Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Introduction
Introduced in Aspen HYSYS V8.3, the Safety Analysis Environment provides a tool for adding pressure relief devices
and calculating relief loads inside Aspen HYSYS. Leveraging this tool within the rigorous Aspen HYSYS simulator, and in
combination with Aspen Flare System Analyzer, provides an integrated solution for pressure relief analysis (PRA) work.
This white paper contains hand calculations for two-phase orifice sizing and vapor noise and reaction forces inside the
Safety Analysis Environment, helping you to validate the calculations of this tool within Aspen HYSYS.
Eq. 1
= 9
!
!
1 = 9
1
!
!
In the equation above, is the Omega parameter, v0 and v9 are specific volumes at upstream and 90% conditions,
respectively, and 0 and 9 are density at upstream and 90% conditions, respectively.
Eq. 2
Eq. 3
! =
!
1 + 1.0446 0.0093431 !!.!"#"$
!
!!.!"#$%!!.!"#$%& !" !
! = ! !
In the equation above, c is the critical pressure ratio, Pc is the pressure corresponding to critical flow
at the nozzle throat in the relief valve in absolute units, Pa is the total back pressure at the outlet of
the valve in absolute units, and P0 is the upstream relief pressure in absolute units.
If c exceeds a, then the flow through the relief valve is critical, and the following equation should be
used to calculate the maximum mass flux, where G is the maximum mass flux through the valve in
lb/s-ft or kg/s-m, P0 is in psia or Pa, v0 is in ft/lb or m/kg, and 0 is in lb/ft or kg/m. C1 = 68.09
in U.S. customary units, or 1.0 in SI units.
Eq. 4
= ! !
!
! !
= !
!
If c does not exceed a, then the flow through the relief valve is subcritical, and the following
equation should be used to calculate the maximum mass flux, where units are as in (Eq. 4).
Eq. 5
= !
! !
1 +1
!
2 ln ! + 1
1 !
Once the maximum mass flux has been obtained, the required effective discharge area may be
calculated by using Equation 6, where A is the required effective discharge area in mm, w is the
required relief load in kg/h, Kd is the discharge coefficient of the valve, Kb is the backpressure
correction factor (applicable to balanced bellows valves only), Kc is the combination capacity factor,
and Kv is the viscosity correction factor. C2 = 0.04 for U.S. customary units, 277.8 for SI units.
Eq. 6
!
! ! ! !
When an orifice area has been selected, Equation 6 may be rearranged to find the rated capacity of
the valve, shown in Equation 7:
Eq. 7
!"# = ! ! ! ! 277.8
Relief conditions
63,000 kg/h
Based on the relief pressure of 8.03 barg, the 90% intermediate flash pressure is at 7.227 barg.
Setting up a stream in Aspen HYSYS at the relief conditions and running it through an isenthalpic
flash will yield the following properties:
0 = 112.0 kg/m
9 = 90.73 kg/m
112.0
1 = 2.110
90.73
= 9
The critical pressure ratio and backpressure ratio may be calculated using (Eq. 2) and (Eq. 3):
! =
! = 0.6989
1.01325
= 0.1120
8.03 + 1.01325
= 0.6989
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0, aside from the discharge coefficient which is 0.85 in
accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
277.8 63,000
= 4,250 mm
0.85 4,844
For a selected Q orifice with an effective area of 7129 mm, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
!"# =
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 1.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
kg/h
63,000
63,000
barg
8.03
8.03
7.227
barg
kg/m
112.0
112.0
kg/m
90.73
88.34
Omega Parameter ()
2.110
0.6989
Flow Type
Critical
kg/s-m
mm
kg/h
Blue = Calculation input
Critical
4,844
4,250
4,448
105,700
101,000
Table 1: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for critical two-phase flow
Composition
Relief conditions
154 kPag / 85 C
20,000 kg/h
Back pressure
60 kPa superimposed
Based on the relief pressure of 1.54 barg, the 90% intermediate flash pressure is at 1.28 barg. Setting
up a stream in Aspen HYSYS at the relief conditions and running it through an isenthalpic flash will
yield the following properties:
0 = 8.264 kg/m
9 = 7.335 kg/m
8.264
1 = 1.140
7.335
= 9
The critical pressure ratio and backpressure ratio may be calculated using (Eq. 2) and (Eq. 3):
! =
! = 0.6234
1.01325 + 0.6
= 0.6318
1.54 + 1.01325
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0, aside from the discharge coefficient which is 0.85 in
accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
277.8 20,000
= 7,870 mm
0.85 830
For a selected R orifice with an effective area of 10322.5 mm, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
!"# =
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 2.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
kg/h
20,000
20,000
barg
1.54
1.54
kg/m3
1.28
barg
kg/m
Omega Parameter ()
8.264
8.264
7.335
7.337
1.140
0.6234
Flow Type
Subcritical
kg/s-m
mm
kg/h
Blue = Calculation input
Subcritical
830
7,870
7,710
26,230
26,780
Table 2: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for subcritical two-phase flow
Eq. 8
! = 9
"
1
!
