3. 3
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
History
▪ The section I has given birth of the ASME B&PV Code.
▪ On the Mississippi river, on the 5th of March 1865, the boiler of a boat burst.
This caused the death of a few engineers. Beside this, over a thousand
passengers died due to the boat seeking: most of the people at that time
did not know how to swim.
▪ The reasons of the bursting was due to improper engineering, mainly
material selection (same reason for the Titanic event a few years
afterwards).
▪ After this accident other similar in buildings or factories, the best US
engineers have created the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
▪ 1880 : The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code founded.
▪ 1884 : Boiler testing code
▪ 1905 (March 10) : Grover Shoe Factory Disaster (old boiler explosion) in
Brockton, Massachusetts being at the origin of the first boiler laws written in
1908.
▪ 1915 : ASME B&PV Code officially established, being the turning points on civil
life..
Steamboat Sultana disaster (20/05/1865)
Steam power machine
5. 5
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
General Information about HRSGs
▪ The hot gases exiting a gas turbine can be used as a source of thermal energy, producing steam in a Heat
Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). The steam generated in the HRSG can drive a steam turbine coupled with a
power generator, producing additional electrical energy, or it can be used directly to satisfy thermal energy needs.
HRSG principal
8. Typical power boiler
▪ Typical range of spring loaded Pressure Relief Valve
* Note: larger valves decrease the class limit values – thus RR or T orifice at 600# inlet are classified HP
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
SUBCRITICAL SUPERCRITICAL ULTRA SUPERCRITICAL
BOILER MW (up to) 15 100 600 800 > 800
VALVE TYPE LP MP HP
TYPICAL CLASS * 150 – 300 – 600 900 – 1500 2500 – 3000 - 4500
P/T BOILER T (°C) P (bar) T (°C) P (bar) T (°C) P (bar) T (°C) P (bar) T (°C) P (bar)
MIN 100 1 259 45 315 110 374 220 593 220
MAX 538 45 565 110 593 220 593 370 700 370
10. 10
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
Requirements: stamp
▪ PRV stamped symbol according the ASME B&PV Code :
▪ Section I : V
▪ Section VIII : UV
▪ V stands for Vessel (UV stands for Unfired Vessel).
▪ The stamp is not always required (especially in EU) but tends to be more
and more. In North America, it is required by law.
▪ The symbols changed in 2012.
▪ Certification to renew every
▪ 6 years for the product
▪ 3 years for the plant
V stamp
11. Requirements: design
▪ Covers all fired vessels with operating pressure from 15 psig (1.03 barg)
▪ Before 2010: Safety Valves must be spring loaded
▪ Since 2010: Safety Valves can be Pilot operated as well as for steam or water. The terminology change: the code
refers now to Pressure Relief Valves including:
▪ Direct spring-loaded safety valves (steam)
▪ Direct spring-loaded safety relief valves (water)
▪ Pilot-operated pressure relief valves (steam or water)
▪ Requires lifting device to provide a means of verifying whether the PRV is free (no seizing).
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
12. Requirements: design
▪ Deadweight or weighted lever safety valves are not allowed.
▪ No intervening isolation valves (excepted for PAPRV).
▪ Valves greater than 80 mm must be flanged or welded.
▪ Over 10 barg, cast iron is forbidden.
▪ Below 10 barg and valves smaller than 80mm, threaded ends are allowed.
▪ The valve must be bonnet or open yoke (vented spring)
▪ Bronze parts allowed if temperature is less than 208°C (406°F), but not for hot water (over 60°C - 140°F).
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
13. Requirements: performances
▪ Overpressure: 3% of set pressure or 2 psi (0.137 bar)
Valves to discharge at rate capacity at full lift.
