Buckling (Rupture) Pin valves

[engrom]

I'm looking for some experiential notes on Buckling (Rupture) Pin valves. What are its advantages and disadvantages? Are they reliable mechanism as an alternative to relief valves and rupture discs in oil & gas industry?

 

[Duwe6]

Anything with a "UV" code stamp on it has proven its accuracy and reliability. The Buckling Pin valves are easily reset on-stream after it relieves, but somebody has to go drop the pressure and physically install a new pin into the valve body.

Conventional PRV's reset themselves, thus are MUCH more prevalent.

 

[don1980]

From an application perspective, I regard them very much the same as rupture disks. If you have an application that needs a disk, but you need to ability to put the system back in service without a line-opening or temporary shutdown, then a bucking pin is something to consider.

I've seen them used in vent collection systems, to allow emergency excess pressure from System-A to be diverted to System-B. In applications like that, normal control valves are not sufficently reliable, and relief valves are impractical due to the large size requirement. A common rupture disk would work, but that requires a major outage to re-install a new disk. Bucking pin devices are ideal for this type application because they can be closed and put back in service without any plant interruption.

That's an example of a good fit for a buckling pin device. I'm sure there are others, but I haven't come across one. Personally, I have a huge bias against all non-reclosing devices. They cause more plant problems and hazards (personnel and environmental) than any other type relief device. There are some particular applications where they're needed, but they're few. I'd never use any non-reclosing device in an application in which a PSV was suitable and practical.

 

[rustbuster]

Good points.

We use these devices in lieu of PSV's on our main hydrocarbon system which engage when we have a plant trip. All of our process hydrocarbons go to flare and safely depressure. We have 3 active prd's that would require upwards of 40 large PSV's to get the same capacity.

We had a few issues with them but now find them very reliable.