High or low subcooling is determined via the transition saturation pressure ratio, which is
calculated below in Equation 9 and 10, where st is the transition saturation pressure ratio, s is
the saturation pressure ratio, Ps is the saturation pressure in absolute units, and P0 is the upstream
pressure in absolute units.
Eq. 9
Eq. 10
!" =
! =
2!
1 + 2!
!
!
If st exceeds s, then relief is considered to lie in the high subcooling region, and flow will
necessarily be critical unless the total back pressure exceeds the saturation pressure (but in this
case, the fluid is liquid across the valve, and the API liquid sizing will be sufficient to calculate the
orifice size). Otherwise, relief is considered to lie in the low subcooling region, and a check must be
made to determine if the flow across the PRV is critical or subcritical. The critical pressure ratio may
be estimated as shown below in Equation 11.
Eq. 11
! !
2!
2! 1
1 2! 1
!
2!
The back pressure ratio a is calculated using (Eq. 3) as with the non-subcooled method.
For low subcooling, the maximum mass flux is calculated using Equation 12 below.
Eq. 12
= !
!
! "
2 1 ! + 2 ! ! ln ! 1 !
!
1 +1
For critical flow, =c; for subcritical flow, =a. Pressure is in psia or Paa. C1 = 68.09 for U.S.
customary units, 1.0 for SI units.
For high subcooling, the maximum mass flux is calculated using Equation 13 below.
Eq. 13
= ! 2 " ! !
Given a required relief load in lb/h or kg/h, the required area and rated capacity may be calculated
using (Eq. 6) and (Eq. 7).
Composition
Relief conditions
92,590 lb/h
Setting up a stream in Aspen HYSYS at the relief conditions and flashing appropriately, yields the
following properties:
0 = 29.23 lb/ft
Ps = 241.4 psia
P9 = 217.3 psia
9 = 17.53 lb/ft
! = 9
29.23
1 = 6.011
17.53
!" =
2 6.011
= 0.923
1 + 2 6.011
The saturation pressure ratio is 0.956. Because this is greater than the transition ratio, this case
involves low subcooling, and the critical pressure ratio is calculated using (Eq. 11):
! 0.923
2 6.011
2 6.011 1
1
2 6.011 1
0.923
2 6.011
= 0.8633
The back pressure ratio of 0.0573 is much lower than the critical pressure ratio, so the flow is critical.
The maximum mass flux is calculated using (Eq. 12) with =c. The result shows that G = 2,150
lb/s-ft.
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0, aside from the discharge coefficient which is 0.65 in
accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
0.04 92,590
= 2.651 in
0.65 2,150
For a selected L orifice with an effective area of 2.853 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
!"# =
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 3.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
lb/h
92,590
92,590
psig
242
242.0
226.7 psig
241.4 psia
psig
202.6
lb/ft3
29.23
lb/ft
17.53
Omega Parameter ()
6.011
0.923
0.8633
Flow Type
17.51
lb/h
Blue = Calculation input
Critical
2,150
2.651
2.663
99,640
99,180
Table 3: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for low subcooled critical flow
Relief conditions
44 psig, 87.5 F
92,590 lb/h
Back pressure
40 psi superimposed
Setting up a stream in Aspen HYSYS at the relief conditions and flashing appropriately yields the
following properties:
0 = 35.17 lb/ft
Ps = 57.13 psia
P9 = 51.4 psia
9 = 13.72 lb/ft
! = 9
35.17
1 = 14.07
13.72
!! =
2 14.07
= 0.9657
1 + 2 14.07
The saturation pressure ratio is 0.9733. Because this is greater than the transition ratio, this case
involves low subcooling. The critical pressure ratio is calculated using (Eq. 11):
! 0.9733
2 14.07
2 14.07 1
1
2 14.07 1
0.9733
2 14.07
= 0.9130
The back pressure ratio of 0.9319 is higher than the critical pressure ratio, so the flow is subcritical.
