Design Pressure Selection
Design Pressure Selection
(OP)
What is the minimum recommended design pressure for a hydrocarbon vessel which is atmospherically vented?
The vessel operates at < 0.1 barg so I am considering setting design pressure at 1 barg. The vent is to a safe location and has a flame arrestor on it.
Thanks.
The vessel operates at < 0.1 barg so I am considering setting design pressure at 1 barg. The vent is to a safe location and has a flame arrestor on it.
Thanks.





RE: Design Pressure Selection
RE: Design Pressure Selection
If your tank is relieved to the atmosphere by way of a flare or other similar device, a little additional design pressure will help to reduce the size of relief device you require, or to make the relief device more reliable.
There are plenty of atmospheric tanks which contain hydrocarbons and which are designed for hydrostatic head plus a very small positive pressure. There are applicable API standards, which although intended for much larger tanks than what I assume you need, may be used for guidance in selecting a design pressure.
RE: Design Pressure Selection
RE: Design Pressure Selection
If you have a "large" vessel, or more critically, a flat-bottom tank, then fairly small pressures or pressure increases can have major effects on design and pricing, and it would be helpful to have input from the vessel designer as well as looking at vent sizing.