
V. Terminology for Pilot Operated Safety Relief Valves
• Accumulation: The pressure increase over the
maximumallowableworkingpressureofthe
vessel during discharge through the POSRV,
expressed as a percentage of that pressure or in
actual pressure units.
• Backpressure: The pressure on the discharge
side of the POSRV:
– Built-up Backpressure: Pressure that develops
atthevalveoutletasaresultofflow,afterthe
POSRV has been opened.
– Superimposed Backpressure: Pressure in the
discharge header before the POSRV opens.
– Constant Backpressure: Superimposed
backpressurethatisconstantwithtime.
– Variable Backpressure: Superimposed
backpressurethatwillvarywithtime.
• Blowdown: Thedifferencebetweensetpressure
and reseating pressure of the POSRV, expressed
as a percentage of the set pressure or in actual
pressure units.
• Cold Differential Set Pressure: The pressure
atwhichthevalveisadjustedtoopenonthetest
stand. This pressure corrects for backpressure
whenapopactionpilot’sventispipedtothemain
valve outlet.
• Differential Between Operating and Set
Pressures: Valvesinprocessservicewill
generally give best results if the operating
pressure does not exceed 90% of the set
pressure.However,onpumpandcompressor
dischargelines,thedifferentialrequiredbetween
the operating and set pressures may be greater
because of pressure pulsations coming from a
reciprocating piston. The valve should be set as
far above the operating pressure as possible.
• Lift: Theactualtravelofthediscawayfromthe
closedpositionwhenavalveisrelieving.
• Maximum Allowable Working Pressure: The
maximum gauge pressure permissible in a vessel
at a designated temperature. A vessel may not be
operated above this pressure or its equivalent at
any metal temperature other than that used in its
design. Consequently, for that metal temperature,
itisthehighestpressureatwhichtheprimary
pressure POSRV is set to open.
• Operating Pressure: The gauge pressure
towhichthevesselisnormallysubjectedin
service.Asuitablemarginisprovidedbetween
operatingpressureandmaximumallowable
workingpressure.Forassuredsafeoperation,the
operating pressure should be at least 10% under
themaximumallowableworkingpressureor5psig
(0.34barg),whicheverisgreater.
• Overpressure: A pressure increase over the
set pressure of the primary relieving device.
Overpressureissimilartoaccumulationwhenthe
relieving device
issetatthemaximumallowableworkingpressure
of the vessel. Normally, overpressure is expressed
as a percentage of set pressure.
• Pilot Operated Safety Relief Valve (POSRV):
Apressurereliefvalveinwhichthemajorrelieving
deviceiscombinedwith,andiscontrolledby,a
self-actuated auxiliary pressure relief valve.
• Rated Capacity: The percentage of measured
flowatanauthorizedpercentoverpressure
permitted by the applicable code. Rated capacity
is generally expressed in pounds per hour (lb/hr)
or kilograms per hour (kg/hr) for vapors, standard
cubic feet per minute (SCFM) or cubic meters
per minute (m. /min) for gases, and in gallons
per minute (GPM) or Liter per minute (L/min) for
liquids.
• Safety Relief Valve (SRV): An automatic
pressure relieving device used as either a safety
or relief valve, depending upon application. The
SRV is used to protect personnel and equipment
by preventing excessive overpressure.
• Set Pressure: The gauge pressure at the valve
inlet,forwhichthereliefvalvehasbeenadjusted
to open under service conditions. In liquid service,
theinletpressureatwhichthevalvestartsto
discharge determines set pressure. In gas or
vaporservice,theinletpressureatwhichthevalve
pops determines the set pressure.
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