The maximum mass flux is calculated using (Eq. 12) with =a=0.9319. The result is that G = 765.4
lb/s-ft.
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0, aside from the discharge coefficient which is 0.65 in
accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
11
0.04 92,590
= 7.444 in
0.65 765.4
For a selected Q orifice with an effective area of 11.05 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
!"# =
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 4.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
lb/h
92,590
92,590
psig
44
44.00
42.43 psig
57.13 psia
psig
36.7
lb/ft3
35.17
lb/ft3
13.72
14.07
0.9657
0.9130
Flow Type
13.75
lb/h
Blue = Calculation input
Critical
765.4
7.444
7.450
137,400
137,300
Table 4: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for low subcooled, subcritical
flow
Composition
Relief conditions
92,590 lb/h
Setting up a stream in Aspen HYSYS at the relief conditions and flashing appropriately, yields the
following properties:
0 = 30.34 lb/ft
Ps = 203.1 psia
P9 = 182.8 psia
9 = 17.40 lb/ft
! = 9
30.34
1 = 6.693
17.4
!" =
2 6.693
= 0.9305
1 + 2 6.693
The saturation pressure ratio is 0.7912. Because this is less than the transition ratio, this case
involves high subcooling. The critical pressure ratio is equal to the saturation pressure ratio. The
maximum mass flux is calculated using (Eq. 13):
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0, aside from the discharge coefficient which is 0.65 in
accordance with guidance from API, the required area is calculated using (Eq. 6):
0.04 92,590
= 1.467 in
0.65 3,883
For a selected K orifice with an effective area of 1.838 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
!"# =
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 5.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
lb/h
92,590
92,590
psig
242
242.0
188.4 psig
203.1 psia
psig
168.1
lb/ft3
30.34
lb/ft3
17.40
6.693
0.9305
Flow Type
17.38
lb/h
Blue = Calculation input
Critical
3,883
1.467
1.473
116,000
115,600
Table 5: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for high subcooled, critical flow
Equations
The nozzle equation is shown below, where G is the mass flux in lb/ft-s or kg/m-s, v is the specific
volume in ft/lb or m/kg, and dp is the differential pressure increment in lbf/ft or Pa.
Eq. 14
! =
2!
!
This is approximated as shown below, where v is the average specific volume over the pressure
increment p.
Eq. 15
2!
!
The sum is performed from the relief pressure until either a maximum value of G is reached or the
back pressure Pa is reached. If the maximum in G occurs above Pa, then the flow is choked.
Example
The example is based on the following conditions:
Composition
Relief conditions
138,900 lb/h
A property table may be used to obtain the mass density along an isentropic path for numerical
integration, as shown below.
Pressure
psia
Mass Density
lb/ft3
Specific Volume
ft3/lb
gcv P
ft/s
Mass Flux
lb/ft2-s
190.7
23.21
0.0431
0.0
0.0
180.7
22.48
0.0445
2028
1432
170.7
21.71
0.0461
2098
1972
160.7
20.90
0.0478
2175
2347
150.7
20.06
0.0499
2263
2625
140.7
19.18
0.0521
2363
2835
130.7
18.25
0.0548
2477
2988
120.7
17.28
0.0579
2610
3092
110.7
16.25
0.0615
2766
3150
100.7
15.17
0.0659
2952
3164
90.7
14.04
0.0712
3177
3133
Note that the mass flux reaches a maximum at a pressure of 100.7 psia, indicating that flow is
choked and the relief mass flux is 3164 lb/ft-s.
Assuming that all capacity coefficients are 1.0, aside from the discharge coefficient which is 0.85
in accordance with guidance from API for two-phase flow at relief conditions, the required area is
calculated using (Eq. 6):
0.04 138,900
= 2.066 in
0.85 3,164
For a selected L orifice with an effective area of 2.853 in, the rated capacity is calculated using
(Eq. 7):
!"# =
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 6.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
lb/h
138,900
138,900
psig
176
176.0
122
122.0
3,164
3,114
lb/h
lb/s-ft
in
2.066
2.099
191,800
188,800
Table 6: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for direct integration
Noise
Equations
The equations for computing noise level for atmospheric relief valves are given in section 5.8.10.3
of API Standard 521.2 The noise level at 30 m from the point of discharge is calculated using the
following equation below, where w is the mass flow through the valve in kg/h, c is the speed of
sound in the gas at the valve in m/s, and L is the sound level in decibels.
