Denaga, Maria Kathryna E.

ChE 428-Safety in the Process Industry 6/22/18

Jumao-as, Charelyn G.
Odilao, Zed Brier K.
CRITIQUE PAPER ON THE API CODE (For Pressure Relief Valves)
API Recommended Practice 520 (API RP 520), Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-
Relieving Devices

The scope for the API code is quite vast that specifications for every equipment (pressure valves,
vessels, etc.) are given each an API standard or recommended practice in document form. For
pressure relief valves, the API Code, API RP 520, was established by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). In order to protect pressure vessels and related equipment against overpressure
from operating and fire contingencies, the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommended this
practice which includes basic definitions and information about the operational characteristics
and applications of various pressure relief devices. This code also includes sizing procedures,
selection, and installation of the device. This is particularly done to know appropriate ways of
reducing pressure and restricting heat input. The discussion on the content of this code is
summarized in the following paragraphs.

Pressure relief device is actuated by inlet static pressure and designed to open during emergency
or abnormal conditions to prevent a rise of internal fluid pressure in excess of a specified design
rate. This device may also be designed to prevent excessive internal vacuum. This could be a
pressure relief valve, a non-reclosing pressure device, or a vacuum relief valve. A pressure relief
valve is designed to open and relieve excess pressure and to reclose and prevent the further flow
of fluid after normal conditions have been restored. Relief devices include relief valve, safety
valve, safety relief valve, conventional pressure relief valve, balanced pressure relief valve and
pilot operated pressure relief valve. On the other hand, non-reclosing pressure relief device
remains open after operation. A manual resetting means may be provided. This device includes
rupture disk device and pin actuated device. In the recommended practice, dimensional and
operational characteristics and specific applications of pressure relieve devices are also taken
into consideration.

To establish the size and design of a pressure relief device for any applications, system and
surrounding conditions for which overpressure protection may be required must first be
determined. The contingencies that may cause overpressure must be evaluated in terms of the
pressure generated and rates at which fluids must be relieved.

Significantly, this practice also considered the API effective area and effective coefficient of
discharge. Pressure relief valves may be initially sized as to where they are appropriate such us
when fluids are gases, vapors, liquids or two-phase liquids. This is to utilize effective coefficient
of discharge and effective area which are independent of any specific value design. The designer
could then select a pressure relief valve with the use of API Std 526.
Denaga, Maria Kathryna E. ChE 428-Safety in the Process Industry 6/22/18
Jumao-as, Charelyn G.
Odilao, Zed Brier K.
For pressure relief valves, the API Code (API RP 520) was “intended to protect unfired pressure
vessels and other related equipment against overpressure from operation and for fire
contingencies” (American Petroleum Institute, 2000). This 100-page document for this specific
valve alone opens up the purpose for setting the recommended practice for its installation,
design, and even its operation. The statement was mentioned in the introduction of the code
pertaining to the premise of safety in the workplace (i.e. the plant). In most plants, there are
operations using enclosed vessels or related equipment that are under pressure. The primary
purpose of the relief valve is to protect pressurized equipment against overpressure or pressure
increase over the set pressure of a certain equipment. Reading the entire document was rigorous
but it was necessary due to the premise as stated beforehand. If these valves and the equipment
itself were not given specifications and standards, the worst-case scenario would be explosion of
the equipment (due to the overpressure) and damage to the plant, which would cut off
production and of course, great expenses for the damage.

The code detailed on the terms used in this valve’s operation, working conditions of the pressure
valve, the design, and even its installation. These details which most of the time we overlook at
now are indeed necessary for the following reasons: (a) protection of the equipment from
overpressure, and (b) for mitigation of the contingencies that may cause the overpressure.
According to Section 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of the said code, establishing the size and design of the relief
valve for any application and evaluation of contingencies must be done to prevent the said
overpressure. It was quite oblivious for us to think about the possible events that might occur
when the design of the valve is not standardized. And it is not just the valve itself, but the entire
process operation of the plant. As section 3.1.2 dictates, contingencies that may cause
overpressure are (1) pressure generated, and (2) rates at which fluids must be relieved. That is
why process flow diagrams, material balances, piping, and instrumentation diagrams are needed
to be able to calculate the relieving rates and pressures.

The principles on momentum transport processes are also very much needed for the design,
installation, and maintenance of the pressure valves. One of these principles is the momentum
balance which is imperative for the design of the valves since pressure is dealt with. Most plants
deal with flowing media which would cause sudden surges in the pipe due to an increase in
pressure according to section 2.2.1.2.4. Without noting on the calculations needed by
establishing the momentum balance, chances are that pressure cannot be determined properly
and cannot be monitored well. Recall that pressure changes during plant operation are necessary
to avoid the risk of overpressure.

It is about time to appreciate the reasons why material and energy balances in the Chemical
Engineering courses that we are taking up are very much important. Reading this code made us
Denaga, Maria Kathryna E. ChE 428-Safety in the Process Industry 6/22/18
Jumao-as, Charelyn G.
Odilao, Zed Brier K.
realize this fact. Recalling that as chemical engineers, we are to deal with equipment ten times
our size and expose ourselves to higher risks everyday working as professionals dealing with
safety every second inside the plant. If we do not pay attention to even the tiniest detail of a
certain equipment, the pressure-relief valve for instance, or if we overlook the importance of
specifying the diameter, working pressure, design pressure, effects, etc.; we are close to making
the greatest mistake which would cause the death of the plant’s operation, company reputation,
and eventually our careers.