Wisconsin Legislature: Chapter SPS 341 Appendix C

(i) For some design analyses, both a chart or curve and a formula or tabular data are given. Use of the formula or tabular data may result in answers which are slightly different from the values obtained from the chart or curve. However, the difference, if any, is within practical accuracy and either method is acceptable.

U-3 STANDARDS REFERENCED BY THIS
DIVISION

(a) Throughout this Division references are made to various standards, such as ANSI standards, which cover pressure-temperature rating, dimensional, or procedural standards for pressure vessel parts. These standards, with the year of the acceptable edition, are listed in Table U-3.

(b) Rules for the use of these standards are stated elsewhere in this Division.

U-4 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT6 - See PDF for table

6 Guidance for conversion of units from U.S. Customary to SI is found in Nonmandatory Appendix GG.

Either U.S. Customary, SI, or any local customary units may be used to demonstrate compliance with all requirements of this edition, e.g., materials, design, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing, certification, and overpressure protection.

In general, it is expected that a single system of units shall be used for all aspects of design except where unfeasible or impractical. When components are manufactured at different locations where local customary units are different than those used for the general design, the local units may be used for the design and documentation of that component. Similarly, for proprietary components or those uniquely associated with a system of units different than that used for the general design, the alternate units may be used for the design and documentation of that component.

For any single equation, all variables shall be expressed in a single system of units. When separate equations are provided for U.S. Customary and SI units, those equations must be executed using variables in the units associated with the specific equation. Data expressed in other units shall be converted to U.S. Customary or SI units for use in these equations. The result obtained from execution of these equations may be converted to other units.

Production, measurement and test equipment, drawings, welding procedure specifications, welding procedure and performance qualifications, and other fabrication documents may be in U.S. Customary, SI, or local customary units in accordance with the fabricator's practice. When values shown in calculations and analysis, fabrication documents, or measurement and test equipment are in different units, any conversions necessary for verification of Code compliance and to ensure that dimensional consistency is maintained, shall be in accordance with the following:

(a) Conversion factors shall be accurate to at least four significant figures.

(b) The results of conversions of units shall be expressed to a minimum of three significant figures.

Conversion of units, using the precision specified above shall be performed to assure that dimensional consistency is maintained. Conversion factors between U.S. Customary and SI units may be found in the Nonmandatory Appendix, Guidance for the Use of U.S. Customary and SI Units in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Whenever local customary units are used the Manufacturer shall provide the source of the conversion factors which shall be subject to verification and acceptance by the Authorized Inspector or Certified Individual.

Material that has been manufactured and certified to either the U.S. Customary or SI material specification (e.g., SA-516M) may be used regardless of the unit system used in design. Standard fittings (e.g., flanges, elbows, etc.) that have been certified to either U.S. Customary units or SI units may be used regardless of the units system used in design.

All entries on a Manufacturer's Data Report and data for Code-required nameplate marking shall be in units consistent with the fabrication drawings for the component using U.S. Customary, SI, or local customary units. It is acceptable to show alternate units parenthetically. Users of this Code are cautioned that the receiving jurisdiction should be contacted to ensure the units are acceptable. - See PDF for table

PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

UG-125 GENERAL

(a) All pressure vessels within the Scope of this Division, irrespective of size or pressure, shall be provided with pressure relief devices in accordance with the requirements of UG-125 through UG- 137.

(1) It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that the required pressure relief devices are properly installed prior to initial operation.

(2) It is the responsibility of the user or his/her designated agent to size and select the pressure relief device(s) based on its intended service. Intended service considerations shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(a) normal operating and upset conditions

(b) fluids

(3) These pressure relief devices need not be supplied by the vessel Manufacturer.

(4) Unless otherwise defined in this Division, the definitions relating to pressure relief devices in Section 2 of ASME PTC 25 shall apply.

(b) An unfired steam boiler, as defined in U-1(g), shall be equipped with pressure relief devices required by Section I insofar as they are applicable to the service of the particular installation.

(c) All pressure vessels other than unfired steam boilers shall be protected by a pressure relief device that shall prevent the pressure from rising more than 10% or 3 psi (20 kPa), whichever is greater, above the maximum allowable working pressure except as permitted in (1) and (2) below. (See UG-134 for pressure settings.)

