Relief Valves Procedure
Relief Valves Procedure
Relief Valves Procedure
Table of Contents
1 Scope 2
2 Definitions 2
3 References 2
4 Reporting 2
5 Responsibility 2
6 Intervals and test media 4
7 RV Removal and Handling 5
8 RV Testing and Inspection 5
9 Maintenance of RVs Used for Pressure Testing 9
10 Maintenance of Rupture Disks 9
11 In-Place Testing and Inspection 10
12 Quality Assurance Outline 10
13 Records 12
14 Appendix 1(Master RV list
15 Appendix 2 (Test stand Specification)
16 Attachment I (maintenance report form)
1 Scope
This procedure is controlled by inspection section, which defines the requirements for the
Safety Relief Device routine testing, inspection, maintenance, operations, and repair
program in Saudi Aramco lubricating oil company operating facilities. The Program goal
is to improve relieve valve (RV) performance by assuring that safety relief devices will
open at the specified set pressure within the tolerances set by the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code, and remain in good physical condition. This procedure applies to all
safety relief devices (RVs)
2 Definitions
Severe Service: Any service in which corrosion, plugging, sticking or similar problems
are continuous or frequent.
Set Pressure: The inlet gauge pressure at which the pressure relief valve is set to open
under service condition.
Cold Differential Test Pressure (CDTP): The pressure at which a pressure relief valve is
adjusted to open on the test stand. The CDTP includes the corrections for the service
conditions of backpressure or temperatures or both.
Blow down: The difference between the set pressure and the closing pressure of a pressure
relief valve, expressed as a percentage of the set pressure or in pressure unit.
Leak test: increasing the pressure up to 90% of CDTP and observing the discharge side of
the valve for evidence of leakage.
Below test: Pressurizing the external side of the bellows to 26 psig (138 kpa) or 25% of
CDTP whichever is smaller.
3 References
API 576
SAEP-319
4 Reporting
5 Responsibility
5.1.1 Perform the testing and inspection for all RV in the set schedule.
5.1.2 Report the condition of the valve and fill the RV maintenance report form #
RV-001 (see Attachment I).
5.1.3 Maintain adequate stock of spare parts for all RV.
5.1.4 Coordinates with operation for RV Removal or in place testing and obtain
the required work permits.
5.1.5 Enter the test data in Maintenance Department Software and maintain an
updated list of RV. The list should include the RV number, set pressure,
location, service, test media, Inspection interval and due date.
5.1.6 Agree with inspection for any delay on scheduled RV testing & inspection.
5.1.7 Maintaining a complete record of the nameplate data, data sheet, originals of
RV Maintenance report and all relevant data and testing records.
5.1.8 Develop RV quality control manual which should include but not limited to
the following: the master list of all PSV, detailed RV bellow, bonnet and
seat leak test procedure, lapping procedure and calibration procedure for the
test pressure gauges.
5.1.10 Inform inspector of any unusual corrosion, deposits, or conditions are noted
in the RV.
whether the valve can be isolated on stream or not. Moreover, keep and
update if required in place test procedure.
5.2.4 Verify the correct installation of new RV according to approved
modification proposal.
5.2.5 Prepare waiver for overdue PSV's that can not be handed to maintenance for
overhauling.
5.2.6 Conduct a survey in two year basis for all PSV to confirm its existence on
the site as per approved master list.
6 Interval
6.1 The Maximum Test Interval Shall Be 36 Months.
Exceptions:
7.3 Operations shall verify that the RV is isolated from the process when removing a
RV from in-service ACTIVE equipment by checking the following:
7.3.1 Verify block valves are closed and car-sealed (both inlet and outlet
lines/connections).
7.3.2 Verify that the block valves are not passing by unscrewing the vent plug and
slowly crack open the vent block valve. Vent any trapped fluid to a safe
area. A blind flange is required to be installed on all flanged connections
immediately after removing the RV for testing.
7.3.3 Verify bonnet vent lines are bled and isolated.
7.3.4 Verify all pressure has been removed from the points of isolation at inlets
and outlets of RVs. Verify contained liquids have been removed and drained
to a safe location such as oily water sewers.