▪ Blowdown:
▪ Minimum: 2 psi (0.14 bar) or 2% of SP whichever is greater
▪ Maximum:
▪ SP < 67 psi (4.62 bar): 4 psi (0.28 bar)
▪ 67 psi ≤ SP ≤ 250 psi (17.24 bar): 6% of SP
▪ 250 psi < SP < 375 psi (25.85 bar): 15 psi (1.03 bar)
▪ SP > 375 psi: 4%
▪ Forced flow steam (supercritical) 10%
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
14. Requirements: performances
▪ Flow coefficient
▪ Maximum: Kd 0.975 / K (derated) 0.975 x 0.9 = 0.878
▪ Spring loaded
▪ V series (Starsteam) tested flow coefficient is 0.982, therefore Kd limited to 0.975 (K 0,878).
▪ The main Starsteam competition has 0.975
▪ Pilot operated (economizer)
▪ 76 series (Stareco)
▪ Steam Kd is 0.970 (K 0,873),
▪ Water Kd is 0,944 (K 0,850).
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
15. Requirements: performances
▪ Set pressure
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
Furnace
MAWP
Maximum System Accumulation1.06 X MAWP
Highest Set PRV1.03 X MAWP
Lowest Set Drum Valve
Drum Superheater
Operating Pressure
Pressure
Drop
Lowest Set SHO Valve
PAPRV (PCV)
A
B
Note : A > B
16. Furnace
MAWP
Maximum System Accumulation1.06 X MAWP
Highest Set PRV1.03 X MAWP
Lowest Set Drum Valve
Drum Superheater
Operating Pressure
Pressure
Drop
Lowest Set SHO Valve
PAPRV (PCV)
ASME SECTION I
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
Requirements: performances
▪ Lift
17. Requirements: performances
▪ Blowdown: All drum PRVs must reseat not lower than 96% of the SP of the lowest SP drum PRV.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
Furnace
MAWP
Maximum System Accumulation1.06 X MAWP
Highest Set PRV1.03 X MAWP
Lowest Set Drum Valve
Drum Superheater
Operating Pressure
Pressure
Drop
Lowest Set SHO Valve
PAPRV (PCV)
-7%
-4%
-4%
18. Requirements: configuration of boiler PRVs
▪ Minimum quantities
▪ 2 PRVs on the drum or 1 PRV on the superheater inlet (SHI)
▪ 1 PRV on the superheater outlet (SHO)
▪ 1 PRV on the reheater inlet (RHI) (if any)
▪ 1 PRV on the reheater outlet (RHO) (if any)
▪ 1 PRV on the economizer (if any)
▪ 1 PRV on the sootblower (if any)
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
19. Requirements: configuration of boiler PRVs
▪ Power actuated PRV
▪ This protects the PRV against damage from frequent operation.
▪ The valve may discharge to atmosphere or to a container at lower pressure.
▪ It could be requested on the SHO (depends on end-use location).
▪ It can be joined with an isolation valve to install in between the PAPRV and the boiler.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
20. Requirements: configuration of boiler PRVs
▪ Drum (or SHI) and superheater outlet (SHO) valves are sized as one complete boiler set
▪ Reheater valves are sized separately
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
21. Requirements: configuration of subcritical boiler PRVs
▪ No. of valves
▪ 2 or more valves on the drum if boiler capacity exceeds 4000 lb/hr (1815 kg/hr)
▪ 1 or more valves on SHO , RHI, RHO, Sootblowers (if any existing)
▪ Relieving Capacity
▪ Drum PRV + SHO PRV = Total boiler relieving capacity > 100% of MCR (Maximum Continuous Rating of Boiler)
▪ Drum PRV capacity > 75% of MCR.
▪ RHI PRV + RHO PRV = 100% Total Reheater Relieving Capacity (> Reheater steam flow).
▪ RHO PRV capacity > 15% R/H
▪ Power actuated PRV not less than 10% of MCR.