(1) When multiple pressure relief devices are provided and set in accordance with UG-134(a), they shall prevent the pressure from rising more than 16% or 4 psi (30 kPa), whichever is greater, above the maximum allowable working pressure.

(2) When a pressure vessel can be exposed to fire or other unexpected sources of external heat, the pressure relief device(s) shall be capable of preventing the pressure from rising more than 21% above the maximum allowable working pressure. Supplemental pressure relief devices shall be installed to protect against this source of excessive pressure if the pressure relief devices used to satisfy the capacity requirements of UG-125(c) and UG-125(c)(1) have insufficient capacity to provide the required protection. See Nonmandatory Appendix M, para. M-13 for cases where the metal temperature due to fire or other sources of external heat can cause vessel failure prior to reaching the MAWP.

(3) Pressure relief devices, intended primarily for protection against exposure of a pressure vessel to fire or other unexpected sources of external heat installed on vessels having no permanent supply connection and used for storage at ambient temperatures of nonrefrigerated liquefied compressed gases42 are excluded from the requirements of (c)(1) and (c)(2) above, provided: - See PDF for table

42 For the purpose of these rules, gases are considered to be substances having a vapor pressure greater than 40 psia (300 kPa absolute) at 100°F (40°C).

(a) the pressure relief devices are capable of preventing the pressure from rising more than 20% above the maximum allowable working pressure of the vessels;

(b) the set pressure marked on these devices shall not exceed the maximum allowable working pressure of the vessels;

(d) the maximum allowable working pressure of the vessels on which these pressure relief devices are installed is greater than the vapor pressure of the stored liquefied compressed gas at the maximum anticipated temperature43 that the gas will reach under atmospheric conditions; and - See PDF for table

43 Normally this temperature should not be less than 115°F (45°C).

(e) pressure relief valves used to satisfy these provisions also comply with the requirements of UG-129(a)(5), UG-131(c)(2), and UG-134(d)(2).

(d) Pressure relief devices shall be constructed, located, and installed so that they are readily accessible for inspection, replacement, and repair and so that they cannot be readily rendered inoperative (see Appendix M).

(e) Pressure relief valves or nonreclosing pressure relief devices44 may be used to protect against overpressure. Nonreclosing pressure relief devices may be used either alone or, if applicable, in combination with pressure relief valves on vessels. - See PDF for table

44 A pressure relief valve is a pressure relief device which is designed to reclose and prevent the further flow of fluid after normal conditions have been restored. A nonreclosing pressure relief device is a pressure relief device designed to remain open after operation.

Note: Use of nonreclosing pressure relief devices of some types may be advisable on vessels containing substances that may render a pressure relief valve inoperative, where a loss of valuable material by leakage should be avoided, or where contamination of the atmosphere by leakage of noxious fluids must be avoided. The use of rupture disk devices may also be advisable when very rapid rates of pressure rise may be encountered.

(f) Vessels that are to operate completely filled with liquid shall be equipped with pressure relief devices designed for liquid service, unless otherwise protected against overpressure.

(g) The pressure relief devices required in (a) above need not be installed directly on a pressure vessel when either of the following conditions apply:

(1) the source of pressure is external to the vessel and is under such positive control that the pressure in the vessel cannot exceed the maximum allowable working pressure at the operating temperature except as permitted in (c) above (see UG-98), or under the conditions set forth in Appendix M.

(2) there are no intervening stop valves between the vessel and the pressure relief device or devices except as permitted under UG-135(d).

Note: Pressure reducing valves and similar mechanical or electrical control instruments, except for pilot operated pressure relief valves as permitted in UG-126(b), are not considered as sufficiently positive in action to prevent excess pressures from being developed.

(h) Pressure relief valves for steam service shall meet the requirements of UG- 131(b).

UG-126 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES45 - See PDF for table

45 A safety valve is a pressure relief valve actuated by inlet static pressure and characterized by rapid opening or pop action. A relief valve is a pressure relief valve actuated by inlet static pressure which opens in proportion to the increase in pressure over the opening pressure. A safety relief valve is a pressure relief valve characterized by rapid opening or pop action, or by opening in proportion to the increase in pressure over the opening pressure, depending on application. A pilot operated pressure relief valve is a pressure relief valve in which the major relieving device is combined with and is controlled by a self-actuated auxiliary pressure relief valve.

