GB2091808A - Pressure relief apparatus - Google Patents

Pressure relief apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2091808A
GB2091808A GB137449A GB8137449A GB2091808A GB 2091808 A GB2091808 A GB 2091808A GB 137449 A GB137449 A GB 137449A GB 8137449 A GB8137449 A GB 8137449A GB 2091808 A GB2091808 A GB 2091808A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
rupture
rupture disk
disk
pressure
bulges
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB137449A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BS&B Safety Systems Ltd
BS&B Safety Systems LLC
Original Assignee
BS&B Safety Systems Ltd
BS&B Safety Systems LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BS&B Safety Systems Ltd, BS&B Safety Systems LLC filed Critical BS&B Safety Systems Ltd
Publication of GB2091808A publication Critical patent/GB2091808A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16KVALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K17/00Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
    • F16K17/02Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side
    • F16K17/14Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side with fracturing member
    • F16K17/16Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side with fracturing member with fracturing diaphragm ; Rupture discs
    • F16K17/162Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side with fracturing member with fracturing diaphragm ; Rupture discs of the non reverse-buckling-type
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16KVALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K17/00Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
    • F16K17/40Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)

Abstract

A pressure relief apparatus is provided to retain pressurized fluid at a pressure below the design pressure but accompanied by a shock wave and includes a rupture disk 24 which bulges when a shock wave is exerted thereon and bulges and ruptures at a fluid pressure equal to or greater than the design pressure. The apparatus also includes a rupture member 26 positioned behind and adjacent the rupture disk 24, this rupture member rupturing when bulged by the rupture disk whereby when pressurized fluid is at a pressure below the predetermined pressure accompanied by a shock wave acts on the rupture disk, the rupture disk bulges and is constrained against rupture by the rupture member which bulges and ruptures thereby absorbing the energy of the shock wave. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pressure relief apparatus The present invention relates to rupturable pressure relief apparatus which may, for example, be installed downstream of a primary pressure relief device.
A great variety of safety pressure relief devices have been developed for preventing vessels and systems containing fluids under pressure from reaching dangerous overpressure conditions. Spring loaded and rupturable relief apparatus are most commonly used which respectively automatically open and rupture, when an overpressure condition is reached.
Pressure relief valves, after initial opening, often do not close completely due to solid materials lodging therein, corrosion of the valves and/or valve seats, etc, whereby the fluids leak through the valves into the atmosphere during normal pressure conditions. Furthermore, if a momentary surge in pressure is experienced in the vessel or system being protected, such valves open momentarily allowing fluids (which may be polluting or dangerous) to escape to the atmosphere.
With rupturable pressure relief apparatus, if they are improperly installed or damaged during installation or handling or if they are used in cyclic pressure service, they often fail prematurely, i.e., at pressure levels below the predetermined design rupture pressure thereof. Such pressure apparatus can also fail because of a momentary pressure surge in the vessel or system being protected requiring the immediate shutdown of the vessel or system involved to allow the rupturable apparatus to be replaced.
Heretofore, rupturable pressure relief apparatus have been utilized upstream of reliefvalves to eliminate problems associated with relief valve leakage and to facilitate the periodic testing of the relief valves without vessel or system shutdowns and venting of polluting fluids to the atmosphere.
However, upon failure of the rupturable pressure relief apparatus, whether premature or otherwise, the downstream pressure relief valves are at least momentarily opened due to the shock wave of the released pressurized fluids impacting the relief valves. Rupturable pressure relief apparatus have also been used in series in attempts to avoid the release of polluting fluids to the atmosphere upon the premature or other failure of the first or primary rupturable pressure relief apparatus. Again, however, when the shock wave produced by the rupture of the primary rupturable apparatus impacts the downstream apparatus, the downstream apparatus usually also ruptures even though the pressure of the fluid relieved through the primary apparatus is less than the predetermined design rupture pressure of the downstream apparatus.
