Dynamic Behavior of Transportation Pressure Relief Valves Under Simulated Fire Impingement Conditions

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the first full test series of commercial pressure relief valves using the newly constructed Queen’s University/Transport Canada dynamic valve test facility (VTF) in Maitland, Ontario. This facility is unique among those reported in the literature in its ability to cycle the valves repeatedly and to measure the time-varying flow rates during operation. This dynamic testing provides much more insight into valve behavior than the single-pop or continuous flow tests commonly reported. The facility is additionally unique in its simulation of accident conditions as a means of measuring valve performance. Specimen valves for this series represent 20 each of three manufacturers’ design for a semi-internal 1-in. 312 psi LPG relief valve. The purpose of this paper is to present the procedure and results of these tests. No effort is made to perform in-depth analysis into the causes of the various behaviors, nor is any assessment made of the risk presented by any of the valves. [S0094-9930(00)01201-4]