bursting discs

[samuray]

hi everyone,

does anyone know if there is any official document to justify why the use of bursting discs is avoided?

Note: i know the reasons (from my point of view) but need an official documentation from an engineering instituition let's say...,

 

[AngerB]

Hmm, I can't think of any. If fact, the use of rupture disks is the #1 means of defense against overpressure as an AIB (approved independent backup) system

 

[EGT01]

Samuray,

Maybe it is the way you have worded your question, but what you are asking for is not completely clear. It might be helpful for you to list the reasons that you know why bursting discs are avoided to give us a better idea of what you are looking for.

Bursting discs (or rupture discs) must be used in accordance with the codes to which they apply such as ASME Section VIII, Div 1 and the CE Pressure Equipment Directive. API Recommended Practice 520 Part I supplements the ASME code and also provides guidance on the use of rupture discs.

Beyond that, the reasons to avoid the use of rupture discs would simply be a matter of practical application. The most obvious drawback to using a rupture disc is it being a non-reclosing device. A good on-line resource covering the use of rupture discs can be found here...

http://www.cheresources.com/asiseeit.shtml

Hope this helps.

 

[samuray]

Hi guys thanks,

For a quite a long time bursting the use of bursting discs have been avoided as a pressure relief device for pressure vassels (not for heat exchangers where it is still good practice to do so) mostly in the oil industry.
So the reasons for not using the b. discs in pressure vessels came up, and as you said(EGT01)and i quote "it is a matter of practical application", for example if the discharge is not routed to the atmosphere but to a "closed circuit" it is not good practice to use b. disc alone( not even as a backup to a relief valve as it is used for normally(open for discussion). Now the reason i asked about any documentation refering to the non use of b. discs in the case of p. vassels is that i'm doing some work on b. discs and during a discussion on that matter it was mentioned that API RP 520 makes reference to that but it doesn't and i can't find it also can't find it in the BS EN ISO 4126-2:2003.

sorry for the lack of clarity when a first "worded" the question.

AND' EGT01 THAT'S AN INTERESTING SITE THANKS.

REGARDS

 

[AJerry]

I use bursting discs, but here is a pet peeve of mine. Most of the time when you are using an EPC for a new system they give the job for ordering the discs to the new engineer. He/she uses the data on the U1-A form and orders the bursting discs to the maximum allowable working pressure and temperature for the equipment it is protecting, the problem is the design temperature may not be the same as operating temperature, and the discs will not break at MAWP and operating temperature.
Ensure that operating temperature is taken into account when ordering the bursting discs.

 

[TD2K]

"Ensure that operating temperature is taken into account when ordering the bursting discs."


To avoid any confusion, the operating temperature AJerry refers to is the operating temperature the disc "sees" when the burst pressur is reached. It could be the process temperature, it could be the temperature from heat tracing, it could be ambient temperature if the disc is mounted on piping located away from the process. DO NOT just use the calculated relieving temperature that is used to (correctly) size the PSV. The relieving temperature is not automatically the correct temperature to give the disc manufacturer.