MAINTENANCE/MATERIALS

Material selection for lowtemperature applications

Analysis shows conventional metallurgy is usually adequate for process upsets
S. KUMAR, Worley Limited (Oil/Gas), Perth, Australia

void .selecting cxpciisivc iiiatcrials of constiucrion for ihorclerm, low-cempcraturc exposures ot vessel* and piping. Short-term low temperature generally uccurs during blowdown iif a section of the process. Straight low-tetnpcraturc data from a deprcisiirizatioti study might appear to cxa^cratc tiic thi'ear of brittle fracture. However, detailed study reveals that low-tempetatLire exposure is getierally not as adverse as SLispected, and that conventional metallurgy' \s usually adequate for the application. .Scenarios leading to low-tenipetature exposures are not unustial in oil and gas plantsit might be a long-term normal process or a short-term abnormal contingency [see Appendix l).The immediate concern of any low-temperature exposure is selecting compatible metallurgy. Cryogenic exposure adversely affecls the metal properties such that the material strength (brittle fracttire resistancetoughness) becomes questionable, particularly under high pressure (see Appendix 2). A perfect material selection requites process knowledge and material sciciice. At tiiiies, over-consen'ative material selection results, due to lack of coordiiiatioii between tbe process engineer ajid material specialist. As per general convention in an engineering design company, a material specialist is responsihle for selecting appropriate material and examining its worthiness for low-temperature conditions, based on the minimum design temperature (MDT) as specified by rhe process engineer. The source of over-conservatism starts when the process engineer nominates the vessel MD'l'to be equal to minimum temperarure of the process fluid. However, often in reality, -MDTis not equal to process temperature. As will be discussed later, particularly during short-term blowdown, reasonable credits are available to avoid tbe potential low-temperauire scenario that can raise the vessel MD'l niLLch above the actual process fluid temperature.

Fluid temperaturethe colder the temperature, the more severe rhe risk of brittle fracture Material metallurgy and thickness. The impact of thickness and metallurgj' on low-temperarure failure is discussed later (See Appendix 2). C o l d l i q u i d s e r v i c e . Given rhe higher heat transfer coefficient in liquid, it is reasonable to equate the material temperature to the liquid temperarure. flowever, concessions in the minimum design metal temperature {MDMT, due to low pressure) can be taken, as will be discussed later. Cold g a s s e r v i c e s . In gas service, however, unlike liquid, the film heat transfer coefficLent is relarively very poor. So, it is highly unreasonable to equate the MDMT to the temperature of the cold gas, unless the vessel is insulated and the cold service is long term. Indeed, the gaseous low-temperature scenario needs detailed study to determine a realistic MDMTiiiA to select an appropriate construction material. The following example helps one understand the implication. A low-temperature stitdy iiidicates that cold blowdown gas can expose [he discharge pipe to-200''F at the end of 15 minutes blowdown, the coincident pressure being only 20 psig (less than 30% of the pipe design pressure). On the face of this example, without any study, one can nominate the MDMTi.i't the pipe to be -200 ", atid cat) propose use of stainless steel. I he questioii: How realistic is this MDM'Tdiwd the resultant material selection? A detailed scttdy, however, reveals even normal carbon steel ASTM106 (Gr. B) with A/Z)A/7"of-20F would be suitable for the service. The detailed low-temperature srudy essentially comprises the following rwo different approaches. They may be used in conjuncrion or in isolation. Heat transfer model: The heat transfer (I IT) model helps us determine the realistic wall temperature that a vessel/pipe section can attain within tbe specified short term. As will be shown later in detail, the HT model incorporates a dynamic heat balance over a unit section of pipe. Coincidental concession: This approach allows some concession in A/ZJMT" (reduced MDM'l), should the coincidental operating pressure be lower than the design pressure. However, this approach needs special attention, as will be discussed later. Heat t r a n s f e r m o d e l . The model is based on the basic premise that the wall temperature progressively dips due to net hear
HYDROCARBON PROCESSING JULY 2004 ' 85

