain in better condition until called upon to relieve pressure" Advantage #o$ ( +onger Periods ;et'een Ma,or -verhauls ;ecause the valve!s internals are not normall e%posed to process contamination# the remain in a protected condition# allo'ing longer periods bet'een ma,or overhauls" Advantage #o$ ) +ess E%pensive Valve Material can be <sed The large initial cost of the safet relief valve can be reduced b ordering valves from less e%pensive metal and isolating the valve 'ith a rupture disk (bursting disc)" 2or e%ample# if a =astello > valve might normall be re?uired# use a carbon steel valve 'ith =astello trim# resulting in an average 0.: savings" The savings 'ill more than pa for the rupture disk (bursting disc) plus give advantages 9 thru 3# above" > =astello is the registered trademark name of =a nes &nternational# &nc" Safety Relief Valve Isolation Applications To isolate safet relief valves 'ith rupture disks (bursting discs)# one should use a reverse

buckling disk" This disk can 'ithstand pressures in t'o directions* thus allo'ing the valve to be field checked in place and eliminating the necessit of a vacuum support for vacuum process" The follo'ing is a guide to selecting rupture disks for each application" %$ #*+ C,#S-R C-I,# .VA/V* I#/*- IS,/A-I,# 2or ne' construction# the ;S@; STA$SA2A S stem is recommended for relief valve inlet isolation" The STA$SA2A S stem is a proven concept in rupture disk (bursting disc) and safet head technolog " The STA$SA2A rupture disk device fits bet'een ASME B A6S& 5 E6 5 and C&S flanges# can be pre$tor?ued in the shop and assures correct installation b means of a C$bolt and disk centering pins" The STA$SA2A holder# t pe S7;$D7SE# is used 'ith either the S$F4TM# C7STM# 7+STM # SGrE# +PSE or SigmaE reverse buckling rupture disks# depending on the burst pressure re?uired and service conditions" The STA$SA2A S stem covers most ranges of safet relief valve set pressures" 2or gas service# use an of the STA$SA2A S stem reverse buckling rupture disks in the S7;$D7S =ead" 2or li?uid service# use the t pe 7+SE# SG7E# +PSE or SigmaE t pe rupture disks" 7efer to the 7+STM reverse buckling disk for higher pressures" Specifications for each of these rupture disk t pes ma be found on the ;S@; 'eb site" The STA$SA2A S stem is ideal for isolating safet relief valves# 'ith the follo'ing advantages(

Available in si1es 9H thru I4H* Jesigned for non fragmentation* 2ail Safe* +o' damage and reversal ratio* 6o knife blades to maintain* and -perating pressure up to 944: of the disk minimum burst pressure (SigmaTM)* all disks ma be used up to F4: of minimum burst pressure"

&$ R*-R,0I-.VA/V* I#/*- IS,/A-I,# 2or isolating safet relief valves alread in service 'ith rigid discharge piping# the SV&TM 7upture Jisk (;ursting Jisc) Assembl is recommended" The SV&TM is a reverse buckling S$F4TM 7upture Jisk (;ursting Jisc) similar to the one described above# but 'elded into its o'n one$piece assembl that slips into the inlet piping" The SV&TM is uni?ue in that(

6o safet heads are re?uired* &t fits into e%isting piping* &t has all of the advantages of the S$F4TM 7upture Jisk (;ursting Jisc)* and &t is available in si1es 9$95/H thru 0H (including /$95/H)"

'$ #*+ C,#S-R C-I,# ,R R*-R,0I-.VA/V* , -/*- IS,/A-I,# 8ith tighter EPA regulations causing safet relief valves to be manifolded rather than discharged to the atmosphere# it is important to isolate the safet relief valve outlet (as 'ell as the inlet) 'ith a rupture disk (bursting disc) to prevent Hbackflo'H corrosion @ to isolate valves 'hose set pressure is affected b variable back pressure" The t pe AVTM +o' Pressure 7upture Jisk (;ursting Jisc) is the perfect fit for this ,ob"

The AVTM Jisk re?uires no Safet =eads# comes 'ith its o'n gaskets and fits bet'een standard ASME B A6S& 5 E6 5 C&S flanges" &ts advantages are ideal for valve outlet isolation(

+o' burst pressures# 9 to 9. psig* ;ursts at e?ual pressure in both directions (9(9 7atio)* Cannot be installed 'rong# as both sides are identical* and Available in si1es /H thru I0H"

2or more specifics on materials# pressures# and other data on the above ;S@; 7upture Jisks for safet relief valve isolation# consult the follo'ing ;S@; ;ulletins( 1roduct STA$SA2A and S$F4TM or C7STM STA$SA2A and 7+STM STA$SA2A and SGrTM STA$SA2A and +PSTM STA$SA2A and SigmaTM SV&TM AVTM Bulletin #umber DD$3449 DD$3449 DD$344I DD$344/ DD$3499 DD$344. DD$K449

0acts in Selecting a Rupture Disk Device (Bursting Disc) or Safety Relief Valve To better understand the use of rupture disks (bursting discs) to isolate safet relief valves# compare the advantages and disadvantages of each relief device" SA0*-2 R*/I*0 VA/V* 9" Metal seated valves leak to the atmosphere $loss of product as 'ell as pollution of the atmosphere" /" =igh cost" I" =igh maintenance re?uired$Since the process goes through the valve# it must be checked periodicall for correct operation" The s stem must be shut do'n" 3" Ad,ustable" ." ;lo' do'n $ recloses after pressure relief" 0" 7eusable$recloses after each operation" R 1- R* DIS3 D*VIC*

9" /" I" 3" ." 0"

+eak tight" +o' cost" +o' maintenance" 2i%ed Setting" 6on$reclosing Jisposable (rupture disk5bursting disc) $must be replaced after each operation"

R 1- R* DIS34SA0*-2 R*/I*0 VA/V* C,5BI#A-I,# 9" /" I" 3" ." 0" +eak tight" Medium cost" Medium maintenance re?uired" Ad,ustable" ;lo'do'n$recloses after pressure relief" Valve is reusable# disk is disposable"

-elltale Indicator The ASME code re?uires that the space bet'een a rupture disk (bursting disc) device and a safet relief valve be provided 'ith a pressure gauge# tricock# free vent# or suitable telltale indicator"