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13 - 010

Theory

Equipment
Safety devices
Safety devices are designed to prevent the pressure in systems (vessels, piping)
from exceeding the design pressure as a result of unforeseen circumstances.
Safety devices must prevent rupture and any resulting explosions.
Safety devices are required by law for systems operating above a specific
pressure. Compliance with these statutory regulations is monitored by the
government nominated inspection body (Inspectorate).
This lesson examines two of the safety devices most commonly used: safety
devices with a valve and safety devices with a rupture disc.

Contents of the lesson

1

Safety devices in general

Safety devices with a valve

Safety devices with a rupture disc

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reserved. Neither the whole or any part of this document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means (electronic,
mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.

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Lesson
1. Safety devices in general
- safety devices
- Inspectorate
- guard
- registration
number
- life history

Safety devices are under the supervision of the government nominated

inspection body (Inspectorate). To prevent tampering, each safety device is
fitted with a guard that can be secured with a lock. Unauthorised persons are
strictly prohibited from opening or breaking the lock on the guard.
A second measure to increase safety is affixing a unique company registration
number. Under this number the device is included in a central register. The
register records the entire 'life history' of the safety device. Repairs, adjustments
etc. are recorded in a log against the registration number. When the safety
device is replaced, the new device will therefore need a different registration
number.
Third, no cocks or valves are allowed to be fitted upstream or downstream of the
safety devices, as they will be able to deactivate the safety device.
Question 1
Which three measures have been taken to increase the safety in connection with
safety devices?

2. Safety devices with a valve

2.1 General
Safety devices with a valve have the advantage of being adjustable and of
functioning properly after activation (opening due to overpressure) has taken
place, in contrast with safety devices with a rupture disc.
- spring load
- weight load

In principle, there are two types of safety devices with a valve: those with a
spring load and those with a weight load. In this section, we will limit ourselves
to devices operating under a spring load. We will discuss two designs of such
devices.

2.2 Relief valve

thermo-relief valve

Figure 1 shows a type of device that is often used as a relief valve on pipes as a
protection against overpressure due to the thermal expansion of (blocked-in)
liquid. This valve is also used as an overflow valve in positive displacement
pumps. This thermo-relief valve is a simple safety device in which a wing valve
is pressed against the valve seats by direct spring action. The spring is kept
under pre-compression between two spring cups by an adjusting screw. A
locking nut fixes the adjusting screw in position.

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5590 010-001

Figure 1
Thermo-relief valve

5590 010-002

Figure 2
Safety valve

2.3 Safety valve

Figure 2 shows a safety valve of the type mounted on many pressure vessels.
This device is in principle identical to the relief valve, but with the following
differences.
- adjusting ring

The valve moves within an adjusting ring. Rotating this adjusting ring changes
the path followed by the gas or steam blown off, and consequently also changes
the valve lift.

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An adjusting ring is also fitted around the valve seat. This ring also influences
the passage and can thus influence the blow-off rate. Both rings can be fixed in
position by means of locking screws.
Question 2
How can the pressure at which the valve opens be adjusted?
Question 3
What is the difference between a relief valve and a safety valve?

3. Safety devices with a rupture disc

Sometimes a safety device is mounted on a vessel containing highly corrosive
substances under pressure. These substances can corrode the casing and the
valve of a safety device, impairing the reliability and the safe operation of the
device. All the same, the safety device cannot be dispensed with.
- rupture disc

- PIA (pressure
indicator alarm)

This problem is overcome by using a device called a rupture disc. This is a plate
in metal, graphite or other corrosion-resistant material, which is fitted between
the vessel and the safety device. This is done in such a way that the medium
cannot come into contact with the safety device. The arrangement is shown in
figure 3.
The pressure at which the rupture disc ruptures is in principle equal to the setpressure of the safety device. In practice, however, it is possible for the rupture
disc to rupture well before the valve opens, which cancels out its protective
function.
To receive a warning in the event of this happening, twin pressure gauges, such
as a PIA (pressure indicator alarm), are fitted in the space between the rupture
disc and the valve
Figure 4 shows the components of a complete rupture disc with rings, flanges,
etc.

Figure 3
Mounted rupture disc

5590 010-003

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If a vessel contains substances of a nature which does not preclude an explosive

reaction, the safety valve may be replaced by a rupture disc. This is also allowed
in situations where during operation the vessel may be subjected to vacuum
conditions.
Question 4
Why are pressure gauges fitted between the rupture disc and the valve?

5590 010-004

Figure 4
Complete rupture disc

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Summary
To prevent dangerous pressures from building up in vessels, these vessels are
fitted with safety devices. These devices are required by law and are under the
supervision of the government nominated inspection body (Inspectorate).
There are safety devices with a valve or with a rupture disc, or a combination of
the two.
The devices with a valve are self-recovering and continue to function properly
after activation has taken place; in devices with a rupture disc, the rupture disc
must be replaced following an overpressure event.
For increased safety, locked guards are used and all data are recorded against a
unique registration number. No cocks or valves may be fitted upstream or
downstream of the safety devices, as these might deactivate the safety devices.

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Test
Exercises
Do not send in your answers for correction
1. Which authority monitors the safety of pressure vessels?
2. What is a relief valve?

Answers to the questions in the lesson

1. The following three measures increase safety:
- fitting a lockable guard;
- affixing a registration number and recording information;
- avoiding cocks and valves upstream or downstream of a safety device.
2. By means of turning the adjusting screw under the guard in or out.
3. A safety valve has the added feature of adjusting rings around the valve and
the valve seat, which enable the adjustment of the blow-off rate.
4. To be able to observe whether the rupture disc is ruptured; from the outside it
is impossible to see directly whether the rupture disc is ruptured.

Answers to the exercises

1. The government nominated inspection body (Inspectorate).
2. A valve that has to prevent overpressure due to thermal expansion in
blocked-in liquid systems.

Problems and assignments

Answer and send in for correction
1. Why are pressure systems fitted with safety devices?
2. Why is the guard of a safety device secured with a lock?
3. When is a rupture disc used?