According to the present invention, we provide a pressure relief apparatus comprising a rupture disk which ruptures when a predetermined fluid pressure is exerted thereon, and means for mounting said rupture disk in sealed communication with a source of pressurized fluid, the rupture disk bulging when a shock wave is exerted thereon and bulging and rupturing at fluid pressures equal to or greater than said predetermined pressure, and a rupture member which ruptures when bulged, said rupture member being positioned behind and adjacent said rupture disk, so that when said rupture disk bulges, said rupture member also bulges and ruptures, whereby when pressurised fluid pressure below said predetermined pressure accompanied by a shock wave acts on said rupture disk, said rupture disk bulges and is constrained against rupture by said rupture member, which bulges and ruptures, thereby absorbing the energy of said chock wave, the rupture disk retaining said fluid.
Such an apparatus can be installed downstream of a primary pressure relief device or can inicude a primary pressure relief device, which apparatus is capable of absorbing the shock wave produced when the primary device opens thereby retaining pressurized fluids unless and until the pressure of the fluids reaches or exceeds the predetermined design rupture pressure of the apparatus.
In order that the present invention will be more reaily understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of a pressure vessel having a primary pressure relief device connected thereto and one form of the apparatus of the present invention connected downstream of the primary relief device; Figure 2 is a side partially cross-sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are top plan views of the rupture member and rupture disk respectively of the apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating the apparatus after pressurized fluid and an accompanying shock wave have impacted the apparatus;; Figures 6 and 7 are side cross-sectional views of a second form of rupture disk and rupture member of the present invention, before and after being impacted by a pressurized fluid and an accompanying shock wave; Figures 8 and 9 are similar views of a third form of rupture disk and rupture member of the present invention; Figures 10 and 12 are similar views of still another form of the rupture disk and rupture member of the present invention; Figure ii is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 10; Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a further form of apparatus of the present invention which includes a primary rupture disk; and Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 13 after rupture of the primary rupture disk and after pressurized fluids and the accompanying shock wave generated thereby having impacted the secondary rupture disk and rupture member thereof.
Figure 1 shows a pressure vessel or fluid system 10 to be protected having pressure relief apparatus 12 connected thereto. For this purpose the pressure relief apparatus 12 includes a primary pressure relief device 14, the inlet of which is sealingly connected by a conduit 16 to an opening in the vessel 10. A conduit 18 is sealingly connected to the outlet of the device 14 and to an inlet of a pressure relief apparatus 20 of the present invention, which has an outlet conduit 22 leading to atmosphere. If desired, the device 14 and apparatus 20 can be directly connected together and to the conduit 16 thereby eliminating the conduit 18, and the conduit 22 can be eliminated or it can lead released pressurized fluids to a location other than the atmosphere.
The device 14 can, for example, be a relief valve or a rupture disk assembly, i.e., one or more rupture disks, having a predetermined rupture pressure, clamped between a pair of complementary support members or flanges.
The apparatus 20 of the invention shown in Figure 2 comprises a rupture disk 24 and at least one rupture member 26 clamped between inlet and outlet supporting flanges 28 and 30, respectively.
The inlet inlet flange 28 is sealingly weided to the conduit 18 which is sealingly welded to the outlet of the device 14. The outlet flange 30 is connected in a like manner two the conduit 22. The flanges 28 and 30 having passing therethrough a plurality of studs 32 each having a nut 34, to clamp sealinglythe rupture disk 24 and rupture member 26 therebetween. The rupture disk and rupture member could alternatively be clamped, for example, by threaded flanges, unions or separate annular supporting members clamped between flanges.
