Date :12/31/2024 Prepared by : ATS
01 Tag : - Checked by : Quixn
Client : Rev no :
Title : "Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) Sizing"
Case Study:
A gas storage tank is operating under normal conditions containing hydrocarbon
gas with a composition of 50 mol% n-butane and 50 mol% propane. The tank
operates at a pressure of 10 bar and a temperature of 50°C, with a flow rate of
1500 kg/h. The tank is designed to withstand a pressure of 15 bar. At the tank
inlet, there is a control valve with a 70% valve opening, while the gas outlet
is equipped with pressure control, and the liquid outlet is equipped with a
valve for draining. Determine the size of the PSV in this case with a
backpressure of 9 Bar.
1. Operation Data
Operating Pressure(Pn) : 10 Bar 1000 Kpa
Design Pressure(Pd) : 15 Bar 1500 Kpa
o
Operating Temperature(T) : 50 C 323.15 K
Flowrate(w) : 1500 Kg/h
Gas Composition : 50% n-butane
50% propane
Backpressure(Pb) : 9 Bar 900 Kpa
2. Gas Properties
Mr n-butane : 58
Mr propane : 44
Mr Mix : 51
K (Cp/Cv) n-butane : 1.09 Source :Table 10 API 520
K (Cp/Cv) propane : 1.13 Source :Table 10 API 520
K (Cp/Cv) : 1.11
3. Sizing Variable
Max overpressure (Pop) : 100%
The set pressure on the PSV is equal
to the vessel design pressure
Cases of overpressure due to failure of pressure control and venting valve
(Blocked Discharge)
Calculation
Check critical flow conditions
𝑃 2
=
𝑃1 𝐾+1
Relieving Pressure (P1) = Pd x Pop
= 1500 Kpa
Pct = 0.58 x P1
= 870 Kpa
Pb = 900 Kpa
Date :12/31/2024 Prepared by : ATS
01 Tag : - Checked by : Quixn
Client : Rev no :
Title : "Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) Sizing"
Selection of Critial Flow Conditions
If (P b <P ct ) then the flow conditions is "critical gas flow"
𝑤 𝑇𝑍 2 ( )
𝐴= 𝐶 = 0.03948 𝐾
𝐶𝐾𝑑𝑃1𝐾𝑏𝐾𝑐 𝑀 𝐾+1
If (P b ≥P ct ) then the flow conditions is "subcritical gas flow"
17.9𝑥𝑤 𝑇𝑍 𝐾 1−𝑟
𝐴= F2 = 𝑟
𝐹2𝐾𝑑𝐾𝑐 𝑀𝑥𝑃1(𝑃1 − 𝑃𝑏) 𝐾−1 1−𝑟
Because (P b ≥P ct ) then the flow condition chosen is "subcritical gas flow"
C is a function of the ratio of the ideal gas specific heats (K=Cp/Cv) of the
gas or vapor at inlet relieving temperature
F2 is the coefficient of subcritical flow
r is the ration of backpressure to relieving pressure (P b/P1)
Kb is the capacity correction factor due to backpressure; this can be obtained
from the manufacturer's literature or estimated for preliminary sizing from
figure 31 API 520.The backpressure correction factor applies to balanced
bellows valve only. For conventional and pilot operated valves, use a value
for Kb equal to 1
Kc is the combination correction for PSV with rupture disk upstream of the PRV
(1, when a rupture disk is not installed; 0.9 when a rupture disk is installed
in combination with PRV)
Kd is the coefficient of discharge; for preliminary sizing use 0.975, when a
PRV is installed with or without a rupture disk in combination
Z is the compressibility factor for the deviation of the actual gas from a
perfect gas, evaluated at relieving inlet conditions
M is the molecular weight
Date :12/31/2024 Prepared by : ATS
01 Tag : - Checked by : Quixn
Client : Rev no :
Title : "Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) Sizing"
r : 0.60
Kc : 1 Rupture disk is not installed
Kd : 0.975 Rupture disk is not installed
Z : 0.8221 From Aspen Hysys
𝐾 1−𝑟
F2 = 𝑟
𝐾−1 1−𝑟
F2 = 0.1562
17.9𝑥𝑤 𝑇𝑍
𝐴=
𝐹2𝐾𝑑𝐾𝑐 𝑀𝑥𝑃1(𝑃1 − 𝑃𝑏)
2
A = 424.15 mm
Rounded to standard orifice in API 526
2
Selected Orifice "H" 506.45 mm
Rated Relief 1791.05 Kg/h