Eq. 16
!" = + 10 log!"
1
!
7200
The speed of sound may be computed as shown below, where k is the ideal specific heat ratio in the
gas, T is the temperature
in K, and M is the molecular weight of the gas.
Eq. 17
= 91.2
The value of L in (Eq. 16) is read from a figure in the text. It may be approximated using two semilog
curve fits shown below, where X is the pressure ratio across the pressure relief valve.
Eq. 18
Example
The example is based on the following conditions:
Composition
Relief conditions
52,560 kg/h
Setting up a stream in Aspen HYSYS at the relief conditions will yield the following properties:
M = 28.95
k = 1.404
= 91.2
1.404 311
= 354.2 m/s
28.95
Based on a pressure ratio of 330101.325=3.26, the contribution due to pressure ratio may be
estimated by (Eq.
18) to be 54.5 dB. Then, the total noise level is calculated using (Eq. 16):
1
52,560 354.2
7200
= 114.1 dB
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 7.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
kg/h
52,560
52,560
330 kPaa
2.287 barg
311 K
37.85 C
114.1
114.1
dB
Blue = Calculation input
Table 7: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for noise
Figure 8: Reaction force example
calculated in Aspen HYSYS
Reaction Forces
Equations
The equations for computing reaction forces on the outlet piping of atmospheric relief valves are
given in section 4.4.1 of API Recommended Practice 520 Part II.3 The reaction force due to vapor
discharge is calculated using the following equation below, where F is the reaction force in N, w is the
required relief load in kg/h, k is the ideal specific heat ratio of the gas, T is the discharge temperature
in K, M is the molecular weight of the gas, A is the area of the pipe at the point of discharge in mm,
and p3 is the static pressure at the outlet in barg (that is, 0 for flow that is unchoked at the outlet, or
the choke pressure for flow that is choked at the outlet).
Eq. 19
27.9
+ 0.1 !
+ 1
Example
The example is based on the following conditions:
Composition
Relief conditions
36,970 kg/h
The reaction force may be calculated using (Eq. 19), as shown below. Because the choke pressure is
less than atmospheric pressure, the second term may be neglected.
1
37,150
27.9
The results calculated above are compared to results obtained in Aspen HYSYS in Table 8.
Variable
Units
Example Calculation
Aspen HYSYS
kg/h
37,150
37,150
92.15
92.15
2,498
2,497
Table 8: Comparison of example calculation and Aspen HYSYS calculation for reaction force
Conclusion
Safety is of the highest priority to every process, and ensuring accurate, validated calculations is a
key component of this work. To view additional validation papers, access tutorial documents and
videos, and learn more information about the tools AspenTech provides to address process safety
work, please visit the safety page on our company website, today!
References
1.
American Petroleum Institute, API Standard 520 Part I 9th Ed.: Sizing, Selection, and Installation
of Pressure-relieving Devices, Washington, DC: API Publishing Services, 2014.
2. American Petroleum Institute, API Standard 521 6th Ed.: Pressure-relieving and Depressuring
Systems, Washington, DC: API Publishing Services, 2014.
3. American Petroleum Institute, API Recommended Practice 520 Part II 5th Ed., Reaffirmed,
Washington: API Publishing Services, 2011.
AspenTech is a leading supplier of software that optimizes process manufacturingfor energy, chemicals, engineering and
construction, and other industries that manufacture and produce products from a chemical process. With integrated aspenONE
solutions, process manufacturers can implement best practices for optimizing their engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain
operations. As a result, AspenTech customers are better able to increase capacity, improve margins, reduce costs, and become
more energy efficient. To see how the worlds leading process manufacturers rely on AspenTech to achieve their operational
excellence goals, visit www.aspentech.com.
Worldwide Headquarters
Aspen Technology, Inc.
20 Crosby Drive | Bedford, MA 01730 | United States
phone: +1-781-221-6400 | fax: +1-781-221-6410 | info@aspentech.com
Regional Headquarters
Houston, TX | United States
phone: +1-281-584-1000
So Paulo | Brazil
phone: +55-11-3443-6261
Reading | United Kingdom
phone: +44-(0)-1189-226400
Singapore | Republic of Singapore
phone: +65-6395-3900
Manama | Bahrain
phone: +973-13606-400
For a complete list of offices, please visit www.aspentech.com/locations