(a) Safety, safety relief, and relief valves shall be of the direct spring loaded type.

(b) Pilot operated pressure relief valves may be used, provided that the pilot is self-actuated and the main valve will open automatically at not over the set pressure and will discharge its full rated capacity if some essential part of the pilot should fail.

(c) The spring in a pressure relief valve shall not be set for any pressure more than 5% above or below that for which the valve is marked, unless the setting is within the spring design range established by the valve Manufacturer or is determined to be acceptable to the Manufacturer. The initial adjustment shall be performed by the Manufacturer, his authorized representative, or an Assembler, and a valve data tag shall be provided that identifies the set pressure capacity and date. The valve shall be sealed with a seal identifying the Manufacturer, his authorized representative, or the Assembler performing the adjustment.

(d) The set pressure tolerances, plus or minus, of pressure relief valves shall not exceed 2 psi (15 kPa) for pressures up to and including 70 psi (500 kPa) and 3% for pressures above 70 psi (500 kPa).

UG-127 NONRECLOSING PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

(a) Rupture Disk Devices46 - See PDF for table

46 A rupture disk device is a nonreclosing pressure relief device actuated by inlet static pressure and designed to function by the bursting of a pressure containing disk. A rupture disk is the pressure containing and pressure sensitive element of a rupture disk device. Rupture disks may be designed in several configurations, such as plain flat, prebulged, or reverse buckling. A rupture disk holder is the structure that encloses and clamps the rupture disk in position.

(1) General. Every rupture disk shall have a marked burst pressure established by rules of UG- 137(d)(3) within a manufacturing design range47 at a specified disk temperature48 and shall be marked with a lot49 number. The burst pressure tolerance at the specified disk temperature shall not exceed ±2 psi (±15 kPa) for marked burst pressure up to and including 40 psi (300 kPa) and ±5% for marked burst pressure above 40 psi (300 kPa). - See PDF for table

47 The manufacturing design range is a range of pressure within which the marked burst pressure must fall to be acceptable for a particular requirement as agreed upon between the rupture disk Manufacturer and the user or his agent. The manufacturing design range must be evaluated in conjunction with the specified burst pressure to ensure that the marked burst pressure of the rupture disk will always be within applicable limits of UG-134. Users are cautioned that certain types of rupture disks have manufacturing ranges that can result in a marked burst pressure greater than the specified burst pressure.

48 The specified disk temperature supplied to the rupture disk Manufacturer shall be the temperature of the disk when the disk is expected to burst.

49 A lot of rupture disks is those disks manufactured of a material at the same time, of the same size, thickness, type, heat, and manufacturing process including heat treatment.

(2) Relieving Capacity. The rated flow capacity of a pressure relief system which uses a rupture disk device as the sole relief device shall be determined by a value calculated under the requirements of (a) using a coefficient of discharge or (b) using flow resistances below.

(a) When the rupture disk device discharges directly to atmosphere and

(1) is installed within eight pipe diameters from the vessel nozzle entry; and

(2) with a length of discharge pipe not greater than five pipe diameters from the rupture disk device; and

(3) the nominal diameters of the inlet and discharge piping are equal to or greater than the stamped NPS designator of the device, the calculated relieving capacity of a pressure relief system shall not exceed a value based on the applicable theoretical flow equation [see UG-131(e)(2) and Appendix 11] for the various media multiplied by a coefficient of discharge K equal to 0.62. The area A in the theoretical flow equation shall be the minimum net flow area50 as specified by the rupture disk device Manufacturer. - See PDF for table

50 The minimum net flow area is the calculated net area after a complete burst of the disk with appropriate allowance for any structural members which may reduce the net flow area through the rupture disk device. The net flow area for sizing purposes shall not exceed the nominal pipe size area of the rupture disk device.

(b) The calculated capacity of any pressure relief system may be determined by analyzing the total system resistance to flow. This analysis shall take into consideration the flow resistance of the rupture disk device, piping and piping components including the exit nozzle on the vessels, elbows, tees, reducers, and valves. The calculation shall be made using accepted engineering practices for determining fluid flow through piping systems. This calculated relieving capacity shall be multiplied by a factor of 0.90 or less to allow for uncertainties inherent with this method. The certified flow resistance51 K R for the rupture disk device, expressed as the velocity head loss, shall be determined in accordance with UG-13 1(k) through (r). - See PDF for table

51 The certified flow resistance KR is a dimensionless factor used to calculate the velocity head loss that results from the presence of a rupture disk device in a pressure relief system.

