This standard deals with the safe design and operation of those systems in hydrocarbon processing units. The oxygen content of material sent to a flare system is of particular concern. If the hydrogen content of the gas being routed to the flare system is unknown, a conservative limit of 5% should be used for the safe oxygen concentration.
This standard deals with the safe design and operation of those systems in hydrocarbon processing units. The oxygen content of material sent to a flare system is of particular concern. If the hydrogen content of the gas being routed to the flare system is unknown, a conservative limit of 5% should be used for the safe oxygen concentration.
This standard deals with the safe design and operation of those systems in hydrocarbon processing units. The oxygen content of material sent to a flare system is of particular concern. If the hydrogen content of the gas being routed to the flare system is unknown, a conservative limit of 5% should be used for the safe oxygen concentration.
This standard deals with the safe design and operation of those systems in hydrocarbon processing units. The oxygen content of material sent to a flare system is of particular concern. If the hydrogen content of the gas being routed to the flare system is unknown, a conservative limit of 5% should be used for the safe oxygen concentration.
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Amoco Petroleum Products Process Safety Standard No, 6
Refining Business Group
Index Codes: Blowdown
Drains and Drainage
Flares
Pressure Relief
Vents and Venting
FLARE, BLOWDOWN, PRESSURE RELIEF, VENT
AND DRAIN SYSTEMS FOR PROCESS UNITS
Philosophy
Refinery units have secondary systems such as flare, blowdown, pressure relief, vent,
and drain systems through which hydrocarbons can potentially depart from the main
process flow. Some systems are used for startup and shutdown, and some for
emergency relief of pressure, Some of these secondary systems are automatic, while
others are manually operated.
This standard deals with the safe design and operation of those systems in hydrocarbon
processing units which are in place to control releases of hydrocarbons or potentially
toxic materials to the environment. In general, release of these materials into closed
systems is preferable. Containment, handling and proper disposal of such materials is
critical to unit and personnel safety
The oxygen content of material sent to a flare system is of particular concern, Past
experience has shown that the presence of pyrophoric iron sulfide can provide an
ignition source if flammable mixtures are permitted to form. If the composition of the
gas being routed to the flare system is known, then Figure 1 should be consulted to
determine the safe oxygen concentration. If the hydrogen content of the gas being
routed to the flare system is unknown, and the flare system serves a hydrogen
processing unit (ie..., an Ultraformer, an Ultrafiner, an Ultracracker, a cat-feed
hydrotreater, a resid hydrotreater, or a hydrogen unit) then a conservative limit of 5%
should be used for the safe oxygen concentration (due to the wide flammable limits of
hydrogen).
Valuable information on flare-system design is contained in the referenced API
publications, Engineering Specification 77D-3, and the R&D memoranda
References
API RP 520--Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Pressure Relieving
Systems in Refineries,
APP 521--Guide for Pressure Relief and Depressuring Systems.
Engineering Specification 54D-7--Piping for Pressure Relief Valves.
Engineering Specification 54D-8--Sizing Pressure Relief Valves for Pressure Vessels,
Engineering Specification 54S-30--Relief Valve Protection by Rupture Disc.
CONFIDENTIAL BPISOM00056811Process Safety Standard No. 6
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Engineering Specification 77D-3--Flare Stack Protection System.
Engineering Specification 99D-1--Drains, Vents, Pumpout and Blowdown Systems.
R&D Memorandum M83-69. D. E. Fritz, "Use of Molecular Seals, Velocity Seals,
and Water Seals to Protect Flare Systems.”
R&D Memorandum M84-87, D. E. Fritz, "Calculating Purge Gas Rate for Flare and
Blowdown Stacks."
R&D Memorandum M82-140. D. E. Fritz. "Flare Purge Gas Rates and Flashback
Protection.”
R.C. Wade, letter to J. L. Carroll, et al. November 16, 1990. "Clarification of Process
Safety Standard No. 6 Regarding Pumpout Rates for Flare Knockout Drums."
R.A. Mancini, letter to S. W. Sorrels, December 27, 1993. "Purging Blowdown
Stacks; Project No, 2233-02-A055."
Memorandum, S. W. Sorrels, May 3, 1994. "Flashback Protection from Activated
Carbon Beds on Process Sewer Vents."
R.A. Mancini, letter to S. W. Sorrels, July 27, 1994, "Minimum Oxygen
Valves for Mixed Streams; Project 2234-A055."
Standards
CONFIDENTIAL
A. Pressure relief directly to the atmosphere
1 When permitted by environmental regulations, releases of gaseous
hydrocarbons to the atmosphere under startup, shutdown, or emergency
circumstances may occur if all of the following pertinent conditions are met
a The release is primarily vapor. Due consideration should be given to the
possibility of liquid entrainment and steps taken to minimize/eliminate it.
b. The discharge will not result in a breathing, toxic, flammable or thermal
hazard.
The temperature of the material being released is below autoignition or
a documented engineering study has been completed which has
evaluated the potential hazards (location, radiation effects, etc.) of a
release of this material. If the autoignition temperature is unknown, use
700° F if the molecular weight of the released material is less than 29
lighter than air) and 500°F if the molecular weight is greater than 29
(heavier than air).
4. The molecular weight is less than 29 (lighter than air) and the exit
velocity in the relief-valve discharge piping is 200 feet/second or more
The molecular weight is 29-80 (heavi
500 feet/second or more.
than air) and the exit velocity is
BPISOM00056812Process Safety Standard No. 6
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Note: The last two steps help minimize the formation of a vapor cloud
that, if ignited, might generate damaging pressure effects. In
those cases where the discharge rate is over 500,000
pounds/hour, evaluate the potential consequences of the blast if
the plume ignites
£ Minimum distances required between the point of discharge and other
facilities are as follows:
i 50 feet or 120 vent-pipe diameters (whichever is greater
horizontally) from fired equipment
ji, 10 feet above the operating platform of the relief valve.
iii 10 feet above or 50 feet or 120 vent-pipe diameters (whichever
is greater horizontally) from all other operating platforms, If
toxic gases are involved, special considerations must be taken,
Care must be taken to insure that the vented hydrocarbons
cannot accumulate under other obstructions in the facility.
* 2. The pressure-relieving device must be self-closing upon return to normal
pressure. Rupture discs are not permitted in lieu of pressure relief valves in
hydrocarbon or chemical systems which relieve directly to the atmosphere
Rupture discs may be used to protect the water side of water/hydrocarbon
exchangers or to protect relief valves which are subject to extreme corrosion or
fouling. Design, installation, and routine monitoring to ensure the integrity of
the rupture discs, must follow engineering specifications (refer to AES 548-30)
and process safety guidelines (refer to PSG No.1 - section E.5.b).
Self-