TOTAL CAPABILITIES IN THE PIPELINE INDUSTRY

UTILITY TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Cincinnati Columbus West Jefferson
COMMON NATURAL GAS
ENGINEERING PROBLEMS

OGA SEMINAR
DECEMBER 3, 2012
RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

PURPOSE
RULES
PRESSURE LIMITATIONS
REGULATOR MAXIMUM CAPACITY
RELIEF VALVE CAPACITY
RELIEF VALVE VENT PIPINE SIZING

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

PURPOSE
Protection against accidental over
pressuring of a pipeline

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

192.195 Protection against accidental over pressuring

192.199 Requirements for design of pressure relief and
limiting devices
192.201 Required capacity of pressure relieving and
limiting stations
192.739 Inspection and testing
192.743 Capacity of relief devises.

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

Rules of pressure limitations

MAOP 60psi ..................... MAOP +10%
(or 75% SMYS) which ever is less
MAOP 12psi < 60psi ......... MAOP + 6psi

MAOP < 12psi .................... MAOP + 50%

LP prevent unsafe operation of any

appliance
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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

PRESSURE LIMITATIONS
MAOP+
Allowable over-pressure build-up
MAOP
System Pressure

Normal Operation

MAOP+
Allowable over-pressure build-up
MAOP
System Pressure

Accidental Operation
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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

REGULATOR MAXIMUM CAPACITY

The regulator capacity to be vented is
maximum capacity based on the maximum
inlet pressure (upstream MAOP) and
maximum outlet pressure

Assume that no flow is going into the

downstream system

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

RELIEF VALVE CAPACITY

In sizing relief valves assume that no flow is
going into the downstream system

Relief valves are sized using:

oThe manufacturer's Capacity tables
o The manufacturer's Flow coefficients for relief
valve sizing
oThe manufacturer's Sizing equations

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

RELIEF VALVE CAPACITY

Required pressure buildup from set point

SET POINT

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING GUIDELINES

Inlet piping
Keep it as short as possible
Same size as the relief valve inlet
A full port shut-off valve

Vent piping
Keep it as short as possible
Same size as the relief valve outlet or larger
Double the size if longer than 10 feet or
Use vent line sizing equations
NOTE: If relief valve is located inside a building
o vent to the outside

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Example
Relief Valve Sizing Problem - Annual Verification
Existing system consists of a single regulator and a relief valve. The
system has a volumetric requirement of 2.3 MSCFH. You are
responsible for the annual capacity verification of the relief valve.

Problem 1:
Perform the annual capacity calculation.
1) Is regulator capacity adequate ?
2) Is relief valve capacity adequate ?
3) Correct any discrepancies

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Example
Determine system parameters
a. Upstream MAOP
b. Downstream MAOP
c. Downstream maximum operating pressure
d. Regulator maximum capacity
1) Use the maximum inlet pressure: That is the MAOP
2) Determine the set point of the relief valve
e. Determine the pressure that will produce the set point plus the
allowable maximum pressure build-up
f. Verify relief valve capacity at the stated conditions
g. Compare the maximum capacity of the regulator to the capacity
of the relief valve
h. Verify that the capacity of the relief valve is greater than that of
the regulator.

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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Example
Calculate the maximum capacity of the regulator

Select from the 1 Fisher 627 bulletin the 1/4 orifice flow
coefficient Cg = 50 & C1=29.3

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REGULATOR SIZING
Regulator Capacity Calculation
use the Universal Sizing Equation

Non-Critical (sub sonic) Flow

PInlet
1.814
POutlet
1 3417 P POutlet
Q = Cg PInlet sin Inlet deg
Sg C1 PInlet

Critical (sonic) Flow

PInlet
1.814 Q = 1.291 Cg PInlet
POutlet

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REGULATOR SIZING
Regulator Capacity Calculation
Determine if Pin/ Pout > than 1.814

25 14.48
2.02
5 14.48

Calculate regulator capacity use

Equation: Q = 1.291 Cg PInlet
Q = 1.29 x 50 x 39.48
Q = 2,546.4 Cu Ft/hr

Determine relief valve capacity at 7.5 psig set point

Determine MAOP Plus Allowable build-up =15 + 6
Maximum pressure build up at full relief = 21 psig
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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Relief Valve Capacity Calculation
Determine relief valve capacity using the Fisher 1805
relief valve Figure 3. Capacity Curves
PRESSURE PSIG

FLOW MSCFH
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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Example

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Example

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Example
Compare the capacity of the regulator to the capacity of
the relief valve
Regulator capacity
Q= 2.546 MSCFH

Relief Valve capacity from curves

Q = 5.3 MSCFH

The capacity of the relief valve is greater than that of the

regulator therefore we have adequate capacity for over-
pressure protection of the downstream system

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RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Solution

From the relief valve chart we determine the pressure

build up at the failed regulator capacity is 17.5 psi
The maximum downstream pressure can build up to 21
psig (15 +6)
The17.5 psig pressure build up is less than the 21 psig
allowed
 RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Problem 2:
Relief Valve Sizing Problem - Annual Verification
Existing system consists of a single regulator and a relief valve. The system
has a volumetric requirement of 30 MSCFH. You are responsible for the
annual capacity verification of the relief valve.

