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The ASME Pressure Vessel Code permits the use of a rupture disk (bursting disc) device at both a safety
relief valve’s inlet and outlet. This combination of rupture disks (bursting discs) and safety relief valves is
becoming more and more common in oil, chemical, and petrochemical plants.
This valve-disk combination may have previously been considered by some merely as an added
expense. It is now well accepted, however, that isolating a safety relief valve in this manner actually
saves money in the following, five ways:
Valve life is extended by isolating corrosive fluids from internal valve parts.
This bulletin has been published to give you the facts, the applications, and the advantages of using
rupture disks (bursting discs) and safety relief valves in series.
The most important reason for isolating safety relief valves with rupture disks (bursting discs) is to
prevent the process from leaking into the atmosphere. On conventional safety relief valves, API
Standard 526 states that for an orifice size of F and smaller, the maximum allowable leakage rate is 40
bubbles/minute (approximately 6 cu. ft. per 24 hours).
A rupture disk (bursting disc) used at the inlet of a relief valve acts as a solid metal barrier between the
process and the valve.
Not only does the disk prevent air pollution (thereby satisfying EPA regulations), it can save you
money. Leakage that customarily wastes expensive product every hour of every day is stopped with a
rupture disk (bursting disc)/safety relief valve combination.
When a rupture disk (bursting disc) is used to isolate a safety relief valve, the valve can be field tested in
place. With a reverse buckling rupture disk (bursting disc) installed at the valve inlet, the safety relief
valve can be tested on the spot by one man with a portable pressure source.
To accomplish this without removing the valve from the process (i.e., where one has a properly
functioning relief valve), air or an inert gas such as Nitrogen is injected from an outside source into the
chamber between the rupture disk (bursting disc) and the safety relief valve inlet when safe to do so
(typically when the process is not running). Pressure is increased, to a reasonable degree, until a
popping action is heard or the valve simmers.
Of course, one generally should not use air pressure exceeding 110% of the rated pressure marked on
the reverse buckling disk tag.
Safety relief valve life extension is the third major advantage for using a disk/valve combination. The
rupture disk (bursting disc) acts as a solid metal barrier between the valve and the process. The disk
prevents product buildup from adhering to mechanical components of the valve that otherwise could
affect valve performance and the safety of the system. Because the process media will not come in
contact with the internal surfaces and parts of the valve, it will remain in better condition until called
upon to relieve pressure.
Because the valve’s internals are not normally exposed to process contamination, they remain in a
protected condition, allowing longer periods between major overhauls.
The large initial cost of the safety relief valve can be reduced by ordering valves from less expensive
metal and isolating the valve with a rupture disk (bursting disc). For example, if a Hastelloy* valve might
normally be required, use a carbon steel valve with Hastelloy trim, resulting in an average 65%
savings. The savings will more than pay for the rupture disk (bursting disc) plus give advantages 1 thru
4, above.
Operating pressure up to 100% of the disk minimum burst pressure (SigmaTM); all disks may be
used up to 90% of minimum burst pressure.
It has all of the advantages of the S-90TM Rupture Disk (Bursting Disc); and