PRESENTATION ON

VENT CALCULATION
&
DEVICE
SPECIFICATIONS
Applicable code: API 520 Part I and II
Dilip Maurya

Basis for Relief Capacities-Selected Conditions

Condition

Relieving Capacity

Closed Outlet on vessel

Max liquid pump in rate, Total incoming

vapor + that generated in process

Cooling Water failure to condenser

Total vapor to condenser

Reflux Failure

Total incoming vapor + that generated in

process

Accumulation of non-condensable

Total incoming vapor + that generated in

process

Volatile material in hot oil like water or light

HC

Total vaporization of foreign material

Overfilling of storage or surge vessel

Max liquid pump in rate

Abnormal heat or vapor input

Max vapor generation including noncondensables from over heating

Chemical Reaction, Run-away reactions,

Utility failure

Estimated vapor generation

External Fire

Max vapor generation due to heat input

Power/Utility failure

Case by case basis, Size for run-away

reactions if in reactor.

Please refer Table 1 on page 21 of API 520 Part 1 for other cases

Deciding Relieving Pressure

Relieving press = set pressure + overpressure +
atmospheric pressure (This value is used in calculation of PSV
opening)
Set pressure: Inlet gauge pressure at which pressure relief
valve is set to open
Overpressure: Pressure increase over set pressure of relieving
device
Accumulated Pressure: Pressure increase over MAWP of
vessel during discharge. Maximum value as per code.

Set Pressure of Relief Valve

Deciding Relieving Pressure

Under Operating Contingencies
Single Valve

Multiple Valve

Deciding Relieving Pressure

Under Fire Contingencies
Single Valve

Multiple Valve

Calculation of vent load

Define worst case scenarios
For e.g.: Case 1: Run-away reaction
Case 2: External Fire
Others.

External Fire Case

Find heat input
1. If adequate drainage and fire fighting measures available,
Use, Q = 21000 * F * A0.82 (BTU/hr)
2. If drainage and fire fighting is not available then
Use, q = 21000 * F * A-0.18 (BTU/hr.ft)
A = Wetted area in ft
F = Environment factor (Depends on insulation)
1 BTU = 0.252 kcal

Calculation of vent load

Wetted Area (Table D-2, page 54 of API 520 Part 1) :
(Area wetted by liquid)

Calculation of vent load

Environment factor (Table D-3, page 55 of API 520 Part 1) :

Calculation of vent load

Find boiling point (B.P.) of liquid at set pressure of relieving
device
Calculate sensible heat taken by liquid to reach B.P.
(Q1 = m*Cp*DeltaT)
Find amount of heat remaining Q2 = Q - Q1
If Q2 is negative, then no vaporization will occur. Find maximum temperature
material in tank will achieve. No venting is required in this case. However if fire
continues the material will eventually reach its B.P. and start vaporising.

If Q2 is positive then calculate vaporisation rate by

V1 = Q2/latent heat of fluid
However if there are no fire fighting efforts then heat input will continue and vaporization
rate should be calculated taking into account the total heat absorbed per hour.

If there are any decomposition reactions write down those and

find amount of material and thus volume generated (V2) per
hour.

Calculation of vent load

Find volume required to increase the pressure of the vessel to
the set pressure
If this is greater than V1 + V2 then set pressure will not be
achieved and ideally no venting will be required.
As fire may continue for long hours, it is necessary that the
vent load should be considered as whatever volume is
generated (V1+V2)
Convert this volume in Nm. Add little extra (say 10% to 20%
based on accuracy of data used) and achieve final venting load
required.

Calculation of vent load

Case of Liquid Expansion
Fire case may expand the liquid like utility in jacket/limpet.
For jackets the venting load shall be:
1. Expanded volume of liquid in one hour
2. Boil-up rate of any foreign volatile matter in the liquid
3. Others????

Specifying the Relief Device Process Data

Type of relief device
Based on Function
Relief Valve: Use with incompressible fluids, opens in proportion
to pressure increase over opening pressure
Safety Valve: Use with compressible fluids, rapid opening or
pop-up action
Safety Relief Valve: Either as safety or relief valve depending on
application
Rupture disk: Non-reclosing device, almost full opening

Based on Construction

Conventional Valve: Performance affected by back pressure

Balanced Valve: Minimizes the effect of back-pressure
Pilot Operated Valve: Main valve combined with an auxiliary
pressure relief valve

Specifying the Relief Device Process Data

Based on Construction
Conventional Rupture Disk: Generally used when operating
pressure is less than 70% of burst pressure
Scored Rupture Disk: Allows a closer ratio of system pressure
to burst pressure (85%)
Reverse Acting Disk: Even closer ratio (90%)

Figures
Pilot Operated

Balanced Bellow

Figures

Reverse Acting RD

Conventional RD

Specifying the Relief Device Process Data

Give set pressure
Give allowable accumulation pressure
Give constant back pressure (buffer, liquid head)
Give variable back pressure (as calculated)
Give flow rate (Nm/hr or kg/hr)
Give molecular weight (or average molecular weight)
Give operating pressure of system
Give operating temperature and flowing temperature
Give compressibility factor (= 1 if not available)
Give specific heat ratio (k)
Give end connection pressure rating
Give MOC

Standard Openings available in Relieving

Valves API 526
Designation

Effective Orifice Area (in)

0.110

0.196

0.307

0.503

0.785

1.287

1.838

2.853

3.60

4.34

6.38

11.05

16.0

26.0

If the venting load is such

that the area required for
venting is larger than the
maximum available as per
standard then install multiple
valves to match the required
area.
Area requirement shall be
calculated based on
prevailing condition and
appropriate formula
mentioned in API 520 Part 1.
Another session will be done
on this in future.

Some Remarks
Keep provision to change nozzle size on equipment till the relief
device is designed
Size the vent line such that the pressure drop is minimum
Use a velocity of 10-12 m/s for start of calculation
Always use long radius elbows in outlet of PSV
PSV should be installed such that non recoverable pressure loss in
the inlet piping of PSV should not exceed 3% of set pressure
Use a tell tale indicator for rupture disk
Isolation valves should be of full bore with provision for locking open.
If gate valves are used, stem should be horizontally oriented or
downward to a maximum of 45
If possible isolation valves should be color identified
One support of PSV outlet should be as close as possible to centre
line of vent pipe
Provide insulation or water curtain on tank to reduce the vent load

THANK YOU