As shown in Figures 2,3 and 4the rupture disk 24 can be a flat disk and the rupture member 26 can be a rupture disk of a size corresponding to the size of the rupture disk 24. The rupture member 26 includes an annular flat flange portion 36 connected to a prebulged portion 38 by a transition connection 40.
The annular flat flange portion 36 of the rupture member 26 and a corresponding portion of the rupture disk 24 are positioned adjacent each other and are clamped between gaskets 42 which are in turn clamped between the flanges 28 and 30. The sealed space 44 between the rupture disk 24 and the rupture member 26 is filled with air.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the rupture member 26 and rupture disk 24 are each provided with scores 41 on a surface of the central portion thereof to define lines of weakness, along which the rupture member 26 will tear upon rupture thereby reducing or preventing fragmentation.
In operation of the apparatus 20, when fluid pressure is exerted on the pressure relief device 14 at a level or in a manner whereby the pressure relief device 14 opens, pressurized fluid abruptly flows through the device 14 creating a shock wave which impacts the rupture disk 24 of the apparatus 20.
The rupture disk 24 is formed of a ductile material and is of a thickness such that when fluid pressure is exerted thereon less than the predetermined design rupture pressure of the rupture disk 24, the rupture disk 24 bulges but does not rupture. When a fluid pressure equal to or greater than the predetermined design rupture pressure of the disk 24 is exerted thereon, it bulges and ruptures.
On the other hand, the rupture member 26 is formed of a material and has a thickness such that when it is bulged, it ruptures. Thus, when the pressurized fluid and accompanying shock wave generated by the opening of the pressure relief device 14 impact the rupture disk 24, the rupture disk 24 bulges which compresses the air trapped between the rupture disk 24 and causes the rupture member 26 to bulge and rupture as illustrated in Figure 5. The rupture of the rupture member 26 absorbs the energy of the shock wave, thereby preventing the rupture disk 24 from rupturing, so that it can retain the pressurized fluid released by the device 14.
If the pressurized fluid released by the device 14 is at a pressure level equal to or greater than the predetermined design rupture pressure of the rupture disk 24, after the rupture member 26 ruptures, the rupture disk 24 will also rupture thereby releasing the pressurized fluid to the atmosphere and relieving pressure from the vessel 10.
The rupture disk 24 and rupture member 26 of the apparatus 20 can take various forms and more than one rupture member can be used depending upon the particular use of the apparatus. For example, Figure 6 shows a flat rupture disk 46 and a flat rupture member 48, separated by an annular spacer 50, to provide a sealed space filled with airtherebe- tween. Upon impact of a pressurized fluid and accompanying shock wave, the rupture disk 46 is bulged and the rupture member 48 is ruptured as shown in Figure 7.
In applications where the force created by the impact of pressurized fluid and accompanying shock wave on the rupture disk of the apparatus 20 is great, a flat rupture disk 52 can be utilized with a first flat rupture member 54 positioned therebehind and a second prebulged rupture member 56 positioned behind the first rupture member 54. A spacer 58 is provided between the rupture disk 52 and first rupture member 54 whereby a sealed space filled with air is provided therebetween. Upon the impact of a pressurized fluid and accompanying shockwave with the rupture disk 52, it is bulged which causes both the rupture members 54 and 56 to rupture and thereby dissipate the shock wave energy as shown in Figure 9.
A variety of combinations of flat or prebulged rupture disks with one or more flat or prebulged rupture members with or without air spaces provided therebetween and with and without scores can be utilized as appropriate. The rupture disks and rupture members can be formed from a variety of materials including metal, plastic, ceramic and the like, depending upon the design rupture pressure of the apparatus and various other factors. Generally, the rupture disk is formed of a ductile metallic material with the rupture member or members being formed of more brittle metallic materials, plastic materials, ceramic materials, etc.
The rupture disk and one or more rupture members can have a peripheral shape other than circular.
Figures 10 to 12 illustrate a fourth form of rupture member 62 which includes rupturable straps 68 positioned adjacent and in contact with a rupture disk 60. As best shown in Figure 11,the rupture member 62 includes a flat annular flange portion 64 and four substantially triangular openings 66 forming straps 68 joined together at the central portion of the member 62 creating lines of weakness therein and causing the straps to rupture therealong. As shown in Figure 12, when the rupture disk 60 is impacted by a pressurized fluid and accompanying shock wave, the rupture disk 60 bulges with in turn causes the rupture member 62 to bulge and the straps 68 to rupture.
