Pressure Relieving Systems
Pressure Relieving Systems based on API RP 520 & 521
Official API 3-Day Course
Earn 2.4 CEUs
Optional 1-Day Equity Engineering Problem Solving Course
See the right sidebar for a list of upcoming training sessions.
Course Description
Take the Pressure Off with API Training
API’s 3-day course provides real-world practical experience involving Pressure Relief Devices (PRD) in petrochemical processing plants. There are classroom exercises that illustrate procedures for determining relief rates and sizing selection and installation of PRDs.
Pressure vessels and other equipment require PRDs to prevent overpressure conditions that may cause serious injuries to personnel, costly mechanical damage and environmental releases. The proper sizing, selection and installation of pressure relieving systems is important to see that adequate overpressure protection is provided and to reduce hazards if a PRD discharges.
Proper documentation of pressure relief systems is required with any type of comprehensive mechanical integrity program. This course covers a broad knowledge of PRDs and practical applications that can help attendees to correctly implement key recommendations for OSHA reviews on Process Safety Management.
Updated Content
Many aspects of this API course have been recently updated. The course content was expanded to include:
- Updated content on 3% inlet pressure drop requirements.
- New procedures for sizing of pressure relief devices in two-phase flashing services.
- New discussion on operating PRDs and the effects of backpressure on valve stability and performance.
- Clarification on effective versus actual orifice areas and coefficients of discharge.
- Updated guidelines on selecting and purchasing rupture disks.
- Explanation of the Cold Differential Test Pressure.
This updated course is based on the latest editions of the following industry standards:
- API 520 Sizing, Selection and Installation of Pressure-Relieving Devices in Refineries
- API 521 Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depressuring Systems
- API 526 Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves
- API 2000 Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks: Nonrefrigerated and Refrigerated
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section I and Section VIII, Div. 1
Course Outline
Official API 3-Day Course
- A. Pressure Relief Valve Design & Operation
- B. Codes & Standards
- C. PRV Sizing & Selection, Including Two Phase Flow
- D. Rupture Disks/Other Devices
- E. Relief Device Installation
- F. Relief Valve Inspection, Testing & Repair
- G. Relief System Design Philosophy
- H. Overpressure Scenarios
- I. Determining Relief Loads for Process Upsets, Including Fire
- J. Overpressure Protection of Piping and Other Equipment
- K. Overpressure Protections of Atmospheric & Low Pressure Storage Tanks
- L. Overpressure Protection of Power Boilers
Some of the special issues that will be covered in the course are:
- Determining required relief loads for distillation towers
- Sizing for two-phase releases
- Appendix M requirements for isolation valves
- ASME BPV VIII-1 UG-140 re-write on instrumentation
- Determining inspection frequency of relief devices
- Documenting PRD design basis to meet OSHA 1910
- Evaluating overpressure scenarios
- Effects of back pressure on relief valves
- Protecting vessels from fire damage
- Evaluating gas breakthrough
- Setting pressure tolerances
In addition, there are class exercises, such as determining relief load from real process equipment.
Optional 1–Day Problem Solving Course
The instructors will guide the students through several example problems identifying credible overpressure scenarios starting at the P&ID level. Sample Heat & Material Balances will be used to help students determine relief loads. PRV sizing and installation concepts will be covered. Finally, results of the calculations will be assembled to demonstrate to the students the importance of good documentation.
Disclaimer
API does not endorse this 1-day course or the software that Equity uses. Students can register for only the API course and are not required to take the 1-day example problem course.
Who Should Attend
- Federal and state regulatory personnel who oversee safety and environmental protection.
- Engineers who design process systems and pressure vessel engineers.
- Process plant equipment and boiler owners/operators.
- Maintenance personnel who inspect and install pressure relief devices.
- Engineers involved in plant turnaround/upgrade projects.
- PRD manufacturer technical sales representatives.
General Information
Please check class times carefully! Class begins at 8:00 and ends at 5:00 daily.
There is a maximum number of students for each course. Registrations, which must include payment, are accepted on first-come, first-served basis.
Attendees requiring a US Visa must register at least 2 months prior to the course to allow enough time to receive a letter of invitation and obtain a Visa.
Refreshments and lunch are provided.
Attendees earn 2.4 CEUs for attending the course and completing an evaluation form.
Registrants receive a workbook containing all slides and presentation handouts.
A calculator is required for problems performed in class.
The fee does not include copies of the API documents.
To Buy API Documents
Contact IHS Global, Inc., the primary distributor of API publications.
Telephone: 303-397-7956
Toll-free Phone: 800-854-7179
Fax: 303-397-2740
Web: www.global.ihs.com
Email: global@ihs.com
Or send email with order information to: publications@api.org
Questions about the Course, Registration, or Special Needs? Contact Equity Engineering at training@equityeng.com.
Private Courses: This course can be held on-site anywhere. Contact training@equityeng.com for details and pricing information.
Cancellations
- Up to 14 days prior to the course, a 25% fee is deducted from your refund.
- 13 to 6 days prior to the course, a 50% fee is deducted.
- Within 5 days of the course, a 75% fee is deducted.
NO REFUNDS FOR NO SHOWS.
However, course attendee substitutions may be made at any time.
API and The Equity Engineering Group, Inc. reserve the right to cancel a course if minimum enrollment is not reached and to modify the agenda and/or faculty when circumstances are beyond our control.
Mr. Henry has 26 years of experience in the areas of heat transfer fluid flow and pressure relieving systems. For 14 years, he provided engineering support to BP oil refineries and chemical plants worldwide.
Mr. Golla was Senior Engineering Associate and Process Safety Manager for the Hoechst Celanese Corp. where he worked for 36 years. He is an expert in instrumentation, rotating and fabricated equipment, safety shutdown systems and relief system applications.
Mr. Sadowski has over 30 years of experience as a lead process engineer for plants producing petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and food and beverages. His responsibilities included leading the design and development of process systems, associated control instrumentation, process calculations, heat and material balances, process flow sheets, (P&ID’s), equipment specifications and operating procedures.
