Calculate compressible flow pressure relief valve capacity for isentropic, isothermal, and adiabatic conditions.
For pressure relief valves with no header, the mass flow rate can be calculated for isentropic or isothermal flow. The pressure relief valve is assumed to exit directly to ambient pressure. If the ambient pressure is less than the critical pressure the flow is critical (Mc = 1 for isentropic flow and Mc = √(1/γ) for isothermal flow). If the ambient pressure is greater than the critical nozzle pressure, the flow is sub critical (M < Mc). For isothermal flow the stagnation temperature should be close to or equal to the ambient temperature (for example a gas transmission pipeline). Phase changes are ignored.
For a combined pressure relief valve and pressure relief header, the mass flow rate can be calculated for
- Isentropic nozzle and adiabatic header
- Isentropic nozzle and isothermal header
- Isothermal nozzle and isothermal header
The pressure relief valve is assumed to exit directly into the header. If the header inlet pressure is less than or equal to the nozzle critical pressure the nozzle flow is critical (Mc = 1 for isentropic flow and Mc = √(1/γ) for isothermal flow), and the mass flow rate is restricted by the nozzle. The header inlet pressure is calculated so that the header mass flow rate equals the nozzle mass flow rate. If the header inlet pressure is greater than the critical nozzle pressure, the nozzle flow is sub critical (M < Mc), and the mass flow rate is restricted by the header. The mass flow rate is calculated so that the header inlet pressure is equal to the nozzle pressure. The mass flow rate through the nozzle is always equal to the mass flow rate through the header.
For a pressure relief header, the mass flow rate can be calculated for adiabatic or isothermal flow. If the header is attached directly to the outlet of a pressure relief valve (PRV), the header inlet pressure should be set equal to the PRV nozzle outlet pressure. The header should be sized so that the calculated header mass flowrate is greater than or equal to the PRV mass flowrate. For headers with more than one PRV, the header mass flowrate is divided by the number of PRV's. If the header is oversized, the header inlet pressure will reduce so that the actual header mass flowrate is equal to the nozzle mass flowrate (there is a pressure drop between the PRV outlet and the header inlet).
Note : If the PRV is attached to a small diameter header which feeds into a larger diameter header (possibly with multiple PRVs), the large diameter header should be sized first. The inlet pressure for the large diameter header is used as the ambient pressure for the smaller diameter header (and PRV).
Header pressure losses are calculated from the pressure loss factor (fld = fL/D + K). The Darcy friction factor f is calculated for fully turbulent flow using the rough pipe equation. The header is assumed to be constant diameter. Minor losses can be included by the minor loss K factor, and should include valves and bends etc. The header entry and exit losses should not be included (the fluid dynamic pressure loss is included in the calculation). The discharge coefficient can also be used for minor losses, and as a safety factor. If the ambient pressure is less than the critical header pressure the header exit flow is critical (Mc = 1 for isentropic flow and Mc = √(1/γ) for isothermal flow). If the ambient pressure is greater than the critical header pressure, the header exit flow is sub critical (M < Mc). The header entry flow is assumed to be sub critical for all flow conditions.
The effective PRV valve nozzle orifice diameter and cross section area can be calculated from API letter designation (API 526 type D to T). API effective orifice sizing is used to compensate for the friction pressure losses in the relief valve. The combination of valve and nozzle orifice must be tested with the operating fluid at the design conditions, and certified as having a flow rate greater than or equal to the calculated flow rate for the equivalent size. The API 526 orifice sizing assumes isentropic flow. For certified API 526 valves, the isentropic nozzle calculation option should be used.
Note : The pressure relief header calculation is not suitable for pressure relief vents. Headers are assumed to be part of a PRV system. Vents are constant diameter piping attached to a pipeline or pressure vessel.
Use the Result Plot option to plot pressure, mach number and mass flow rate.
Reference : Fluid Mechanics, Frank M White, McGraw Hill
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