▪ Economizer valve
▪ Most RFQ come with water capacity
▪ Most boiler OME expects a steam sizing and selection based on the water capacity
▪ Water capacity of the steam based selection to be highlighted
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
22. Requirements: configuration of supercritical boiler PRVs
▪ No. of valves
▪ 2 or more valves on the boiler if its capacity exceeds 4000 lb/hr (1815 kg/hr)
▪ 1 or more valves on SHI, SHO, RHI, RHO, Sootblowers (if any existing)
▪ Relieving Capacity
▪ SHI PRV + SHO PRV + PAPRV = Total boiler relieving capacity > 100% of MCR (Maximum Continuous Rating of Boiler)
▪ 10% MCR < PAPRV capacity < 30% of MCR.
▪ RHI PRV + RHO PRV = 100% Total Reheater Relieving Capacity (> Reheater steam flow).
▪ RHO PRV capacity > 15% R/H
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
23. Requirements: configuration of boiler PRVs
▪ Set pressure tolerance:
▪ ± 2 psi (0.13 bar) up to and including 70 psi (4.82 bar)
▪ ± 3% for SP above 70 psi (4.82) up to and including 300 psi (20.68 bar)
▪ ± 10 psi (0.68 bar) for SP above 300 psi (20.68 bar) up to and including 1000 psi (68.9 bar)
▪ ± 1% for SP above 1000 psi (68.9 bar)
▪ Multiple valves
▪ One set at or below MAWP, balance may be stagger set with the highest being no more than 103% of MAWP
▪ Largest valve cap. must not be more that 50% of smallest valve capacity.
▪ Restricted lift
▪ It is allowed to restricted the lift to adjust the maximum PRV capacity.
▪ The minimum lift is 30% of full rated lift or 2mm.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
24. Requirements: Materials Selection
▪ Body, bonnet/yoke must be ASME BPVC Section II material.
▪ Nozzle, disc and parts contained within structure must meet:
▪ ASME BPVC Section II material
▪ or
▪ ASTM International Specification
▪ Cast iron material for trim construction is not allowed
▪ Manufacturers are allowed to use material of better specification as those above
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
25. Requirements: Applications
▪ Boilers
▪ Drum (subcritical) or SHI (surpercritical)
▪ SHO
▪ RHI & RHO
▪ Economisers
▪ Soot blowers of forced flow steam generators.
▪ Organic fluid vapor generators
▪ High temperature hot water generators
▪ Electrical boilers
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
27. Operating: Overpressure
▪ No chatter.
▪ Full lift shall not exceed 3% of the Set Pressure.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
28. Operating: Blowdown
▪ 0.13 Barg or 2% of the Set Pressure minimum (whichever is smaller)
▪ 0.27 Barg or 4% of the Set Pressure (whichever is greater)
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
32. Operating: Installation
▪ Spring loaded PRV must be mounted with vertical spindle.
▪ Spring loaded PRV must use a spring cover or weatherhood for environmental protection only.
▪ Reminder: No intervening stop valve upstream the PRV.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
33. Operating: Field recalibration
▪ Resetting of spring in field is limited to +/- 5% (unless permitted by the PRV manufacturer).
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
34. Operating: Test criteria
▪ All valves to be tested on steam to demonstrate the popping point and pressure containing integrity.
▪ If the valve is beyond capacity of the boiler test bench, it can be set with alternative test methods:
▪ Higher capacity: restricted lift to demonstrate set pressure.
▪ Higher set pressure: pneumatic (or hydraulic) assist device.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
35. Operating: Test criteria
▪ Leak test:
▪ A seat tightness test shall be conducted at the maximum expected operating pressure but at a pressure not exceeding the
reseating pressure of the valve.
▪ Closed bonnet PRV designed for discharge to a closed system shall be tested with a minimum of 30 psig (200 kPa) of air
or other gas in the secondary pressure zone.
▪ Seat tightness: no sign of leakage shall be considered adequately tight.
ASME BPVC Section I - PRV
Downward
Spring Force
System
Pressure
36. PRV Support SAS
13 rue de l’érable
95540 Méry sur Oise
France
T +33 (0)6 95 21 31 99
www.prv-support.com
contact@prv-support.com
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