Pipeline Relief Device Integrity

Optimize Your Relief Device Integrity Program

For pipeline Owner/Operators, adequately designed, installed and maintained pressure relieving systems (and their documentation) should be a critical part of a mechanical integrity program that ensures the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the piping system. Even if specific facilities are not required to comply with OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management, good engineering practice demands that a relief device integrity program be established that documents the relief system design basis, manages changes as they affect the Pressure Relief Device (PRD) installations, and provides an optimized inspection plan for testing and overhauling relief devices. Documentation should include calculations based on generally accepted good engineering practice and industry standards.

Also, in order to facilitate a comprehensive and efficient PRD inspection and testing program, an Owner/Operator may utilize an assessment of risks associated with their pipeline systems’ operation relating to overpressure scenarios.

Equity can address these needs and concerns by providing the following solutions:

Review Owner/Operator relief device integrity program for conformity with latest guidelines and generally accepted good engineering practice (OSHA 1910.119)
Review Owner/Operator pressure relief device standard for current compliance with DOT, ASME and API requirements and/or guidelines
Perform or review calculations based on ASME/API requirements and guidelines, including PRD sizing and installation assessment (inlet/outlet pipe sizing and routing)
Review existing surge analysis or perform new analysis, as required
Develop a database platform (e.g., SharePoint) to collect, store and maintain project data, including a comprehensive record of existing PRDs with sizing and installation information that can be customized to fit management and operational needs. This also enables project management of the program workflow
Perform Relief Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) assessment to determine intervals for servicing each PRD
Provide project management services delivering a complete package of supporting documentation and an RBI inspection plan

Note that if further services related to aging infrastructure are required, Equity has the resources to accomplish the following support tasks for the Pipeline Industry:

Suitability-For-Service (SFS) assessments on vessels, tanks and piping systems that lack adequate documentation
Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments on vessels, tanks and piping including determination of damage mechanisms
Site-wide storage tank audits, including remaining life and inspection plans
Structural assessment for compliance with ASME codes of piping and pipeline systems, when subjected to surge induced forces

Featured Experts

Becky Thomas

Ms. Thomas is responsible for engineering consulting services in the areas of Pressure Relief, Process Safety Management and Process Technology. She is a specialist...

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Becky Thomas

Thomas Ms. Thomas is responsible for engineering consulting services in the areas of Pressure Relief, Process Safety Management and Process Technology. She is a specialist in the design, installation, sizing and selection of pressure relief devices and relieving systems and is currently an active member of the API Pressure Relieving System Subcommittee’s Task Force on RP 520 and RP 521, related to the design and installation of pressure relieving systems. She conducts audits of pressure relieving systems to ensure compliance with OSHA PSM legislation and ASME, API and DIERs Standards, Codes and Publications. She also evaluates pressure relieving systems including scenario development, relief device sizing, collection header design and evaluation, relief device equipment recommendations and documentation.

Ms. Thomas is also proficient in developing Process Safety Management Systems. She is a Certified PHA Facilitator, LOPA Facilitator, and has been involved in the design of Safety Instrumented Systems. Ms. Thomas has provided Process Safety Reviews for grass-roots facilities, project implementation, and cyclic reviews for existing facilities. These reviews involved petro and non-petro chemical plants, refineries, pipelines, and municipalities.

Ms. Thomas has experience as a plant engineer responsible for day-to-day operations and design and management of plant projects, including troubleshooting, problem solving, and technical support for continuous plant improvements. Her responsibilities include leading the design and development of process systems, associated control instrumentation, process calculations, heat and material balances, process flow sheets, Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s), equipment specifications and operating procedures.

Bob Sadowski
P.E.

Mr. Sadowski is responsible for pressure relief device system studies in refinery, chemical plant and pipeline transportation operations...

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Bob Sadowski, P.E.

Mr. Sadowski is responsible for pressure relief device system studies in refinery, chemical plant and pipeline transportation operations. He provides quality assurance/quality control oversight for major refinery relief system documentation projects. He is also involved in heat exchanger vibration and pressure transient analyses as they relate to the tube rupture relieving scenario. In addition, Mr. Sadowski is an instructor for the API University Pressure Relieving Systems classroom course.

Mr. Sadowski is proficient in all types of specialty and petrochemical plant processes and utility systems and has expertise in process hazard analysis, relief and vent systems design including runaway reaction scenarios and process safety management. These areas require an extensive knowledge of ASME Codes, API standards, pressure vessels, piping, relief devices and storage tank codes. He also provides engineering analysis for flare system upset studies.

Mr. Sadowski has experience as a lead process engineer for plants producing petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and food and beverages where his responsibilities included leading the design and development of process systems, associated control instrumentation, process calculations, heat and material balances, process flow sheets, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s), equipment specifications and operating procedures.