What is a Rupture Disk?
A rupture disk is a safety device designed to burst at a specific pressure, releasing pressure from a system before dangerous levels are reached. These devices are critical in industries like chemical processing, oil and gas, and manufacturing where overpressure can cause catastrophic failures.
The Formula
[\text{Burst Pressure} = \text{Operating Pressure} \times \text{Safety Factor}]
Where:
- Burst Pressure is the pressure at which the disk ruptures
- Operating Pressure is the normal system pressure
- Safety Factor is a multiplier (typically 1.2) ensuring adequate margin
Calculation Example
For a system with:
- Operating pressure: 150 Pa
- Safety factor: 1.2
[\text{Burst Pressure} = 150 \times 1.2 = 180 \text{ Pa}]
The rupture disk should be rated to burst at 180 Pa.
Process Summary
| Step | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify operating pressure | 150 Pa |
| 2 | Select safety factor | 1.2 |
| 3 | Calculate burst pressure | 180 Pa |
Safety Considerations
Proper rupture disk selection is critical for system safety. The burst pressure must be:
- High enough to avoid nuisance ruptures during normal operation
- Low enough to protect equipment before damage occurs
- Matched to the system's maximum allowable working pressure