Pressure‐relief valve selection and transient pressure control

A pressure relief valve (PRV) is installed for surge relief and pressure protection in a pipeline system. The valve, which is normally closed, is designed to open rapidly once its pressure setting is exceeded. A PRV—s effectiveness depends on the properties of the system, the characteristics of the surge experienced, and the way in which the valve—s attributes and settings are configured. This article illustrates the challenges inherent in PRV design and shows that an appropriately designed PRV can protect some systems from excessively high or low pressures and that inappropriate use can actually worsen a system—s transient response. The general principles of PRV use and selection are presented along with a sensitivity analysis of PRV parameters. Although this understanding is essential to effective system design, a PRV is selected by evaluating PRV viability and cost‐effectiveness in specific systems using numerical simulation.