API 521 : Pressure Relieving and De-Pressuring Systems

What are the Goals?

By the end of this training course, participants will learn to:

• Understand the importance of pressure relief systems and their key principles
• Select and size appropriate relief devices (e.g. Pressure safety valves)
• Calculate flare header thermal radiation zones & purge rates
• Understand the flare system equipment operations & maintenance
• Understand the zero flare principles

Who is this Training Course for?

This program addresses the needs of a diverse audience with an interest in pressure relieving & flare systems. This training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Process Engineers involved in relief & flare selection and sizing
• Operation Engineers who have oversight responsibility for flare design & operation
• Technical personnel & supervisors involved in supporting relief flare operation

Daily Agenda

Day One: Introduction to Pressure Relief Valve Design & Operation

• Codes & standard
• Overpressure Scenarios
• Causes of over pressure and their relieving rates
• What is pressure safety valve?
• Major components of the pressure safety valve
• Types of pressure safety valve
• Conventional pressure safety valve
• Balanced bellows pressure safety valve

Day Two: Relief System Protection Philosophy

• Role of instruments in relief & flare systems
• Overpressure prevention during maintenance
• Pilot Operated Pressure Safety valve
• PSV selection criteria
• PSV operation problems
• Rupture disks types & operations
• Vent stacks considerations

Day Three: Flare Systems Sizing & Operations

• Function of the flare system
• Flare system configuration & description
• Cold flare Operations
• Exercise - Flare System P&ID read & plan
• Flare system design & selection criteria (Flow, composition, temperature … etc)
• Safety & Environmental regulations for the flare operations
• Flare types classification (Elevated – Ground)
• Steam & Air Assisted Flares
• Sonic flare definition
• Single & Multi Point Flares
• Burn Pits Operation, Selection & Environmental regulations

Day Four: Relief System Process Engineering Calculations

• Line sizing
• PSV Sizing & Calculations
• Thermal radiation & safe zone calculation
• Flare Purge Gas Calculations
• Knock Out drum diameter sizing

Day Five: Relief & Flare Safety Considerations

• Vapor relief & flare system safe operations
• Guidance on vacuum effect
• Flare & HSE regulations
• Venting to atmosphere considerations
• Air Pollution
• Relief & flare systems commissioning & start up hazardous