EVALUATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE PERFORMANCE, PHASE 2 - TWO-PHASE STORAGE STUDY PRELIMINARY RESULTS

In 1994, Transport Canada started a research program into the behaviour of transportation vessel pressure relief valves (PRVs) under single-pop certification conditions (using air) and under repeated cycling conditions (using steam). Results of these test programs are described in detail in a series of earlier TDC reports (TP 12978E, TP 13088E, TP 13259E, and TP 13376E). These tests demonstrated that the pop-action valves tested operated in a variable manner. Valves with similar specifications may have very different pop pressures, blowdowns, and cycling behaviour, depending on the manufacturer and the operating conditions. The following questions were asked: Does this variable behaviour matter? Is there an optimum blowdown or cycling behaviour from the standpoint of safety? This report summarizes the results of a preliminary investigation into the effects of relief valve behaviour (blowdown and flow capacity) on how energy is stored and released from the liquid phase in a pressure vessel. It describes the results from three test series using the custom-designed Queen's University/Transport Canada VTF (valve test facility) constructed on DuPont Canada's Maitland, Ontario, plant site. All three test series used an electro-pneumatic solenoid valve to simulate an actual PRV so that its characteristics could be repeatably controlled. The flow capacity of this valve was varied by fitting one of 10 nozzles to its outlet. Test results indicated that PRV operating characteristics can affect how energy is transferred in and to the liquid phase. This suggests that the PRV operating mode may have a significant impact on the rate of energy storage in a partially liquid-filled pressure vessel subjected to fire exposure.

• Record URL:
  http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdc/summary/13300/13377e.htm
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada

  Transportation Development Centre, 800 Rene-Levesque Boulevard West, Suite 600
  Montreal, Quebec  Canada  H3B 2X1

  Queen's University, Ontario

  Department of Mechanical Engineering
  Kingston, Ontario  Canada  K7L 3N6
• Authors:
  • Pierorazio, A J
  • Birk, A M
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy storage systems; Energy transfer; Flow; Hazardous materials; Liquids; Performance evaluations; Pressure relief valves; Pressure vessels; Safety equipment; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Blowdown; Flow capacity
• Subject Areas: Energy; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00938084
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TP 13377E
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 11 2003 12:00AM