Overpressure Protection Systems

About the course

Overpressure protection is one of the most common topics in process engineering. This course covers pressure relief concepts, relief types, pressure safety valves (PSVs) and the design of relief devices, so participants can apply them in operations and in process design. It follows the Pressure Relief Manual written by Velocis Solutions, and every participant receives a copy.

What you will learn

• Identify relief scenarios and the data needed to size for them
• Choose between conventional, balanced, pilot-operated and other relief valve types
• Calculate required relief rates for external fire, flow from high-pressure sources, thermal expansion and other cases
• Size relief devices for liquid, gas, steam and multiphase service
• Install and isolate relief devices correctly, in line with codes and standards

Syllabus

1. 01

   Introduction to relief

   Relief concepts · Alternatives to relief · Terminology

2. 02

   Relief methods

   Location of reliefs · Relief types and characteristics · Identification of relief scenarios · Data acquisition for relief sizing · Relief systems

3. 03

   Pressure safety valves

   How PSVs work · Conventional, balanced and pilot-operated safety relief valves · Power-actuated and temperature-actuated relief valves · Vacuum relief valves · Blowdown adjustment · Liquid relief valves · Relief device installation and isolation

4. 04

   Calculation of the required relief rate

   External fire · Flow from a high-pressure source · Flow to a low-pressure (vacuum) source · Heat and energy input from associated equipment · Pumps and compressors · Ambient heat transfer · Liquid expansion in pipework

5. 05

   Relief device sizing

   Fluid properties and operating conditions · Sizing for liquid service · Sizing for vapour and gas service · Sizing for steam · Sizing for multiphase fluids

6. 06

   Additional topics

   Vendor comparison · Codes and standards