The minimum discharge area of spring operated relief safety valves in liquid

systems can be calculated as

A = q SG1/2 / (28.14 Kbp Kvisc dp1/2) (1)

where

A = discharge area (Square Inches)

q = relieving capacity (Gallons per Minute)

SG = Specific Gravity

Kbp = capacity correction for back pressure - 1.0 for atmospheric

pressure systems

Kvisc = correction factor due to velocity - 1.0 for most water systems

dp = differential pressure - set pressure (psig) + over pressure (psig) -

back pressure (psig)

Maximum length of relief valve vent lines

can be calculated as

lm = 0.56 (1.1 pr + 14.7)2 di5 / qa2 (1)

where
 lm = maximum length of vent line (feet)

pr = relief pressure (psi)

di = inside diameter (inches)

qa = air flow (lbs./min)

The minimum discharge area of pilot operated relief safety valves in liquid
systems can be calculated as

A = q SG1/2 / (36.81 Kvisc dp1/2) (1)

where

A = discharge area (Square Inches)

q = relieving capacity (Gallons per Minute)

SG = Specific Gravity

Kvisc = correction factor due to velocity - 1.0 for most water systems

dp = differential pressure - set pressure (psig) + over pressure (psig) -

back pressure (psig)

The table below can be use to determine the maximum relief free air capacity
of safety valves:

Maximum Relieving Capacity of Free Air (ft3/min)

Valve Gauge Pressure (psi)

Diameter
(inches) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 500 600 800 1000 1200 1600 2000 2400

1/4 12 20 27 33 38 43 48 53 61 70 84 97 109 128 147 160

3/8 17 27 36 44 51 58 65 72 83 95 115 133 149 176 197 215

1/2 20 32 42 51 59 67 74 111 129 147 177 205 230 270 304 330

3/4 37 59 78 96 112 127 141 176 224 232 242 346 386 423 474 518

1 58 94 124 152 178 202 224 248 286 324 390 450 500 586
1 1/4 84 135 180 221 259 293 325 352 400 443 509

1 1/2 114 186 248 302 354 400 444 478 528 568 634

2 189 306 410 501 592 668 741

2 1/2 282 457 613 750 880 998 1114

3 393 638 856 1050 1230 1398 1557

The relief capacity of a safety valve depends on the

relief discharge area,

compressibility factor of the actual gas,
the temperature of the gas and
the geometry of the safety valve.

A relief valve must be capable of relieving the capacity of the connected

compressor(s) at operating pressure. Note that the relief pressure can not be
set higher than the maximum rated working pressure of any equipment in the
system. If the operating pressure is right below the relief pressure of the valve,
the valve may start leaking.

As a "rule of thumb" it is common to set the relief pressure 10% above the
working pressure of the system.

Flow (lb/hr)

The minimum discharge area of relief safety valves in gas and vapor systems
can be calculated with the equation

A = m T1/2/ (C kd kbp P M1/2) (1)

where

A = minimum discharge area (Square Inches)

m = relieving capacity (Lbs per Hour)

T = absolute temperature (oR = oF + 460)

C = coefficient determined from ratio of specific heats - depends on

the gas - see below

kd = discharge coefficient - 0.975

 kbp = back pressure coefficient - 1.0 for atmospheric discharge
systems

P = relieving pressure (psia) - set pressure (psig) + over pressure

(psig) + atmospheric pressure (14.7 psia)

M = Molecular weight of gas

Coefficient
Gas Molecular Weight
-C-

Acetylene 26.04 342

Air 28.97 356

Ammonia 17.03 347

Argon 39.94 377

Benzene 78.11 329

N-Butane 58.12 335

Iso-Butane 58.12 336

Carbon Dioxide 44.01 346

Carbon
76.13 338
Disulphide

Carbon
28.01 356
Monoxide

Chlorine 70.90 352

Cyclohexane 84.16 325

Ethane 30.07 336

Ethyl Alcohol 46.07 330

 Ethyl Chloride 64.52 336

Ethylene 28.03 341

Helium 4.02 377

N-Heptane 100.2 321

Hexane 86.17 322

Hydrochloric Acid 36.47 357

Hydrogen 2.02 357

Hydrogen
36.47 357
Chloride

Hydrogen
34.08 349
Sulphide

Methane 16.04 348

Methyl Alcohol 32.04 337

Methyl Butane 72.15 325

Methyl Chloride 50.49 337

Natural Gas 19.00 344

Nitric Oxide 30.00 356

Nitrogen 28.02 356

Nitrous Oxide 44.02 348

N-Octane 114.22 321

 Oxygen 32.00 356

N-Pentane 72.15 325

Iso-Pentane 72.15 325

Propane 44.09 330

R-11 137.37 331

R-12 120.92 331

R-22 86.48 335

R-114 170.93 326

R-123 152.93 327

Sulfur Dioxide 64.04 344

Toluene 92.13 326

Flow (SCFM)

The minimum discharge area of relief safety valves in gas and vapor systems
can alternatively be calculated with the equation

A = qs (SG T)1/2/ (1.175 C kd kbp P) (2)

where

A = minimum discharge area (Square Inches)

qs = relieving capacity (Standard cubic feet per minute)

SG = specific gravity of the gas

T = absolute temperature (oR = oF + 460)

C = coefficient determined from ratio of specific heats - depends on

the gas - see below

kd = discharge coefficient - 0.975

kbp = back pressure coefficient - 1.0 for atmospheric discharge
systems

P = relieving pressure (psia) - set pressure (psig) + over pressure

(psig) + atmospheric pressure (14.7 psia)