Figures 13 and 14 show a further embodiment 80 of the apparatus of the present invention, this comprising an inlet annular supporting member 82, an intermediate annular supporting member 84 and an outlet annular supporting member 86 which are adapted for clamping between conventional flanges.
Between the inlet supporting member 82 and intermediate supporting member 84 is a primary rupture disk 88 which includes a prebulged central portion 90. Between the intermediate supporting member 84 and the outlet supporting member 86 is a flat secondary rupture disk 92 and a rupture member 94.
The rupture member 94 includes a prebulged central portion 91 and is positioned adjacent the flat secondary rupture disk 92.
The primary rupture disk 88 can take various forms, e.g., it can be prebulged with the concave side thereof facing the inlet supporting member 82, it can be flat or it can be reverse buckling, i.e., prebulged with the convex portion thereof facing the inlet supporting member 82. In whatever form the primary rupture disk 88 takes, it is formed of a material and has a thickness such that it ruptures at a predetermined design fluid pressure. The secondary rupture disk 92 can also take various forms as described above in connection with the rupture disk 24 but is formed of a ductile material such that when a fluid pressure is exerted on the rupture disk 92 less than the predetermined design rupture pressure of the primary rupture disk 90, but accompanied by a shock wave, the secondary rupture disk 92 bulges but does not rupture.The rupture member 94 can also take various forms as described above in connection with the rupture member 26 but is formed of a material and has a thickness such that it ruptures when bulged.
As shown in Figure 14, the inlet supporting member 82 is sealingly connected to a pressure vessel or system to be protected. When an overpressure condition exists therein, the primary rupture disk 88 ruptures thereby releasing pressurized fluids and generating a shock wave which impacts the secondary rupture disk 92 causing it to bulge.
This compresses the air trapped between the disk 92 and the rupture member 94 which in turn bulges the rupture member 94 causing itto rupture. Because the pressurized fluid is at a pressure level equal to or greater than the predetermined design rupture pressure of the secondary rupture disk 92, it also ruptures (not shown) whereby pressurized fluids are released through the apparatus 80 and the pressure within the vessel or system being protected is relieved.
In the event the primary rupture disk 88 ruptures prematurely for any of various reaons, at a fluid pressure level below the predetermined design rupture pressure of the disks 88 and 92, the pressurized fluid and the accompanying shock wave generated by the rupture of the disk 88 impact the secondary rupture disk 92 causing it to bulge; this causes the rupture member 94 to bulge and rupture which absorbs the shock wave energy and prevents the rupture disk 92 from rupturing. The pressurized fluids released by the premature rupture of disk 88 are thereby retained by disk 92 so long as the pressure level of fluids contained within the vessel or system being protected remains below the predetermined design rupture pressure of the secondary rupture disk 92.When such pressure level exceeds the predetermined design rupture pressure, the secondary rupture disk 92 also ruptures thereby relieving the pressure in the vessel or system being protected.
As described above with reference to Figures 2 to 12, the apparatus 80 can include more than one rupture member positioned behind the rupture member 94 and a variety of combinations of primary rupture disk, secondary rupture disk and rupture members can be utilized. Further, the supporting members 82,84 and 86 can take a variety of forms depending upon the particular location or piping system in which the apparatus 80 is to be installed.
It will now be readily apparent that the apparatus of the present invention absorbs the shock wave produced by the sudden release of pressurized fluid and retains the fluid, i.e., prevents the fluid from being released to the atmosphere until and unless the pressure of the fluid equals or exceeds a predetermined design rupture pressure whereupon complete pressure relief of the vessel or system being protected is effected.
In some applications, the primary pressure relief device or primary rupture disk may be set or have a predetermined design rupture pressure lower than the design rupture pressure of the secondary rupture disk and rupture member or members whereby when the lower pressure level is reached, the primary device or disk relieves pressure and releases pressurized fluids, but such fluids are retained until a higher pressure is reached whereupon complete pressure relief is effected.

