Special Focus Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery

E. CASADO, Empresarios Agrupados (EEAA),

Madrid, Spain

Specify the pressure drop of a vent silencer

Industrial facilities, such as refiner- P2 = 1.59(Wo ÷ d2)
(1)
ies and petrochemical plants, have many [P1ve1 ÷ a (a + 1)]0.5
systems and equipment that must relieve ve2 = ve1(P1 ÷ P2) [2 ÷ (a + 1)] (2)
steam or gases through discharge piping
to the atmosphere to avoid overpressure The expansion coefficient (a) is the
and protect the installation. ratio of the specific heat at constant pres-
It is often necessary to add a silencer sure to the specific heat at constant vol-
at the end of the discharge piping to re- ume (Cp /Cv ), and ve1 is the specific vol-
duce discharge noise. In addition to re- ume of the fluid at the valve inlet.
ducing the noise, the silencer provokes a When the fluid is a gas, calculate its
pressure drop that may increase the back- critical pressure at the valve outlet and its
pressure in the discharge line and reduce specific volume by applying Eqs. 3 and 4, FIG. 1. Safety valve with a silencer at the
the flowrate. which derive from literature,2 considering end of the discharge piping.
This article explores how to calculate that the fluid has the sonic velocity.
this pressure drop to specify the silencer to valves), the fluid pressure at the valve out-
maintain the design flowrate. It focuses on P2 = [1.27(Wo ÷ d 2)2 let usually comes from the valve supplier,
(3)
the discharge of a safety valve because it is (ve1 ÷ a) P11 ÷ a]a ÷ (a + 1) and it is unnecessary to apply Eqs. 1 and 3.
the more common case, but it also applies ve2 = ve1(P1 ÷ P2)1 ÷ a (4) The next step is calculating the flow-
to other valve types and vent discharges. rate capacity (W) of the discharge piping.
Use a = 1 for saturated steam and The discharge piping attached to the
Discharge piping capacity without a = 1.17 for reheated steam. These values valve outlet with the diameter D > d and
the silencer. Before specifying the si- derive from literature3 and are the aver- the resistance coefficient K must let pass a
lencer, it is necessary to check that the age values of the intermediate expansion flowrate equal to or greater than Wo.
safety valve can relieve its design flowrate between the isentropic and isenthalpic To calculate the flowrate W that may
(Wo ) through the discharge piping with- expansions of the steam. discharge through the piping, apply Eq. 6
out the silencer, and to determine the For gases, use approximately a = 1.15 taken from literature.2
available margins of pressure. for benzene, N-butane, ethane, propane
W = 1.25YD2[(P2 – PF) ÷ ve2K]0.5 (6)
The valve has a nozzle with a throat and propylene; a = 1.3 for acetylene, am-
diameter (do ) that lets to discharge monia, carbon disulfide, chlorine, eth- To solve this equation, it is necessary
the design flowrate with the valve inlet ylene, methane, natural gas, hydrogen to obtain PF and Y, because D and K are
pressure (P1 ). This inlet pressure corre- sulfide and nitrous oxide; and a = 1.4 for initial selected values, and P2 and ve2 de-
sponds to the valve set pressure plus the air, carbon monoxide, hydrochloric acid, rive from Eqs. 1–4.
accumulation pressure. hydrogen, hydrogen chloride, nitric ox- Enter the figures into FIGS. 2 and 3 with
Assuming there is no silencer, the end ide, nitrogen and oxygen. For other gases, P = P2 and K and obtain PCR , the critical
of the piping discharges the fluid to the consult literature. pressure at the end of the piping, Point F.
atmosphere at Point F, as seen in FIG. 1. For gas/vapor mixtures, use an aver- If PCR > PR , then the pressure at Point
age value in the form here. Assume a mix F is PF = PCR . If PCR is ≤ PR , then PF = PR .
Calculating flowrate. The first step in of two different gases with the flowrates It is convenient that PF = PCR > PR to
calculating the flowrate capacity of the W1 and W2 and the expansion coefficients have some margin of pressure to attach af-
discharge piping without the silencer is a = 1.15 and a = 1.3, respectively. Calcu- ter the silencer with a conservative design.
to calculate the pressure and specific vol- late the average value of a using Eq. 5. If PF = PCR , enter it into FIGS. 4 and 5
ume at the valve outlet. with K at the critical conditions line and
a = (1.15W1 + 1.3W2) ÷ (W1 + W2) (5)
When the fluid is steam, calculate its obtain Y. If PF = PR , then enter with K and
critical pressure at the valve outlet and Follow the same process if the mixture DP ÷ P = (P2 – PF) ÷ P2 to obtain Y.
its specific volume by applying Eqs. 1 has more than two gases or vapors. Finally, apply Eq. 6 to calculate W. If
and 2:1 For other types of valves (e.g., control W ≥ Wo , then the discharge piping is ac-
Hydrocarbon Processing | AUGUST 2019 41
 Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery

ceptable. However, if W < Wo , then the As PB < P2 for critical conditions, the dation from P2 to PB at the valve outlet.
discharge piping is unacceptable, and it pressure PF at the end of the piping with To solve Eq. 7, try the values of PB in the
is necessary to increase D or decrease its Wo will be less than before with W. following iterative way. Select a value PB <
length to reduce K. Eq. 6 now becomes Eq. 7: P2 and calculate veB using Eq. 8. With PB
Although the capacity of the discharge and K, obtain PCR at F in FIGS. 2 and 3, and
Wo = 1.25YD2[(PB – PF) ÷ veB K]0.5 (7)
piping is W > Wo , the flowrate will actu- Y in FIGS. 4 and 5, as mentioned previously.
ally be Wo because the critical pressure at The specific volume veB relates with ve2 PF = PCR if PCR > PR, and PF = PR if PCR ≤ PR.
the nozzle throat of the valve Po fixes it to for steam and gases using Eq. 8: Apply Eq. 7 to obtain the flowrate. If
this value. To accomplish this, the back- veB = ve2(P2 ÷ PB)1 ÷ a (8) this is Wo, then obtaining the values of PB
pressure (PB ) created at the valve outlet and PF are the goal. If not, try other values
by the discharge of the flowrate Wo must Therefore, to adjust the flowrate to Wo , of PB and repeat the process.
be less than P2. assume an instantaneous pressure degra-
Install the silencer. Without the silenc-
80 er, the pressures in the piping discharging
the flowrate Wo are PB at the beginning
K = 1.2
70 and PF at the end. The specific volume of
the fluid at F is veF = veB(PB ÷ PF)1 ÷ a.
2 Specify the silencer for Wo, veF and the
60
following values of DP:
3 • When PF = PCR > PR, install a silencer
50 with DS > D and DPS ≤ PF – PR .
4
• When PF = PR , install a silencer
PCR , kg/cm2

6 with DS > D and DPS < P2 – PB.

40
8 • If, in cases where PB = P2 and PF =
10
PR , there is no pressure margin
30
15 and the installation of the silencer
20
at the end of the piping would
20 40 decrease the flowrate to W < Wo,
80 then it will be necessary to modify
10
100 the discharge line by increasing D
or decreasing its length.
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 Numerical example. Determine the
Initial pressure P, kg/cm2 possibility of installing a silencer at the
FIG. 2. Relation among P, PCR and K for the critical conditions of steam (saturated or reheated)
end of the discharging pipe of a steam
and gases with a = 1.3 flowing through pipes. safety valve, assuming these known data:
• Wo = 100,000 kg/hr of reheated steam
• P1 = 85 kg/cm2
80
• PR = 1.03 kg/cm2 (atmospheric)
• ve1 = 0.0257 m3/kg
70
K = 1.2 • a = 1.17, K = 10, d = 100 mm
and D = 200 mm
60
2 • P2 = 1.59(100,000 ÷ 1002)
[85 × 0.0257 ÷ 1.17 × 2.17]0.5 =
50 4
14.75 kg/cm2
6 • ve2 = 0.0257(85 ÷ 14.75) (2 ÷ 2.17) =
PCR , kg/cm2