This article explores useful information from ASM K and other relevant codes, and integrates it with a low-iemperatare study. Joint knowledge of process and material engineering belps a process engineer maintain an integral and economical design. Generally, as a quick rule of thumb, any process event that would expose the metal to colder than -20"V wili necessitate a low-temperature study to justtfy use of the proposed material of construction. Severiry of low-remperature exposure depends on the following factors: State ot the process fluid within the vessel: liquid/gas, lleat transfer (cold fluid to metal) for liquid is faster (han that for gas. Fluid pressuretbe bigher the coincident pressure, rhe higher the potential of brittle fracture in metal

MAINTENANCE/MATERIALS

A: Heat loss rate (metal to gas) B: Heat gain rate (amb. to metal) C; Metal temperature

Amb. temp. =

Outside heat transfer = Q., Heat loss from metal = H

TimeThe rate of both heat transfers varies with time. Cold gas

. i
Inside heat transfer = Qg^ \ Gas temp. = Tg^ Metal temp. = !

loss from the wall metal. The net heat loss is a balance of the hcai loss to cold gas and the heat in-leak from ambient. The heat loss rate from metal to g.is tundamentally depends on the temperatuic and film heat transfer coetTicknt of the told fluid. The hear inleak rate from ambicni air depends on the temperature difference between ambietic and metal, with the ambient (outside) heat tratisfer coefficient and ait temperattire being nearly constant. Fig. 1 shows the simuitaneoiLS telation.ship and behavior of the heat tran.sfer system. As is evident from curves A and B, the rate of both :he heat transfers varies with time, and so does the beat loss/gain from the metal. Therefore, a dynamic heat balance is needed to estimate the variation in metal temperature along time. A dynamic H T model is ptesented for cold gas flowing though a discharge pipe downstream of a BDV assembly. Here we will model the heat transfer around a unit section of tail pipe. The tnodel assumes that the vessel/pipe is not lagged with any insulation or fire blanket. The tail pipes are more prone to low-temperature exposure than tbe upstream inlet pipe/vessel during the blowdown. Blowdown ga.s conditions and properties can be exttacted ftom any depressuring software. fieat in-leaks occur simultaneously from ambient to pipe, and pipe to cold gas. Initially, there is an imbalance of heat transfer in favor of heat lo.ss to the pipe. As a result, the pipe starts getting told. Much later, however, both the heat transfers balance, and the pipe tempetature .vtops declining. After the pipe gets told enotigh, the heat imbalanee slightly shifrs in Pavot of anibiejit heat gain to pipe. Eventually, dependiiig on the time, the pipe temperature increases marginally. The rea.son for heat imbalance in favor of heat loss to pipe i.s due ro a significantly higher gas-side heat tran.sfer toefFitient than that of the ambient side (Fig. 2). The model is based on a unit lengtii ol pipe (irtimediately downstreatn of BDV) and is represented by the following equation: Heat loss from pipe = inside heat transfer - ouiside heat transfer We will break the total time span of blowdown into equal increments of one minute. Incremental heat gain/loss during the n'^ minute from a unit
86 JULY 2004 liYDRCCARBON PROCESSING

The gas-side heat transfer coeffieiertt is significantly higher than the ambient side.

section ot pipe i^ given by:

60
ral temperature change in the pipe section as a result of Eq, 1 is given by: II. (2)

Pipe temperature at an n instance of time can be represented. by the following: (3)

(1=0

me.,

Eq. 3, simultaneously with Eqs. 4 and 8, can be integrated numerically by writing a suitable VR code in a macro module of Excel. The Vli codes, as developed by the author, piiivide the pipe tetnpetature profile ovet a specified time {Fig. 3).* The two R.H.S. expressions of Eq. 1 ate .separately elaborated and discus.sed in detail; Inside heat transfer. The heat transfer rate from a unir pipe section to cold gds varies with time and depends on the following time-dependent (dynamic) variables: Cias-side heat transfer coefficient continuously decrease.^ with flowtate, Gas temperature decreases with time. Pipe temperature varies with time. The ins tan tart eou.s heat transfer rate at n titiie is given by:

r has develupedVB codes lo solve the overafllouv-ierrpefaiure problem Contaclihe ajthor for c

MAINTENANCE/MATERIALS
TABLE 1. Exposure conditions
Pressure, psig Temp., "f Pressure, psig Temp., *F Pressure, psig Temp., F

313

-1

142 110 8G

-49

sn
715 S48 413 317

-2
-5 -12 -20 -27 -34 -41

246
190

70 54 47 39 35

-56 -63 -69 -76

-80 -85 -88

31 27 25
21

-91 -95 -97

-102 -104 --106 -107 -109 The VB codes provide the temperature profile over a specified time. 10 Time, min.

