>>Flame arrestor on the vent line off a loading arm - what should one take as the flowrate through the arrestor? Is it in any way linked to the loading flow rate? <<
Yep. Exactly.
The API expresses three modes for venting calculations:
1. Inflow/Outflow, where displaced gas is vented or air(or blanketing gas) replaces any change in liquid volume in the tank.
2. Sudden cooling of a tank. Rapid quenching by a thunderstorm on a hot day can chill the atmosphere in a tank so quickly that the tank can can collapse. This is a greater flowrate than pump/drain relief.
3. Fire case. Relief of vapors genetrated by direct contact of flame with the wetted walls of a vessel. The code gives consideration to the level in the vessel, the configuration of the vessel with regard to the area of the tank that can be exposed to fire,insulation, and the properties of the liquid inside.
For a vent-line off a loading arm, only the flowrate would be a valid consideration. 1 gpm in =0.1337 CFM gas vented.