EXPANSION

Design Background : This spreadsheet focuses on Design Calculation of Inbreathing Flowrates for an Expansion Tank an
considered and the Tank Air Inbreathing Flowrates are calculated. Upon considering these values, a valve is selected and su
Cv required is compared against it. The ratio of the two gives the valve opening required.

Process and Physical Parameters

Parameter Units

Service (Tank)

Fluid (Stored in Tank)s

Service (PCV)

Fluid (Through PCV)

Volume of Tank (Vtk) m3

Operating Pressure of Tank psia
psig
kpaa
bara
kg/cm2a
kg/cm2g
Operating Temperature of Tank oF
oC
Molecular Weight of Gas (For Air, 28.949 g/mol) g/mol
Compressibility Factor of Gas (If ideal enter 1)
Standard Density of Gas (For Air, around 1.22 Kg/m3) Kg/m3
Instrument Air Inlet Pressure psig
psia
kpaa
bara
Site Minimum Ambient Temperature oF
oC
Site Maximum Ambient Temperature oF
oC

Inlet Inert Gas Flowing Conditions

oF
oC

Density of Tank Inlet Inert Cushion Gas at Flowing Conditions

Kg/m3
lb/ft3
Specific Gravity of Gas (Molecular Weight Ratio Based)

Insulation Parameters

Inside Heat Transfer Coefficient (Typically 4 W/m2.K for Tanks) (h)

W/m2.K

Wall Thickness of Insulation (Enter 0 if No Insulation) (Lin)

m

Thermal Conductivity of Insulation (Enter 1 if No Insulation) ( lin)

W/m.K
Area of Tank Total (Shell and Roof Inclusive) (Atts) m2
Area of Tank Insulated (Ainp) m2
Fully Insulated Tank Reduction Factor (Rin)
Actual Insulation Reduction Factor (Rinp or Ri)

Inbreathing Requirements due to Flow

Maximum Rate of Tank Liquid Outflow (Discharging) (Vpe) m3/hr

USGPM
Inbreathing Inert Gas Inflow (Normal Flow Venting Requirement)
(Vip) Nm3/hr

Thermal Inbreathing Requirements

Average Storage Temperature oC

oF
Range of Storage Temperature
Vapor Pressure of Fluid Stored in Tank kPa
mmHg
Vapor Pressure of Hexane kPa
mmHg
Is Vapor Pressure of Fluid considerably Higher than Hexane ?

Latitude of Installation Site

Range of Latitude
C-Factor (As Per API 2000, 7th Edition)
Y-Factor (As Per API 2000, 7th Edition)

Inbreathing Inert Gas Inflow (Thermal Venting Requirement) (Vit)

Nm3/hr

Normal Temp K
Normal Pressure kpaa
Std. Temp K
Std. Pressure kpaa
Actual Temp. K
Actual Pressure kpaa

Total Inbreathing (Gas Flow Rate) Nm3/hr

Sm3/hr
m3/hr
Kg/hr

Tank Inlet PCV Process Parameters

Inlet Fluid (Inert Gas) Mass Flow Rate Kg/hr

lb/hr
Design Flow Margin (Typically 1.3)
Design Mass Flow Rate (w) kg/hr
lb/hr
Gas Specific Heat Ratio Cp/Cv (1.4 for Air) (k or g)
Ratio of Specific Heats Factor (Fk)

Gas Specific Weight (Mass Density) at Upstream Conditions ( g1) Kg/m3

lb/ft3

Parameters of Selected Valve

Selected Valve End Inside Diameter (d) in

mm
Upstream Piping Diameter (D1) in
mm
Upstream Pressure Loss Coefficient (Inlet Reducer) (K1)
Upstream Pressure Change (Bernoulli) Coefficient (Inlet Reducer)
(KB1)
Downstream Piping Diameter (D2) in
mm
Downstream Pressure Loss Coefficient (Outlet Reducer) (K2)
Downstream Pressure Change (Bernoulli) Coefficient (Outlet
Reducer) (KB2)

Inlet Fitting Head Loss Coefficient (Ki)

Overall Pressure Loss Coefficient (SK = K1+K2+KB1-KB2)

Inlet PCV Sizing

NOTE : Sizing has been done based on English Units (Psi, Lb/ft3, inch etc.) since Cv is based on those units. The final Output
is the same since the required answers are in Ratios or percentages. Wherever required the conversions have been made for application

Valve Manufacturer

Valve Model Selected

Selected Valve Rated Maximum (Flow Coefficient) CV1

Selected Valve Rated Pressure Drop Ratio Factor
(From Manufacturer or the Table) (Xt)

Piping Geometry Factor (Fp)

Modified Valve Pressure Drop Ratio Factor (Xtp)

Selected Valve Critical Flow Condition Pressure Drop Ratio Factor
(Xm)
Unit Conversion Constant (N6)

Upstream Gas Pressure (P1) kpa

psi
bar
Downstream Gas Pressure (P2) kpa

psi
bar
Pressure Drop across Valve or Valve Pressure Differential (P1-P2 or
kpa
DP)
psi
bar

Pressure Drop Ratio Factor (X)

Critical or Sub-Critical Flow ? (Choked or Not Choked)

To help determine Effective Pressure Drop Ratio

Effective Pressure Drop Ratio (X Eff)

Gas Expansion Factor (Y)

Calculated Capacity Factor Required (CV2)
Rated Capacity Factor of Valve (CV1)
Valve Opening Required (CV2/CV1) %

Is Valve Selected Suitable ?