19 18 17 16

Tbe instantaneous beat transfer coefficient at ''' time can be estimated from the following:

(5)
The thertnodynamic properties of the cold gas can htfrom simulation and assumed constant amid the varying gas flowrate and temperature. The hlowdown Howratc decreases from ,iii initial peak to a minimum rate within tht specified blovvduwn time. The mass rate, particulaily during hlowdiiwii, is an I'xpiineiitial function of time and can he fit to the following equation:

by ambient air) is smaller than rhat for the hot surface (being cooled by ambient air). The reason being, the former does nor include the phenomenon of radiation and natural convection, which generally cast a significant effect on heat transfer. Conventional correlations for estimating ourside ambient heat transfer coefficient based on wind velocit}', as given in literature (particularly Fig 2.9'), are generally for hot surfaces. Using the conventional correlations, therefore, might result in potential error in end results. Unfortunately, availability of correlations in the engineering literature for estimating amhient heat ttansfer coefficient for a eold surface is very poor. However, a simple experin!fnt a.s set up by the author, indicates that the value varies betv/een 0.5 and 2 Btu/(h ft^"^). It is reasonable to use 1.0 Btu/(h ft^F). Again, instantaneous temperature of the unit section of pipe, /,'. \s estimated via solving Eqs. 3, 7 and 8 simultaneou.sly at the T;''' stage of time using VB codes. The following example shows the application of the H I ' model. A tail pipe i)f ,1 BDV discharges cold gas over a 15-minutLperiod. Data required for calctilation are given helow. I he pipe is standard 4-in, SA 106 (MDMT^ -2O''F). G, = 10,000; Gj = 20: r (initial) = - 3 0 ; 7 (final) = -200; u = (\{)m:k =().013:<;- = 0.45; D, ^4,026; Z ) = 4.5;

G^ =G,xE\p(-Cx.vJ
where a>nsrant Cis given hy following;

(6)

As the blowdown progresses, the fia.s continues to get ciilder. The declining icmpcrature generally toUowf. a .strLiight lint' with respect to time. The instantaneous gas temperature at '*' time can he estimated by the following:
' g 2 -^gl)^

p_^ =483;<;^^ ="11;"';, =40;/i,, = l;.v = l5 Refer to the nomenclature tor descriptions of symbols and units. \ his problem was solved by applying a heat balance every second for I 5 minutes via VB macro codes in an Excel spreadsbeet. The results are presented in Fig. 3. Tbe nietai cur\'e indicates that the minimum tempetature the pipe can attain is 70F at the 12th minute. Then after 12 minutes, the gas heat transfer coefficient drops to such a value that outside heat transfer exceeds the inside heat transfer, and effectively the pipe starts gaining heat Ironi amhient. It is cvidenr from this example that the tnetal tetnpcrature can never reach the minimum gas temperature (-200F).The coincident pressure ar -7i)''V of metal temperature is nearly close to atmospheric where coincident ratio would be less than 0.35. As a result, as will be discussed later, we can furtber apply concessions in the A / Z W / o f SA106. Finally, we can nominate the reduced MDMToi$A\0(> being -155F,

V-

+ 7; Si

(7)

The instantaneous temperature of the unit section of pipe, T,^^, is estimated via solving Hc[s, 3. 7 and S sinuiltarieoti.sly at the ri'^ stage of time, using VB codes. Outside heat transfer. The inside heat transfer from pipe nietai to the ga.s will make the pipe progressively colder. The cold pipe in turn will he heated by the amhient heat tr.insfct. Instantaneous heat transfer rate at ri time Irom amhient to the unit section of pipe is given by:

