Over-Pressure protection is often considered to be simply the provision of a relief valve. Maintenance may maintain and test relief valves but process considerations are equally important in ensuring the integrity of any over-pressure protection system.
The over-protection system should also include the following:
- What scenarios are the relief valves protecting against?
- How much relief capacity is actually required?
- How much spare capacity does the current relief valve have?
- How does potential changes in composition or operating conditions alter the installed capacity?
- Will a particular plant modification compromise the over-pressure protection?
- What is the difference between the certified and actual capacity of a relief valve?
We have experience in addressing all of these issues in both new and old plants. We have produced documentation that not only clarifies the existing situation but provides a firm and clear basis for maintaining this information into the future.