Criticality By %

General Guideline Checks

1. Is Valve Opening Above 10% ? YES

1. Is Valve Opening Below 80% ? YES

2. Is Valve End Size Smaller than or Equal to Line Size ? YES

3. Is Design Flow Margin atleast 1.3 ? YES

Conclusions :
a. The Inbreathing Requirements are calculated as per the new API Method as stated in API 2000, 7th Edition, 3.3.2.
There is an alternative method for snall sized tanks that satisfy specific criteria given in Annex A of the API std. The newer
b. In general, Valves can also be allowed to operate under Choked Flow Conditions. If valves operate at higher pressure dro
rated valve critical pressure drop ratio. In non choked (Non-critical) flows, the pressure drop is determined by the general pr
c. For Valve Openings which are too low, verify the acceptability and whether the valve opens or not for that flowrate and p
Generally never select a valve greater than the line size.

NOTES
1. General Rule of Thumb = For liquids Velocity should be limited to 50 ft/s or 15 m/s
2. Limit Valve Opening to between 10-80 %
 EXPANSION TANK - INLET CONTROL VALVE SIZING (GAS)

breathing Flowrates for an Expansion Tank and the Sizing of the Inlet PCV based mainly on the Revised API 2000 Method (7th Edition
dering these values, a valve is selected and suitability is checked. This flowsheet is only valid for Gas Cushioned Expansion Tanks. Upo
ng required.

Value Value

Melting tank Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation Storage

Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %)

Rosin ester Solution

N2 Gas Inlet for PCV Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV

N2 Air

6.00 1.50
14.60 11.70
-0.10 -3.00
100.66 80.67
1.01 0.81
1.01 0.81
-0.02 -0.22
320.00 44.00
160.00 6.67
28.949 28.949
1.000 1.000
1.222 1.222
99.40 110.00
114.10 124.70
786.48 859.54
7.86 8.60
50.00 0.00
10.00 -17.78
 92.00 92.00
33.33 33.33

68.00 59.00
20.00 15.00

9.346 10.391
0.583 0.648
1.000 1.000

4.00 4.00

0.00 0.00

1.00 1.00

1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00

0.773 0.000
3.405 0.000

0.773 0.000

160.00 6.67
320.00 44.00
Above and Equal 25 oC Below 25 oC
4.200 0.000
31.503 0.000
0.050 0.050
0.375 0.375
 YES NO

40.58 40.58
Below 42 Below 42
6.500 4.000
0.320 0.320

22.783 5.313

273.15 273.15
101.325 101.325
288.75 288.75
101.325 101.325
288.15 288.15
786.475 859.539

23.557 5.313
24.902 5.616
3.202 0.661
29.921 6.865

29.921 6.865
65.906 15.122
1.30 1.30
38.898 8.925
85.678 19.658
1.40 1.40

1.00 1.00

9.346 10.391

0.583 0.649

1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
 1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

Done By Supplier

Cv is based on those units. The final Output

ed the conversions have been made for application of relevant formulae. Most formulae and constants are based on english units hence the spreadsh

Carraro Carraro
UBAN UB Regulator Series UBAN UB Regulator Series
1", Nozzle 1 1", Nozzle 1
0.031 0.031

0.700 0.700

1.000 1.000

0.700 0.700

0.700 0.700

63.30 63.30

786.48 859.54
114.04 124.63
7.86 8.60
 28.40 207.00

4.12 30.02
0.28 2.07

758.08 652.54

109.92 94.62
7.58 6.53

0.964 0.759

Choked or Critical Flow Choked or Critical Flow Unchoked or Sub-Critica

0.700 0.700

0.667 0.667
0.00941 0.00196
0.03100 0.03100
30.35 6.32

Suitable Suitable

37.69850 8.45333

Good NO Verify Acceptability NO

Good YES Good YES

Good YES Good YES

Good YES Good YES

s stated in API 2000, 7th Edition, 3.3.2.
a given in Annex A of the API std. The newer method is general in nature and more conservative than the Old method with the introduc
ditions. If valves operate at higher pressure drop ratios than critical flow conditions, then the effective pressure drop ratio becomes the c
e pressure drop is determined by the general pressure drop (Upstream-downstream) across the valve.
r the valve opens or not for that flowrate and pressure.
ALVE SIZING (GAS)

evised API 2000 Method (7th Edition) general Case and Masoneilan Control Valve Sizing. The Inlet Gas and Outlet flowrates are
Gas Cushioned Expansion Tanks. Upon calculating the Breathing requirements, a Valve with a given Cv is selected and the calculated

