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Workshop
This model illustrates the application of the pressure relief unit operation on a
column.

Under normal operating conditions the overhead from the DePropanizer column is
condensed in an Air Cooler, collected in an Accumulator and pumped back to the
column (full reflux). The normal operating pressure on the Column Top tray and the
Accumulator are 2000 kPa (290 psia) and 1900 kPa (275 psia) respectively.

A Pressure Relief Valve for the Column will be added and configured to start
opening when the Top stage pressure reaches 2205 kPa (320 psia) and fully open at
2275 kPa (330 psia).

Learning Objectives
After completing this section, you will be able to install a relief valve.

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Partial Process Overview

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Building the Simulation

The Relief Valve operation is used in many situations in which there has been excess
pressure build up. Although it is available in Steady State mode, its purpose is to
avert situations that occur in a dynamic environment.

This module continues with the case that was constructed in the previous module.

Adding the Relief Valve

In this example, install a Relief Valve off the DePropanizer Column Overhead.
Relief Valve Icon
1. Open the case from Module 5, Ovhd controlled.hsc.

2. Recall for Feed Pump, we like to use curves as specification. In the pump view,
write down the inlet actual flow rate and the head seen on dynamic spec page
(click the Calculate Head button to refresh it).

Actual Flow Rate:

Head:

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3. Go to Rating/Curves page, click generate curves button, fill in the flow rate and
head numbers and click Generate curves button.

4. Go back to dynamic/spec page, change spec to be using characteristic curve and

assign speed as the first curve’s speed (should be 3500).

5. Add a Relief Valve and enter the following information:

Connections

Name RV-100 (default)

Inlet Bypass to Valve
Outlet To Flare
Parameters

Set Pressure 2205 kPa (320 psia)

Full Open Pressure 2275 kPa (330 psia)

6. On the Dynamics tab, Specs page of stream ToFlare, activate the Pressure
Specification. The pressure of this stream should be atmospheric.

7. Remove the flow spec from stream “Bypass to valve”.

Make sure that your
Pressure Flow
8. The Relief Valve requires a value for the Orifice Area to initialize. Go to the
Specifications are correct. Sizing page of the Relief Valve Ratings tab and enter 1300 mm2 (2 in2).

9. Check the Dynamic Assistant to ensure that all necessary information is

supplied.

10. Run integrator to stabilize.

11. Save the case as relief.hsc.

Save your case!

The easiest way to create an overpressure situation is to close the Propane Valve.
This will cause a build up of propane in the system and the pressure will rise.

1. On the FacePlate for the Accumulator-PC change the mode to Man and set the
OP to 0%. This immediately closes the valve.

2. Make sure that the Accumulator Pressure is shown on the active strip chart. You
will want to monitor this variable as the simulation progresses.

3. Watch the Accumulator Pressure rise sharply and the relief valve open. The
relief valve is shown as open on the PFD when a yellow outline appears around
it.

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Is the Relief Valve big enough to maintain the column pressure at the set relief pressure? Is
it able to prevent the pressure from rising above the full open pressure?

____________________________________________________________________________

4. Return the Accumulator-PC to Auto and set the SP to 2000 kPa (290 psia).

How long does it take for the system to run to its original operating condition?

____________________________________________________________________________

Save your case!

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Notes on the Relief Valve Operation

Once the Valve has lifted, examine the Dynamics – Specs tab of the Relief Valve.
On this page you will observe three parameters:
Delta Pressure drop across the valve

Valve Lift This value is calculated using one of the

two following formulas:
If inlet pressure is increasing:

P1 – PO PEN
L = --------------------------------------
-
PFULL – POPEN

where: P1 = upstream pressure

POPEN = Set Pressure
PFULL= Full Open Pressure
If inlet pressure is decreasing:

P1 – PRESEAT
L = -----------------------------------------
-
PCLOSE – PO PEN

where: P1 = upstream pressure

PRESEAT = Resetting Pressure
PCLOSE = Closing Pressure
Percentage Open The Valve Lift in percentage.

Hysterysis Parameters Group

When the Enable Valve Hysterysis check box is activated, the Hysterysis
Parameters group box becomes visible. This group contains two fields:
Closing Pressure Pressure at which the valve begins to close after
reaching the full lift pressure (i.e. the value entered
in the full pressure cell on the Parameters page of
the Design tab).
Reseating Pressure The pressure at which the valve reseats after
discharge.

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Flow Through the Relief Valve

The mass flowrate through the relief valve varies depending on the vapour fraction
and the pressure ratio across the valve. For two-phase flow, the flows are
proportional to the vapour fraction and can be calculated separately and then
combined for the total flow.

Vapour Flow in Valve

For gases and vapours, flow may be choked or non-choked. If the pressure ratio is
greater than the critical, the flow will NOT be Choked:

K
-------------
P
2 2 K –1 (1)
------  -------------
P K+1
1

where: P1 = Upstream Pressure

P2 = Downstream Pressure
K = Ratio of Specific Heats

For Choked vapour flow, the mass flowrate is given by the following relationship:

1
K + 1 -- -
------------- 2
P1 K 2 K–1
W = AKL KD K B ----------- ------------- (2)
V1 K + 1

where: W= Mass flow rate

A = Relief valve orifice area
KL = Capacity correction factor for valve lift
KD = Coefficient of Discharge
KB = Back Pressure Coefficient
V1 = Specific Volume of the upstream fluid

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For non-Choked vapour flow, the mass flowrate is given by:

1
 2
----
K+1
-------------  --
2
-
P  P2 K  P2 K 
W = AK LK D  ------  -------------  ------ –  ------ 
1 2K (3)
V K – 1  P1  P1 
 1 
 

Liquid Flow in Valve

Liquid Flow through the valve is calculated using the following equation:

1
---
2
W = AK K K  2  P – P   (4)
L D V 1 2 1

Density of upstream fluid

KV = Viscosity correction factor

Capacity Correction Factor (KL)

The Capacity Correction Factor for backpressure is typically linear with increasing
backpressure. The correct value of the factor should be user-supplied. It may be
obtained from the valve manufacturer. The capacity correction factor for valve lift
compensates for the conditions when the relief valve is not completely open.
Increasing-sensitivity valves have the following flow characteristics:

2
L
K = ------------------------------------------------
L 4 12 (5)
 a +  1 – a L 

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Linear and decreasing-sensitivity valves have the following flow characteristics:

2
L
K = ------------------------------------------------ (6)
L 2 12
 a +  1 – a L 

where:

valve head differential a maximum flow (7)

a = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
valve head differential at zero flow

The valve head differential term allows for customizing of the flow characteristics
with respect to stem travel. Its value can range between 0 and 1.

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