The terms such as amhieni temperature and amhient heat transfer coefficient in Hq. 8 are assumed constant. '1 he amhient heat transfer coefficient for the cold surface (being heated
88 JULY 2004 HYDR0CAR80N PROCESSING

MAINTENANCE/MATERIALS

Determine CET

Determine material thickness (< 10 mm}

Ratio --1

Consider concession in MDMT

Nominate

Consider concession in MDMT

Yes (warmer)

Optional

Following materials are suitable: Vessel: SA516(Gr 65/70, il not normalized) Pipe: SA106, API5L

Fotlowing materials are suitable: Vessel: SA516 (all grades, it normalized) Pipe: SA333

Consider impact testing at desired temperature

Following materials are suitable: Vessel: Stainless steel Pipe: Stainless steel

Note: The above flow chart presents a simplified and general approacli for determining MDMT, reduced MDMT impact testing reguirement and material assessment. The flow chart is applicable for thickness less than or equal to 10 mm. However, if the thickness is greater than 10 mm, the applicable MDMT can be leferred from the relevant ASME curve, and the fundamental approach shall remain unchanged. Methodology for applying concession in MDMT,

where this material is obviously suitable at minimum operariiig temperature (-70?, as predicted by H'l" modeling) during blowdowii. At tbis stage, we can definitely rule out use of any exotic metallLirgy i>r stainless steel. Concession in MDMT-Vhc MDMTh the minimum limiring temperature the vessel/pipe material can sustain (wirboui having r<i be impact tted) at full de.sign pressure {DP). Tbc A/DJW7" value (.all be obiLiined trom the applicable curve as given in ASMI' (Piping: B31.3-2002 Rg, 323.2.2A. Ves.?els: USC-66.1), lhe MDMI'h a vessel/piping material properly that is dictated by tbe ASME curves or impact testing. The lowest process remperatiiiv never fixes the MliM'l; rather it does help, in conjtinction with MDMT, m determining the integrity of tbe material. Quite often, we encotinter a .siruarlon where the lowest process medium temperature \s even lower than the A//JA/7'limits set by the curves. Rut such a situation generally occurs ar much lower ptessure than the vessel DP. Ibis low operating pressure is defined as the coincident prtssure. To justify suitability of the same vessel material whose MDMTis warmer tbaii ihe pro90 ( JULY 2004 HYDROCARBON PROCESSING

cess temperature, tbe ASME (B31.3-2002 and UCS-66.1) and API 579 allows for concession in MDMTaz coincidental low operating pressure. It is believed that tbe coincident low pressure will induce low stresses (the general prinwry niembtjne tensile stress) m the vessel such that MDMT can be reduced without any btittle fracture. The "coincident ratio" is defined as tbe ratio of cbc requirecJ thickness corresponding to the low coincident presstire (without CA) to the nominal tbickitess used for construction. The coincident ratio and the corresponding A/DA/T" concessions ate applicable wben the low stresses are greater than 8 ksi (>35% of DP). In a simplified way, tbe ciiincideiu ratio can be coarsely estimated as the r^itio ot operating to de.sign pressures. Traditionally, the concession has been applied in determining suitability of existing equipment for anticipated low-temperatute service. fhe draft API 579 presents a methodology for retrospective determination of critical exposure temperature {CET) and reduced MDM'l. The CET Is defined as tbc lowest process temperature at wbich the equipment metal will be exposed to at a coincident pressure greater than 35% of equipment design