Value Value

Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation Pump Glycol-Water Recirculation Storage

Storage

Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %) Propylene Glycol-Water (50-50 %)

Solution Solution

Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV Cushion Gas Inlet for PCV

Air Air

1.50 1.50
11.70 11.70
-3.00 -3.00
80.67 80.67
0.81 0.81
0.81 0.81
-0.22 -0.22
44.00 44.00
6.67 6.67
28.949 28.949
1.000 1.000
1.222 1.222
80.00 110.00
94.70 124.70
652.75 859.54
6.53 8.60
0.00 0.00
-17.78 -17.78
 92.00 92.00
33.33 33.33

59.00 59.00
15.00 15.00

7.891 10.391
0.492 0.648
1.000 1.000

4.00 4.00

0.00 0.00

1.00 1.00

1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00

0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

6.67 6.67
44.00 44.00
Below 25 oC Below 25 oC
0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000
0.050 0.050
0.375 0.375
 NO NO

40.58 40.58
Below 42 Below 42
4.000 4.000
0.320 0.320

5.313 5.313

273.15 273.15
101.325 101.325
288.75 288.75
101.325 101.325
288.15 288.15
652.754 859.539

5.313 5.313
5.616 5.616
0.870 0.661
6.865 6.865

6.865 6.865
15.122 15.122
1.30 1.30
8.925 8.925
19.658 19.658
1.40 1.40

1.00 1.00

7.891 10.391

0.493 0.649

1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
 1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

1.00 1.00
25.40 25.40
0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000

based on english units hence the spreadsheet has been formulated this way

Carraro Carraro
UBAN UB Regulator Series UBAN UB Regulator Series
1", Nozzle 1 1", Nozzle 1
0.031 0.031

0.700 0.700

1.000 1.000

0.700 0.700

0.700 0.700

63.30 63.30

652.75 859.54
94.65 124.63
6.53 8.60
 207.00 207.00

30.02 30.02
2.07 2.07

445.75 652.54

64.63 94.62
4.46 6.53

0.683 0.759

Unchoked or Sub-Critical Flow Choked or Critical Flow

0.683 0.700

0.675 0.667
0.00258 0.00196
0.03100 0.03100
8.32 6.32

Suitable Suitable

No Criticality 8.45333

Verify Acceptability NO Verify Acceptability

Good YES Good

Good YES Good

Good YES Good

than the Old method with the introduction of new parameters such as Latitude, C-Factor, Y-Factor etc.
tive pressure drop ratio becomes the critical pressure drop ratio since at Choked Flow, the highest pressure drop ratio possible is the
ve.
 Sizing. The Inlet Gas and Outlet flowrates are
Valve with a given Cv is selected and the calculated

Basis of Calculation

if N2 then 28.01.

at 15.6 oC
Instrument Air

From Site Data

 From Site Data

If Known Enter,Otherwise Enter

Ambient Temp

Calculated

Assuming No Insulation is conservative

since adding insulation reduces flow
reqmnt

Sec. 3.3.2.4, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.4, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.2, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Assumed same as Tank Op. Temp

 Above 1kPa considered high,
else, close to Hexane

Sec. 3.3.2.3, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.3, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

Sec. 3.3.2.3.3, API 2000 (7 Ed.)

NTP at 0oC, 1 atm

STP at 15.6 oC, 1 atm

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

From Selected Valve Model Below

 See Table attached or
Crane or Blackmonk reference

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

From Valve Manufacturer

From Valve Manufacturer or

the ISA Reference table, Sec. 8

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference
See Blackmonk Reference

See Blackmonk Reference

Masoneilan Reference (Table)

Inert Gas Line Inlet Pressure

 Tank Operating Pressure
/ Valve Set point decided by us
Valve Setpoint Decided by us

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

Masoneilan Control Valve Handbook and

ISA Reference

If Choked flow, max P Drop is Critical

Valve P Ratio,
else it is equal to Valve P Drop
All References
All References

See Blackmonk Reference

Depends on Guidelines below

Margin by which flow is Choked

See Carl Branan Reference

See Carl Branan Reference

See Carl Branan Reference

See Carl Branan Reference

actor, Y-Factor etc.
w, the highest pressure drop ratio possible is the
 VP<=HEXANE (Non Volatile)
Below 25 oC Above and Equal 25 oC
Below 42 4 6.5
Between 42 and 58 3 5
Above 58 2.5 4

VP>HEXANE (Volatile)
Below 25 oC Above and Equal 25 oC
Below 42 6.5 6.5
Between 42 and 58 5 5
Above 58 4 4

Normal Conditions 0 oC, 1 atm

Standard Conditions 15.6 oC, 1atm
Typical Xt Values (Rated Pressure Drop Ratio Factor)