Relief systems are provided on a platform in order to ensure

the safe operation of the facilities.

In accordance with API RP 14C, all hydrocarbons handling

equipment and pressure vessels will be provided with two
levels of over protection, high pressure trip (PSHH) with
shutdown action, and protection by mechanical devices,
Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) or Rupture Disc.

PSVs are installed at every point identified as potentially

hazardous, that is, at points where upset conditions create
pressure which may exceed the maximum
allowable
working pressure.

How High Pressure Develop

Over heating

High head ( from pumping or compression)

Over Filling

Failure of Regulator / Control valve.

External Fire

Runaway Reaction

Combustion of gas/dust

Freezing

Thermal Expansion

Loss of Mixing

Others

Definitions

Operating pressure : The gauge pressure during normal

service.

Set Pressure : The pressure at which the relief device begins

to activate or open.

Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) : The

maximum guage pressure permissible at the top of a vessel
for a designated temperature.

Vessel fails at 4 to 5 times of MAWP!!!! . But only hydrostatically

tested to 1.5 times.

Accumulation : The pressure increase over the maximum

allowable working pressure of a vessel during the relief
process. Expressed as % of MAWP.

Over Pressure : The pressure increase in vessel over the set

pressure during the relieving process. Overpressure is equivalent
to the accumulation when the set pressure is at the MAWP.
Expressed as % of set pressure. Must be specified prior relief
design. Typically 10 % ( or for fire 21%) will be used.
Blow-down : The pressure difference between the relief set
pressure and the relief reseating pressure.

Maximum Allowable Accumulated Pressure : The sum of the

maximum allowable working pressure plus the allowable
accumulation.

Back Pressure : The pressure at the outlet of the relief

device during the relief process due to pressure in the
discharge system.
1. Superimposed Back Pressure.
2. Built-up Back Pressure.
Total Back Pressure = Superimposed Back Pressure + Built-up
Back Pressure

1. Superimposed Back Pressure is the back pressure which may

exist at the outlet of a particular relief valve when connected
to a closed system. The pressure can be constant or
variable. The Superimposed back pressure always exists
even when the reliefvalve is closed.
2. Built-up Back Pressure is the pressure at the discharge of a
relief device which develops due to the relief flow through
the device when the relief valve opens. The built-up back
pressuredepends on the valve itself but also on the design of
the relief piping. It can reach excessive values in the case of
vary high set pressures and/or poorly designed piping with
too much pressure Loss. The built-up back pressure is
variable.