(3) Application of Rupture Disks

(a) A rupture disk device may be used as the sole pressure relieving device on a vessel.

Note: When rupture disk devices are used, it is recommended that the design pressure of the vessel be sufficiently above the intended operating pressure to provide sufficient margin between operating pressure and rupture disk bursting pressure to prevent premature failure of the rupture disk due to fatigue or creep.

Application of rupture disk devices to liquid service should be carefully evaluated to assure that the design of the rupture disk device and the dynamic energy of the system on which it is installed will result in sufficient opening of the rupture disk.

(b) A rupture disk device may be installed between a pressure relief valves52 and the vessel provided: - See PDF for table

52 Use of a rupture disk device in combination with a pressure relief valve shall be carefully evaluated to ensure that the media being handled and the valve operational characteristics will result in opening of the valve coincident with the bursting of the rupture disk.

(1) the combination of the pressure relief valve and the rupture disk device is ample in capacity to meet the requirements of UG-133(a) and (b);

(2) the marked capacity of a pressure relief valve (nozzle type) when installed with a rupture disk device between the inlet of the valve and the vessel shall be multiplied by a factor of 0.90 of the rated relieving capacity of the valve alone, or alternatively, the capacity of such a combination shall be established in accordance with (3) below;

(3) the capacity of the combination of the rupture disk device and the pressure relief valve may be established in accordance with the appropriate paragraphs of UG-132;

(4) the space between a rupture disk device and a pressure relief valve shall be provided with a pressure gage, a try cock, free vent, or suitable telltale indicator. This arrangement permits detection of disk rupture or leakage.53 - See PDF for table

53 Users are warned that a rupture disk will not burst at its design pressure if back pressure builds up in the space between the disk and the pressure relief valve which will occur should leakage develop in the rupture disk due to corrosion or other cause.

(5) the opening50 provided through the rupture disk, after burst, is sufficient to permit a flow equal to the capacity of the valve [(2) and (3) above], and there is no chance of interference with proper functioning of the valve; but in no case shall this area be less than the area of the inlet of the valve unless the capacity and functioning of the specific combination of rupture disk device and pressure relief valve have been established by test in accordance with UG-132. - See PDF for table

(c) A rupture disk device may be installed on the outlet side54 of a pressure relief valve which is opened by direct action of the pressure in the vessel provided: - See PDF for table

54 This use of a rupture disk device in series with the pressure relief valve is permitted to minimize the loss by leakage through the valve of valuable or of noxious or otherwise hazardous materials, and where a rupture disk alone or disk located on the inlet side of the valve is impracticable, or to prevent corrosive gases from a common discharge line from reaching the valve internals.

(1) the pressure relief valve will not fail to open at its proper pressure setting regardless of any back pressure that can accumulate between the pressure relief valve disk and the rupture disk. The space between the pressure relief valve disk and the rupture disk shall be vented or drained to prevent accumulation of pressure, or suitable means shall be provided to ensure that an accumulation of pressure does not affect the proper operation of the pressure relief valve.55 - See PDF for table

55 Users are warned that many types of pressure relief valves will not open at the set pressure if pressure builds up in the space between the pressure relief valve disk and the rupture disk device. A specially designed pressure relief valve such as a diaphragm valve, pilot operated valve, or a valve equipped with a balancing bellows above the disk may be required.

(2) the pressure relief valve is ample in capacity to meet the requirements of UG-125(c);

(3) the marked burst pressure of the rupture disk at the specified disk temperature plus any pressure in the outlet piping shall not exceed the design pressure of the outlet portion of the pressure relief valve and any pipe or fitting between the valve and the rupture disk device. However, in no case shall the marked burst pressure of the rupture disk at the specified disk temperature plus any pressure in the outlet piping exceed the maximum allowable working pressure of the vessel or the set pressure of the pressure relief valve.

(4) the opening provided through the rupture disk device after breakage is sufficient to permit a flow equal to the rated capacity of the attached pressure relief valve without exceeding the allowable overpressure;