MAINTENANCE/MATERIALS
pressure. The Ch'Tmay be a single temperature or ;m fiivelape of temperatures and coincident low pressures, A minimum 5afe operating temperature {MSOT) curve between reduced MDMTs.Vid coiiicidenr.d low pressures can be e.'itablished. Thus ir follows that two curves can be const rue ted: CE'I and MSOT. Suitability of the material and .safe operation is indicated when the CETcuvvt stays above the MSOTcurve. Even though rhe.s,e guidelines are intended for retrospective assessment of existing equipment in low-temperjlure service, they can be used for the design specification of new equipment, too, with an important operational nine. The operating manual must be incorporated with repressuring procedures as follows. During the repressuring (above the coincident pressure) for resumption of normal service, the equipment must he warm enough such that the combination of coincidetit pressure and vessel temperature always scays above the A/50'/ctirve. In other words, if the equipment is subject to process temperature below MDMl'-iX low pressure as discussed previotisly, it must be allowed to re-warm before it is repressured. The methodology for applying concession jn MDMI is presented in Fig. 4 and explained through the following example: A 42-in. ID fuel gas scrubber (DP = 890 psig) is fabricated from SA^K" plate (grade 70, normalized). The shori-term vessel blowdown prior to maintenance is anticipated to expose the vessel (o the followmg conditions, as extracted ftom the simulation program. Suitability of ibe vessel needs to be reviewed during the blowdown scenario.

200

400 600 800 Coincident preMure, psig

1,000

Results of Table 2.

Methodology:

CHI'aiTvi:: Construct a CiTcurve (coincident pressures vs. teniperaturw, as given in Table 1). The figures of low temperatures and corresponding coincident should he e.stimated at above 35% of tbe /)/'. 1 heretore, the coincidental low pressure ctit-off point for the CfTcurve = 0.35 X 890 = 312 psig. MSQTcurve: Construct an A/.W/curve, following the steps given below. I his curve indicates the relationship between various coincident operating pressures (Iable 1) and corresponding reduced MDMT.
Continued

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TABL.E 2. Thickness calculation table
OP (coincidental low pressure), psig Required thickness, X^. 0,881 0.873 0.767 0.585 0.439 0,336

in.
1.007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1.007

Coincident ratio, ^ , in. 0.87B 0.867 0.762 0.581 0.436 0,334

Concession,

Reduced-MDMT, F (MDMTConcession)

CET. f (for reference only)

819 811 715 548 413 317

11 12 2S 42 75 130

-31 -32 -45 -62 -95

-150

-1

-2
-5 -12 -20 -27

Vessel wail thickness; DP = 890 psig R=2\ in. = 100% ,S= 20,000 psi Vessel wall thickness is given by the X^^^^.CA Substituting the v.ilues in thicknessformula,we get: X= 1,079 in. The nearest standatcl plate (SA*! 16) ;ivaila!ik' is 1,2'i in, 1 hereforc, used thickness oFmaterial. K, = 1.25 in. Following that, now estimate the required thitkness based on the corresponding operating pressure without CA, as inputted in the second column ot'lable 2,
XD

sively colder with declining pressure. Operational blowdown: During planned maintenance, the system needs to be emptied of its hydrocarbon inventory. This type of blowdown is generally controlled ,such that any cryogenic exposure can be climinaied. However, use of the same oriftce (designed for emergency hlowdown) for operational blowdown will give rise to low-temperature concern, Leaks: Leaks can occur as A result of nozzle gasket or control valve failure, or pipeline rupture. The effects are the .same as from hlowdown, Ambient: The lowest ambient temperature might jeopardize cryogenic iiitegrily of the material, APPENDIX 2. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF MATERIAL5 Steels used for construciion are ductile .it warm temperatures, and the stress-strain curve depicts the following tensile regions: Elastic region in which deformation is reversible and time independent Plastic region where metal deformation occurs after the stress IS removed Permanent set region that represents the "yield strength" of the metal. Usually a small tensile specimen of steel stretches plastically by a large amount before breaking. Yet large pressure components (fabricated vessel/pipes) from the same material sometimes fracture without much plasticity at nominal stresses helow the "yield stress" for the following reasons. Such fractures in the pressure components are caused by minor cracks that result from fahrication, welding or low-temperature brittleness. Nonetheless, the material of pressure components, unlike that of the specimen, is additionally exposed to hoop .stresses. The steels exhibit a characteristic temperature range calied "ductile brittle transition temperature" [DBT], below which [hey are susceptible to hrittle fracture, IFa ves.sel/pipe is operated bdow DBT the material loses its ductility and, con.sequently. might result in a potential crack (r geotnetrical notch. The crack or flaw thus generated, however minor, acts as a stress concentrator and induces a brittle type fracture. The crack tends to grow slowly and progre.ssively under regular service load as the stress continues to concentrate around it. liventuaily, the crack penetrates through the wall cross-section and results in hrittle fracture failure. The lower the temperature for a given steel, the greater the potential for hrittle fracture. The DflFvaries with the (jualitj'of tnaterial. Material toughness is an index to the hrittle fracture: the lower the tetnperature, the poorer the toughness. Material toughness can be inferred from impact test results. The purpose of a Charpy impact test is to determine worthiness of a