40 0.136 m3/kg.
10
Enter these figures into FIG. 2 with P =
15
30 14.75 kg/cm2 and K = 10 to obtain PCR = 3.5
20 kg/cm2. Therefore, PF = PCR = 3.5 kg/cm2.
20
40 Enter the resulting figures into FIG. 4,
with K = 10 in the critical conditions line,
10 100 to obtain:
• Y = 0.705
0 • W = 1.25 × 0.705 × 2002 [(14.75 –
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
Initial pressue P, kg/cm2 3.5) ÷ 0.136 × 10]0.5 = 101,383 kg/hr.
W = Wo will be approximately PB = P2.
FIG. 3. Relation among P, PCR and K for the critical conditions of steam (saturated or reheated) It is possible to install a silencer at Point
and gases with a = 1.4 flowing through pipes.
F with DS > 200 mm for Wo, DPS < 3.5 –
42AUGUST 2019 | HydrocarbonProcessing.com
 Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery

1.00

0.95

0.90

0.85

0.80
Y
0.75
K = 100
40
0.70 10 15 20
6 8
0.65 3 4
2 Critical conditions line
0.60 1.2 1.5

0.55
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
DP/P

FIG. 4. Expansion factor Y for steam (saturated or reheated) and gases with a = 1.3
flowing through pipes.

1.00

0.95

0.90
FIRE-
Y
0.85

0.80
PROOF
0.75
Electric actuators for industrial
0.70 K = 100 valves in areas subject to fire
10 15 20 40
6 8 hazards
0.65
3 4
■ Fully operational at
0.60 2 Critical conditions line
1.2 1.5 temperatures up to 2,012 °F
0.55 for minimum 30 minutes
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
DP/P In the event of a fire, the prime
FIG. 5. Expansion factor Y for flow of gases with a = 1.4 flowing through pipes. objective is to save life first,
followed by minimizing material
LITERATURE CITED damage.
1.03 = 2.47 kg/cm2 and veF = 0.136(14.75
÷ 3.5)1/1.17 = 0.465 m3/kg.
1
Liao, G. S., “Analysis of power plant safety and relief Fire-proof AUMA actuators
valve vent stacks,” Journal of Engineering for Power, function perfectly at the fire
NOMENCLATURE American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME),
a = Expansion coefficient of the fluid October 1975. source and help to minimize fire
do = Throat diameter of the nozzle of the valve, mm
2
Crane Co., “Flow of fluids through valves, fittings and damage.
d = Valve outlet diameter, mm pipe (TP-410),” 1988.
D = Discharge piping diameter, mm
3
Casado, E., “The flow of saturated and reheated
DS = Silencer diameter, mm steam through valves, components and pipes,” Find out more on our
K = Resistance coefficient of the discharge piping Research Gate GmbH, January 2019, online: www. automation solutions
PCR = Critical pressure, kg/cm2 researchgate.net
www.auma.com
P1 = Pressure at the valve inlet, kg/cm2
Po = Pressure at the throat of the nozzle, kg/cm2 EMILIO CASADO is a Supervisor Phone: +1 724-743-2862
P2 = Pressure at the valve outlet, kg/cm2 Engineer for Empresarios mailbox@auma-usa.com
PF = Pressure at the end of the discharge piping, kg/cm2 Agrupados in the area of technical
PR = Atmospheric pressure, kg/cm2 design review of projects. He has
DPS = Silencer pressure drop, kg/cm2 more than 40 yr of experience in
ve = Specific volume of the fluid, m3/kg the design, erection and operation
Wo = Design flowrate of the valve, kg/hr of oil refineries, thermal and nuclear
W = Flowrate capacity of the discharge piping, kg/hr power plants, and thermal solar plants as Mechanical
Y = Expansion factor of the fluid Head Engineer and Uprating Engineering Manager.

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03.07.2019 13:29:39