Claims (12)

1. A pressure relief apparatus comprising a rupture disc which ruptures when a predetermined pressure fluid is exerted thereon, and means for mounting said rupture disk in sealed communication with a source of pressurized fluid, the rupture disk bulging when a shock wave is exerted thereon and bulging and rupturing at fluid pressures equal to or greater than said predetermined pressure, and a rupture member which ruptures when bulged, said ruptue member being positioned behind and adjacent said rupture disk, so that when said rupture disk bulges, said rupture member also bulges and ruptures, whereby when pressurised fluid pressure below said predetermined pressure accompanied by a shock wave acts on said rupture disk, said rupture disk bulges and is constrained against rupture by said rupture member, which bulges and ruptures, thereby asborbing the energy of said shock wave, the rupture disk retaining said fluid.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rupture disk includes scores on a surface thereof forming lines of weakness therein.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said rupture member includes one or more rupturable straps positioned adjacent and in contact with said rupture disk.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said rupture member is in the form of a rupture disk.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said rupture disk is flat and said rupture member is a prebulged rupture disk, whereby a sealed space filled with air is provided between said rupture disk and said rupture member.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said rupture disk and rupture member are flat.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein spacer means are positioned between said rupture disk and rupture member and providing a sealed space filled with airtherebetween.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein one or more additional rupture members are positioned behind said first rupture member
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said rupture member includes scores on a surface thereof creating lines of weakness therein.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim which is mounted downstream of the primary rupture disk.
11. Pressure relief apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 ofthe accompanying drawings.
12. Apparatus according to claim 12 modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, or Figures 8 and 9, or Figures 10, 11 and 12, or Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.
GB137449A 1981-01-22 1981-12-11 Pressure relief apparatus Withdrawn GB2091808A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US22718281A 1981-01-22 1981-01-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2091808A true GB2091808A (en) 1982-08-04

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB137449A Withdrawn GB2091808A (en) 1981-01-22 1981-12-11 Pressure relief apparatus

Country Status (5)

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DE (1) DE3201442A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2498283A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2091808A (en)
IE (1) IE820120L (en)
IT (1) IT1221728B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8414788B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2013-04-09 Fike Corporation Reverse acting rupture disc with laser-defined electropolished line of weakness and method of forming the line of weakness
CN105351586A (en) * 2015-12-11 2016-02-24 南京理工大学 Quick response venting device
WO2018042250A1 (en) * 2016-08-29 2018-03-08 John Tomasko Pressure relief module

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8414788B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2013-04-09 Fike Corporation Reverse acting rupture disc with laser-defined electropolished line of weakness and method of forming the line of weakness
CN105351586A (en) * 2015-12-11 2016-02-24 南京理工大学 Quick response venting device
CN105351586B (en) * 2015-12-11 2018-07-31 南京理工大学 Quick response is through-flow device
WO2018042250A1 (en) * 2016-08-29 2018-03-08 John Tomasko Pressure relief module
US20190203845A1 (en) * 2016-08-29 2019-07-04 Bs&B Innovations Limited Pressure relief module
CN110168266A (en) * 2016-08-29 2019-08-23 J·托马斯克 Pressure releasing module
US10975977B2 (en) * 2016-08-29 2021-04-13 Bs&B Innovations Limited Pressure relief module
CN110168266B (en) * 2016-08-29 2021-11-30 J·托马斯克 Pressure relief module

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2498283A1 (en) 1982-07-23
DE3201442A1 (en) 1982-08-12
IT8219067A0 (en) 1982-01-12
IT1221728B (en) 1990-07-12
IE820120L (en) 1982-07-23

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