(55bh) Analysis of Chemical Effluent Discharge through the Emergency Relief System Using Steam-Water Properties

A sudden opening of a relief device (typically a relief valve or a rupture disk) during an overpressure event will cause the chemical effluent to accelerate through the emergency relief system (ERS) piping. The rapid change of momentum of the effluent creates transient hydrodynamic loads on the piping. ASME B31 in the United States and European Directive 97/23/EC requires these transient loads to be considered along with other applicable loads (i.e., dead weight, thermal) in system design. Additionally, the pressure distribution along the piping may be of importance, particularly when other vessels are connected to the same ERS. The back pressures generated on these vessels should be evaluated and compared with the vessels’ design pressures as well as any isolation devices. As such, a detailed time history of the effluent pressure and hydrodynamic loads are required to perform a proper evaluation. In this study, a previously published methodology is used for calculating the dynamics of the effluent and the resultant hydrodynamic loads for a typical ERS by using the RELAP5 (Reactor Excursion and Leak Analysis Program) software and assuming steam-water properties for the effluent. Key output parameters, such as pressure drop and hydrodynamic loads, are then compared with established hand calculation methods using the actual effluent properties. The comparisons show where the results compare well and where potential gaps exists. Given the mechanical nature of the hydrodynamic load event, it was found that the use of steam-water properties provides a reasonable representation of the important characteristics of the actual effluent discharge in mechanical design space.