Relief Valve Sizing for Vessels Containing Solids
Relief Valve Sizing for Vessels Containing Solids
(OP)
The thermal expansion calculations for pressure vessels are based on an empty vessel. If the empty vessel is in a fire and the gas stored starts to expand rapidly the relief valve will protect the vessel from damage.
However, what if the vessel is filled with a solid like desiccant in a heatless dryer. The desiccant pellets will occupy some of the internal space and reduce the volume of gas stored in the vessel.
Is there a correction factor that is applied to the relief valve orifice calculation to allow for the reduction in internal volume?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
However, what if the vessel is filled with a solid like desiccant in a heatless dryer. The desiccant pellets will occupy some of the internal space and reduce the volume of gas stored in the vessel.
Is there a correction factor that is applied to the relief valve orifice calculation to allow for the reduction in internal volume?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.





RE: Relief Valve Sizing for Vessels Containing Solids
Patricia Lougheed
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RE: Relief Valve Sizing for Vessels Containing Solids
For your second remark, a properly sized safety valve is rated based on its energy input (BTU/HR, LBM/hr) at a particular set pressure. It is independent of its volume but having said that it is possible that energy input may be proportional to size (volume) of vessel.