Background

During the last visit of insurance surveyor in Aug 2015, it was

recommended to establish a design standard whereby
Remotely Operated Isolation Valve (ROIV) be installed at the
outlet line of each process vessel holding volume >10m3 in
case of LPG and >20 m3 for other hydrocarbon liquid heavier
than LPG.
Defining Selection Criteria
To establish a design standard API-553 (Refinery Valves and
Accessories for Control and Safety Instrumented Systems) has
been referred to. According to the standard, different criteria
have been defined according to equipment i.e. Pumps,
Vessels, Heaters and Compressors.
Working was done to identify the need for installation of
valves on the basis of Vessels and Pumps criteria.
 Criteria defined by API-553
Pumps:
An EBV is typically required for pumps having seals where the upstream
vessel contains greater than 7.6 m3 (2000 gallons) of light ends or
hydrocarbons above the auto ignition point or above 316 C (600 F).
An EBV is needed where the upstream vessel contains greater than 15
m3 (4000 gallons) of liquid hydrocarbons.
Pumps with high discharge pressures shall have an EBV at its discharge
(i.e. downstream of pump spillback) for reverse flow overpressure
protection.
Vessels:
An EBV is needed for vessels containing light ends or toxic material. The
flow from these vessels should be isolated from potential leak sources
such as pumps, compressors, and heat exchangers and fired equipment.
Any branch connection between the vessel and the EBV should have its
own EBV.
An EBV is needed for vessels containing liquids heavier than light ends,
but above the flash point.
 TYPES OF EBVs
Type A EBV: A manually operated fire-safe block valve installed at the equipment. This type of
valve is installed when, in the event of a leak, ignition is not expected.

Type B EBV: This fire-safe block valve should be installed at a minimum of 25 feet from the
leak source when ignition is expected. The Type B valve is manually operated and is limited to
sizes up to and including 8 inches, and pressure classes through 300#. For reasons of access, the
valve should be accessible from ground, or if ground access is not practical, then the valve
should be accessible via a platform installed no higher than 15 feet above grade.

Type C EBV: The Type C valve is a power-operated Type B valve. The valve must be power-
operated if larger than 8 inches or because a pressure class higher than 300# is required. The
valve should be installed a minimum of 25 feet (outside of the fire zone) from the leak source
and no higher than 15 feet above grade. The controls should be at the valve in an accessible
location.

Type D EBV: This is an EBV with remote controls. There is no restriction as to where the valve
may be located, but the controls should be a minimum of 40 feet from the leak source and
should be out of the fire zone. An EBV installed at an elevation greater than 15 feet above grade
will also come under this category. Both the actuator and that portion of the control cable and
tubing which is in the fire zone should be fireproofed or designed to operate without failure
during fire conditions. Specify that the conduit/tubing/cable supports are required to be
fireproofed.
Compliance at ARL
A total of 105 vessels were studied for compliance to both
criteria. Detailed sheet regarding holding volumes, Flash
points, Auto Ignition Temps, availability/requirement of valves
etc. of all vessels was developed and each vessel was
compared to the standards requirement.

Following slide shows a summary of number of equipment

identified on basis of both criteria, as well as number and
types of EBV required.
 STATS OF IDENTIFIED EQUIPMENT
Grand Summary
Existing Units New Units Total

Total number of vessels studied 67 38 105

Vessels not falling under any EBV requirement criteria 9 13 22

Requirement on the basis of API-553, Pumps Criteria 18 7 25

Requirement on the basis of API-553, Vessels Criteria 58 30 88

Overall requirement on the basis of API-553 58 25 83

Vessels where requirement is fulfilled by existing valves 49 21 70

Vessels that require new installation (Pumps Criteria) 4 2 6

Number of Type-A EBVs Required 0 0 0

Number of Type-D EBVs Required 4 2 6

Total Valves Required (Pumps Criteria only) 6

Vessels that require new installation (Vessels Criteria) 9 4 13

Number of Type-A EBVs Required 4 3 7

Number of Type-D EBVs Required 6* 2** 8

Total Valves Required (Vessels + Pumps Criteria) 15

*(SR-V-003 require two EBVs, one Type-A and one Type-B)

**(ISM-V-007 require two EBVs, both Type-A)
Conclusion
According to API-553 recommended practice, for both existing
and new units: Out of 105 vessels, 6 EBVs are to be installed
on 6 vessels (on the basis of Pumps criteria); while 15 EBVs are
to be installed on 13 vessels (based on the vessels criteria).
Way Forward
For Detailed Engineering, job may be outsourced for
verification and further working.
For installation, criteria (pumps or vessels) need to be frozen.
Further identification on the basis of Heaters and Compressors
needs to be decided.

The total work may be phased out based on new and existing
units / any other agreed criteria.