What is max pressure at

full relief? __________

45-60 Psig 10-15 Psig

60 MAOP 15 MAOP
1 Mooney Flowgrid

1) Is regulator capacity adequate ?

2) Is relief valve capacity adequate ?
3) Correct any problems and specify any new
equipment that maybe necessary.

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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING (Solution)
Problem 2:
Relief Valve Sizing Problem - Annual Verification
Existing system consists of a single regulator and a relief valve. The system
has a volumetric requirement of 30 MSCFH. You are responsible for the
annual capacity verification of the relief valve.
20 Psig

What is max pressure at

full relief 21 Psig

45-60 Psig 10-15 Psig

60 MAOP 15 MAOP
1 Mooney Flowgrid

1) Is regulator capacity adequate ?

2) Is relief valve capacity adequate ?
3) Correct any problems and specify any new
equipment that maybe necessary.

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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING
System Parameters
Set up system parameters:
Set Point ? Psig
MAOPs
Operating Pressures What is max allowed
Regulator pressure at full relief?
_________

45-60 Psig 10-15 Psig

60 MAOP 15 MAOP

Select from the 1 Mooney Flowgrid

flow coefficient table
Cg = 450 & C1=34

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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING (Solution)
System Parameters
Set up system parameters:
MAOPs
Set Point 20 Psig
Operating Pressures
What is max allowed
Regulator
pressure at full relief?
_________

45-60 Psig 10-15 Psig

60 MAOP 15 MAOP

Select from the 1 Mooney Flowgrid

flow coefficient table
Cg = 450 & C1=34

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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING
Flow Equations
(Determine which equation to use)
Use the Universal Sizing Equation

Non-Critical (sub sonic) Flow

PInlet
1.814
POutlet

1 3417 P POutlet
Q = Cg PInlet sin Inlet deg
Sg C1 PInlet

Critical (sonic) Flow

PInlet Q = 1.291 Cg PInlet
1.814
POutlet
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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING (Solution)
Flow Equations
Use the Universal Sizing Equation
Pin = (60+14.48) = 2.5 > 1.814
Pout = (15+14.48)
Non-Critical (sub sonic) Flow
PInlet
1.814
POutlet

1 3417 P POutlet
Q = Cg PInlet sin Inlet deg
Sg C1 PInlet

Critical (sonic) Flow

USE THIS
PInlet Q = 1.291 Cg PInlet
1.814 EQUATION
POutlet

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 Reference materials (Solution)
1 Mooney FlowGrid Pressure Regulator

2 Mooney FlowGrid Relief Valve

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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING (Solution)
Regulator Capacity Calculation
for relief sizing
Determine if Pin/ Pout > than 1.814
60 14.48
2.5
15 14 .48
Calculate regulator capacity use
Equation:
Q = 1.291 Cg PInlet
Q = 1.29 x 450/1000 x 74.48
Q = 43.2 MSCFH

Determine relief valve capacity of a 2 Mooney Flowgrid

at maximum pressure of 21 psig
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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING (Solution)
Relief valve Capacity Calculation
Determine if Pin/ Pout > than 1.814
20 14 .48
2.38
14 .48
Calculate regulator capacity of a
2 Mooney Relief valve
Equation:
Q = 1.291 Cg PInlet
Q = 1.29 x 1130/1000 x 34.48
Q = 50.3 MSCFH
50.3 MSCFH is the max capacity of the relief valve at 20 psig
set point
Note: The Mooney pilot only requires a pressure build up of
only 0.5 psig above set point for max capacity
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 RELIEF VALVE SIZING (Solution)
Relief Valve Capacity Verification
Compare the capacity of the regulator to the capacity of
the relief valve
Regulator capacity
Q= 43.2 MSCFH

Relief Valve capacity from curves

Q = 50.3 MSCFH

The capacity of the relief valve is greater than that of the

regulator therefore we have adequate capacity for over-
pressure protection of the downstream system

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