Heat Exchanger Overpressurisation

[ErimusOilnGas]

Hi, I wanted to get peoples thoughts on potential for a BLEVE like scenario on a bank of heat exchagers.

For a BLEVE we assume we need a level within the 'vessel' and a form of heating most likely a pool fire.
On the heat exchanger bank the most likely cause of pool fire would be through a flange leak.

I am interested to hear peoples thought on the behaviour of the heat exchangers when subjected to a pool fire. I'd like to start this discussion and then i can come back in with further info/ more questions

Site response would most be to shut the train off and look to depresurise, however the depressurisation would be a manual process requiring ops guys to go local to where pool would be.

Other points: There is small bunding around the bank. Tube side at 40 bar design press/ shell 20 bar. Currently no pressure relief , only thermal RV on inlet pipework to bank.


So is it possible for a BLEVE like scenario ?

 

[LittleInch]

I suppose it depends on what your liquid is, but whilst a pool fire in a HX might escalate if the fire weakens then ruptures a tube line or set of tubes, I don't believe it will escalate like a classic BLEVE, which also needs a boiling liquid which is, or is worse when it is, flammable - LPG tanks being the most obvious example.

your de pressurisation needs to be safe to operate in the event of fire, ditto your relief valve should be able to handle a fire case if it is a credible scenario.

sounds line you've got a bit of a non complaint site...

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