Predictive Pressure Protection for Flare and Relief Valve Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current predictive pressure protection systems for petroleum facilities lack a systematic approach to model dynamic interactions between process equipment and disposal systems, making it difficult to predict the ability of relief systems to handle emergency releases effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that sectionalizes emergency events using hydraulic modeling to simulate flare and relief valve performance, linking the basic process control layer with the passive protection layer, and providing a predictive tool for identifying weaknesses and overcapacity in relief systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dynamic load modeling with actual process equipment changes is performed to predict passive layer performance, then prediction accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the exercise increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous emergency event into discrete time slices or cases, allowing the complex dynamic modeling to be broken down into manageable segments. Each time slice represents a specific state of the process equipment, making the overall prediction task more tractable while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes flare sources, performance limits, and relationships between control valves and relief valves in advance before the emergency event occurs. The hydraulic model is pre-configured with piping isometric drawings and network models, so that when an emergency occurs, the system can quickly evaluate performance without performing all the complex setup work in real-time.
2Device complexity
If the basic process control layer and passive protection layer are treated as independent layers, then system simplicity is maintained, but the ability to predict passive layer performance using process control information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic model as an intermediary system that connects the basic process control layer with the passive protection layer. This model takes information from the active control layer (process equipment changes, valve positions) and translates it into predictions about passive layer performance (flare system capability, relief valve operation), enabling the two independent layers to communicate effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a feedback loop where performance indicators from the passive protection layer are evaluated and can inform adjustments to the basic process control. By monitoring whether the flare system and relief valves can handle the predicted loads, the system can provide feedback to operators or control systems to prevent situations where the passive layer would be overwhelmed.
3Measurement precision
If detailed hydraulic modeling is performed for each time slice of an emergency event, then prediction accuracy is improved, but computational time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent focuses computational resources on evaluating the most critical aspects of the emergency event by dividing it into time slices. Rather than performing exhaustive modeling of every detail continuously, the system performs detailed hydraulic modeling only at key time points or when significant changes occur, balancing accuracy with computational efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for providing a predictive pressure protection system. Flare sources, performance limits, and relationships between control valves and relief valves are established. A flare simulator is generated using piping isometric drawings. An emergency event is monitored, and information for the emergency event is filtered based on a control valve limit breach. Event start and finish time periods are divided into cases representing smaller time frames. Source max loads are determined for each case, and each case is run through the flare simulator. Flare/relief valve performance indicators are determined based on the source max loads after running each case.