PR

SE - 0.6P The MDMT At 1.25 in,, using the ASMK curve D = -20^, Construct the calculation Table 2. Inspeciing Table 2 indicates that the ("/f/data are warmer than the reduced MDMl' IIAVA. Hence, the selected material SA 516 is suitahle for this contingency. However, the operaring manual should be modified with the following repressuring instruction, Reprtvsuri/e the vessel iii the w.irm condition such that any tt-mpcraturc iiiid prfs,stire aimhiiiatioii must stay above the A/,ST.J7 curve, 'lahli; 2 results are plotted in the CET/MSOT curve (fig, 5), APPENDIX 1. LOW-TEMPERATURE CONTINGENCY A process upset during normal operation is not unusual. The effects of process upsets are variations in process conditions {pressure temperature or llow), Getieraily, most process upsets can be attenuated hy using pressure safety valves. But unfortunately, upsets that result in exposing metal to low temperature can only be handled hy integrity of the material; n<t mechanical device can protect the system frotn brittle fracture, 1 be following upsets can contribute to low-temperature contingency: Etnergency blowdown: An emergency situation such as confirmed fire and gas detection, the hydrocarbon mvenrori,' of the system has to be vented out within a specified time to avoid risk of vessel rupture and the resultant escalation of tire. Also, a system can he blown down for planned maintenance. In either case, contents of the system lose internal energy and get progres92 JULV Z004 HVDROCAfiBON PROCESSING

MAINTENANCE/MATERIALS
material at the intended low-temperature operation. The potential tor brittle tracttire is greater for thick vessel pipes for the following reasons. The inside and outside tempetatute difference results in a thetmal gradient across the wall thickness. The (hetiiiiii gradifiu indute.s differential expatision of material across the thickness that might eventually result in a crack. As a result of such a cascading effect, the higher the wall thickness, the greater the risk of brittle crack in a material. In a nutshell, the potential for hrittie fracture is subject to the type of steel and the wall thickness. The MDMT is defined as the cold limit of the vessel material at Rill operaiing pressure. The MDM'/'h an index for suitahility of the proposed material witluiiit any risk of brittle fracture. However, reduced MDM'I'is possible at lower operating pres.sures. Usually the mechanism and determination of brinle fracrure with respect to the material type and thicktiess and the operating temperature are very complex. In an attempt to eliminate the complexity and simplily the determination of lirirtle failure, ASME has provided simple and quick-reference curves (Fig. UCS-66 and 323.2.2A: MDMT vs. Nominul Thickness vs. Type of Material). Use of the curves is very simple AS follows (refer ro Fig. 5 also): Determine the lowest .service temperature. Detertnine material thickness based on the nominated system design pressure, Determine the type of material to be used for the system. Locate the above three combinations on the MDMT curves. If the combin.ition is above the material curve, the proposed material is suitable tor the intended cold service. If the combination is below tbe curve, then tbe material needs lo be upgraded or impact tested for the desired MDMT. Following are the useful extracts from the ASME curves: For thickness :SlO mm, coincidenl ratio - 1, and the coldest process temperature >-20F; the MDMTan be nominated to -20F and the following carbon steel material may be used: SA 516 (grades 6'i and 70. if not normalized) for pressure vessels andSA 106, API 51. for pipes, ^ For thickness :^ 10 mm, roimitietil ratio = 1. and the coldest process temperature >-55l'; the MDMT CAW be nominated to -55"? and tbe following carbon steel material may be used: SA 516 (all grades, if normalized) for pre.ssure ve.ssels and SA 333 for pipes. For thickness ^ 10 mm, coincident ratio between < 1 and ^0.35, and tbe coldest process temperattire >-155''F; consider taking a concession in MDMI'xo justity use of the above materials. For thickness S 1 {I mm, coiiicident ratio <O,35, and the coldest proce.ss temperature > - l 55l'; the MDMT an be nominated to -135''F and the above materials are suitable.
For thickness > 10 mm, refer to the curves to determine the realistic MDMT, take the concession in AYZJA/T if applicable. The basic methodology is same as described for thickness All ihe above guidelines are applicable if the requirement of itnpact testing is not considered. If the material is impact tested at tbe coldest process temperature, ihe MDM'l can be directly ei^uated to the impact test temperattire. HP NOMENCLATURE AND SYMBOLS
Symbol " (Siibsi.rjpi1) BDV
ij fj

