Rupture Disc Petal Design for Controlled Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rupture discs have a limited discharge section and are prone to petal detachment or damage due to excessive opening, which can lead to incomplete pressure relief and system damage during pressure fluctuations in plant systems.
Innovation Solution
The safety element features laterally delimited petals with frangible lines and weakening lines arranged radially and angularly, optimized for increased flexibility and resistance, using high-frequency laser cutting to maintain material integrity and control the rupture threshold, allowing for a larger discharge section without petal detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the rupture disc uses pre-established frangible lines to define petals for controlled opening, then the rupture threshold pressure can be controlled, but the discharge section remains limited and petals are prone to detachment or damage due to excessive opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining frangible lines and weakening lines before the rupture event. The frangible lines are precisely positioned to control where the disc will rupture at the designated pressure threshold, while weakening lines are pre-positioned to limit the extent of petal opening. This preparatory structuring ensures both controlled rupture threshold and prevented excessive opening that could cause petal detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rupture disc is segmented into multiple petals defined by frangible lines radiating from the center. Each petal is further subdivided by weakening lines that create controlled separation zones. This segmentation allows the disc to open in a controlled manner through individual petal movements rather than uncontrolled fragmentation, maintaining reliability while enabling pressure relief.
2Productivity
If the rupture disc is designed with a larger discharge section to improve pressure relief capacity, then the discharge efficiency increases, but the structural integrity may be compromised and petal damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disc is divided into multiple petals that can open independently through controlled fracture along frangible lines. This segmentation allows the discharge section to expand significantly as petals move apart, while each individual petal maintains its structural integrity through the supporting framework and controlled opening paths defined by the frangible and weakening lines.
Solution Approach 2:
Weakening lines are pre-positioned within each petal structure to guide the opening process and prevent uncontrolled deformation. These preliminary structural modifications ensure that when pressure exceeds the threshold, petals open along predetermined safe paths that maintain structural integrity while achieving the required discharge capacity.
3Reliability
If non-through cuts are used to define frangible lines, then sealing is maintained, but the cuts require precise control of depth, length and width to avoid altering the crystalline structure and modifying the rupture threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting methods with laser technology to define frangible and weakening lines. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical control of cut depth, length, and width, as the laser can precisely control the thermal process to create the desired frangible structure without mechanical contact that could alter the crystalline structure or require tight dimensional tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the material along the frangible lines through controlled laser heating. By adjusting laser parameters (power, speed, pulse duration), the crystalline structure is modified in a controlled manner to create weakened zones with specific mechanical properties, eliminating the need for precise mechanical cut dimensions while maintaining sealing integrity.
4Area of stationary object
If through cuts are used to define frangible lines, then the discharge section can be larger, but a second continuous layer for pneumatic and hydraulic sealing is required, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The use of non-through cuts segments the disc into petals that remain connected at the periphery, maintaining sealing without requiring an additional continuous layer. The petals are separated only to the extent needed for pressure relief, while the uncut peripheral portion maintains the sealing function, achieving large discharge section area through petal separation rather than complete through-cuts.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making complete through-cuts that would maximize discharge area but require additional sealing layers, the patent applies partial action by making non-through cuts that extend only partway through the disc thickness. This partial cutting achieves sufficient discharge capacity through petal opening while maintaining the original sealing integrity of the disc structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances the discharge section size and reduces the risk of petal damage, ensuring effective pressure relief and maintaining structural integrity during pressure fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
The methods with the highest performances for realizing non-through incisions or cuts on rupture discs, without jeopardizing the crystalline structure thereof, comprise the use of high-frequency lasers
Implementation Method 2
when the difference between the pressure acting within the plant system and the external pressure exceeds a pre-calculated safety threshold value, the rupture disc splits open
Implementation Method 3
the rupture disc splits open at the pre-established frangible lines and the petals detach from each other, turning in the direction of the 'relief' or 'discharge' of the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A safety or rupture element, preferably a rupture disc (1) having at least one petal (2") and configured to facilitate the opening of this at least one petal (2") for the purposes of discharging the fluid, so as to increase the passage or discharge section defined by the disc (1) in a discharge configuration and, in any case, prevent detachment of this at least one petal (2").