What is Static Pressure and Total Static Pressure in Aspen FlareNet?

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What is Static Pressure and Total Static

Pressure in Aspen FlareNet?
Hooman T.
Specialist Process Engineer (MIChemE, CEng)

Hooman

Dears,
Sometimes judgement on static (back) pressure term used in Aspen
FlareNet makes confusion for users. In below, Ive brought briefed
explanations to clarify the meaning of static pressure term used in
Aspen FlareNet. Main part of following explanations has been taken
from Brian Marshall post, who has contributed in producing Aspen
FlareNet.
Total back pressure in Aspen FlareNet is not what you use for PSV
design. Its assumed the summation of static pressure (built-up
pressure + super imposed pressure) and dynamic pressure (velocity
head).It is only the static pressure that you need to consider for flare
sizing by Aspen FlareNet. The kinetic portion of the pressure acts
only in the direction of travel of the gas whereas static pressure acts
in all directions. Static pressure includes i) superimposed back
pressure which is caused by other sources connected to flare header,
which usually is atmospheric pressure at the flare tip, and ii) built up
back pressure which is caused by the gas flowing from the PSV to
the tip.
Although, in case of high speed (mach number >0.4), total back
pressure is recommended to use instead of static back pressure, in
Aspen FlareNet.
In other side, MABP (maximum allowable back pressure) for each
PSV is calculated by Aspen FlareNet based on type of selected PSV
(conventional, balance bellowed, pilot), and concerned relief
pressure.
In case static (back) pressure exceeds MABP, WARNING message
is appeared for concerned pipeline, that it means user need to
change type of PSV (e.g, conventional to balance bellowed), or
increase pipe line diameter in order to having a static (back) pressure
less than MABP.
Regards,

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Comments

Emad D., Bong-Yul C. and 3 others like this

 5 comments

L
J

Brian M.
Managing Director at Softbits Consultants

G
T

Hooman,
P

Brian
Nicely summed up except for ...

Although, in case of high speed (mach number >0.4), total back pressure is recommended to use
instead of static back pressure, in Aspen FlareNet.
not sure where you got this from but its not true, sorry. total bP should not be used , even at high
velocities
Hooman T.
Specialist Process Engineer (MIChemE, CEng)

Hooman

Thanks Brian for your notice.

As I was not sure about the mentioned recommendation, I asked Aspen support team, and they
confirmed it. I've brought their reply in below kindly for your info;
Regards,
Hooman
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------From: eSupport@aspentech.com [mailto:eSupport@aspentech.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 9:48 AM
To: Tabaraei, Hooman
Subject: [1277763] Two questions regarding Aspen Flarenet
Dear Hooman,
Yes you are right, The option to include or ignore the kinetic energy in the energy balance is
usually only important in high speed flows.
Depending on the system and the relative velocity changes, the resulting temperature changes
may be important since other fluid properties (density, viscosity etc.) are temperature dependent.
Including the kinetic energy in the energy balance represents the most rigorous model, but usually
the effects are small unless the network has high velocity flows.
Best Regards,
Nag
Brian M.
Managing Director at Softbits Consultants

Brian

Hooman
you and they are getting confused here.
The option to include kinetic energy in FNT takes account of the KE of the gases coming into the
PSV and balances rhoVi2/2 + Hi = rhoV02/2 + Ho. In other words the KE of the gas entering the
PSV is applied the overall energy balance. This can give you a colder gas temp coming out of the

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PSV, depending on the composition, anything from 1 to 10 C. This is the most accurate way to
simulate.
It is not really dependant on the speed of the gases in the header.
Brian M.
Managing Director at Softbits Consultants
sorry i should add this is not the velocity head as in static + vel head =total P
Brian
Frank P.
research at Consultant

Frank

I think that when velocities (in/out) are very different

the energy balance
hin+1/2*vin^2 = ho+1/2*vo^2
is the correct way to model a PSV,
I have found a long discussion (with the contribute of Brian) about how to model a PSV
http://www.cheresources.com/invision/topic/16104-psv-discharging-temperature/

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