Units

Description
Aiiiliii'iir

Btu/( Fib) Br.i/( F ib)

in.

CA CRT d

DBT
DP
psig

BkiwdowiL valvr SpeciTiL hem n( gas Speciiic heal ill nietal (A>risl;]rit in How (.'i|ua[ioii Q>rri>siim alliiw,in(.t Clririol (.'xposure temperaiirt DiffereEitiai operator Ducliie briiile traiisiiimi temper.uiire

D, D,
F g {Subscript) G| Gi G, h, h^ A-, H HTC
tj, k^ Ln LT rn m (Subscript) A-IDM'T

in.

in. %
ib/h Ib/h Ib/h B(u/(h fi--F) Btu/(h tV-F) Btu/(h f^\r) Btu

Design pres,iurc l'ipelD Pipe 01) Weld jciini efficiency Gai Initial peak gas lluwrate Final gas llowraie Instanianeoiis gas llovrate at n'*' instance WrC(ambient) HTCipis) Insiamaneoui HTC it n^ anil of lime (eas) Incremental heat loss/gain to pipe during n'" time interval Heal tniisfer coefticient
Thermal tonduciivity (gas) Tlu-rmal tmidiiciiviiy (metal) Natural log Low temperjlure Mass ol unit length oE pipe Metal/pipe Minimum de%ig[i iiRi.d reiiiperaiure

Btu/(b ft^'F) Btu/(h ft^F)

Ib .

MSOT ji {Second subscript) OP

/' Q^ Q, i' J i,, R T, T, Tg, 7j^

psig
psig Btu/h Btu/h psi Minutes Minute in. F "F *F "F

Mininuini atV opcratinj; itniptuiiiit (curve) Insuntaiieoin value oi the dynamic variable at tr' unit of tinic Operating pressure
1'ressiiri; In^tantiineoii,^ inside hear transfer (gas) ii* lime Outside he,ii nanrfcr (ambient) AllowilbJt stress ol" inateriai I'orji time of event (bkiwdowii) '''instance Vessel/pipe radiu.^ Temperatiirt (ambient) Temperature (gas) Insijiitaiiecun temperature (gas) at n'^ time Tcniptr,i(urc (nieul/pipe)

T
Sunil K u m a r i; wniw process engineer working with Worley Limrted lOil/Gds), Perih, Australia. Prior to that, he has ^rved Bechtel at various places in the world. Mr. Kumar has 15 years' process and system design enpeiience in the onshore/offshore oil and gas industries His key eipenence is in low-tempeiature studies and flare system modeling. He has his master's degree m chemical engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute and is a memt>er ot lEAust (The Inslilulion of Engineers Australia) Mr Kumar can be contacted at. k.sunilOtelstra con^ 94
JULY 2004 HYDROCARBON PROCESSING

*F in. in.

lintuiuaneoin rempeiaiiire at n''' minute

NiimiruJ wall rhkkn^v; Kcf^uircJ wall [hitkncss ai Lomcidcnral low Dcmity (iiicial)

X,
Pffl

Ib/tt'

BIBI.IOGRAPHV ASME.SiionVIII.l>iv. I. Kern, D. Q. Pioco! llrsi Tmiufit M(.(>rjv. Hill HiK.k ( i