7.3.5 Verify the equipment is protected by an alternate RV of adequate capacity
on the equipment or connecting equipment, and any intervening block
valves are locked or car sealed open.
7.3.6 Identify the type of work permit that should be used for the job. Control or
specify associated hazards and required protection on the work permit, such
as high pressure, H2S hazard, gas release and nearby sources of ignition.
8 RV Testing and Inspection Practices
8.1 T&I disassembly and testing shall be performed by, or under the supervision of, a
Qualified RV Technician using written Shop Procedures that detail the steps
involved for each type of RV serviced.
8.2 Each RV T&I shall be completely documented and reported by means of the Relief
Valve Maintenance Report,
8.3 RV Manufacturer's nameplate data should be documented in the RV Shop file by
maintaining a facsimile or a complete record of the nameplate data. During the
RV T&I verify that the nameplate is secured to the RV and is not damaged or
painted.
Remember nameplates are often rendered illegible after normal field exposure.
Recording this data is essential.
8.4 Verify that the RV tag/equipment number agrees with the Test Shop files and the
body identification stamp before the testing or repairing begins. If the RV tag is
missing or the RV identification can not be verified, then contact local Engineering
for verification or replacement of the RV.
8.5 Tag and seal the RV when the T&I is complete. The seal shall be applied
immediately upon final setting. The seal shall be a wire lock that must be broken to
alter the pressure setting. Tag should contain the following information: valve no.,
set pressure, date of inspection, CDTP and due date.
8.6 Initial visual inspection shall be conducted prior to testing and/or disassembly to
evaluate the overall condition of the RV. The Technician should look for corrosion,
scale, obstruction, and obvious damage before attempting the "as received" POP
test.
Engineering and Inspection should be contacted immediately if major finding are
found.
8.7 Conduct the "As Received" POP test on an adequately sized Test Stand that causes
a "sharp pop" when testing a gas service RV. A simmer RV action shall not be a
valid test for gas service.
8.8 "As Received" LEAK TEST shall be conducted immediately after the "As
Received" POP test to evaluate the RV seating surface.
8.9 RV shop disassembly shall be required for the following conditions:
8.9.1 Minimally, at the 2nd consecutive RV operating interval.
8.9.2 When a boiler RV fails the shop TEST, the In-place test or after two
operating intervals.
8.9.3 When disassembly is requested by Operations, Engineering or Inspection.
8.9.4 After every T&I if the RV is in severe service having a history of corrosion,
fouling, plugging, sticking or failures that are continuous or frequent.
8.9.5 When a RV fails the "As Received" leak or pop test.
8.9.6 When worn parts, corrosion or damage are observed.
8.9.7 New valves, prior to initial installation, to verify that internal parts meet
specifications and to positively identify materials if not done by the
manufacturer .
8.10 RV disassembly shall include the following:
8.10.1 Correct tools, QA Manual with step by step instructions, manufacturer
instructions and tolerances shall be present before work begins.
8.10.2 Record Critical Dimensions, details of repair, and actual steam valve ring
and collar adjustments into RV Shop files.
8.10.3 Replace all soft goods, such as: Gaskets, O-rings, etc.
8.10.4 Clean all parts to remove all scale and expose bare metal for inspection.
8.10.5 Evaluate parts with critical dimensions and critical surfaces per the RV
manufacturer's specifications. Restore critical dimensions within
manufacturer tolerances, and restore critical surfaces so that they are free
of mechanical and corrosion damage and meet surface finishes as required
by the manufacturer.
8.10.6 Replacement parts shall meet manufacturer's specification. Parts shall not
be fabricated by Saudi Aramco lubricating company unless certified and
complete manufacturer shop drawings, fabrication instructions, and
material specifications are reviewed and approved by the local
Engineering Unit.
8.10.7 Seats and disks shall be restored using a written lapping procedure that
describes lapping compounds, lap rings and lapping machine use and
calibration. As recommended by most manufacturers, surface finish
evaluation techniques that include visual or monochromatic light with
optical flats, should be utilized.
8.10.8 Verify the correct spring is installed. Paint the bonnet green in all bellow
RVs. Paint all other external surfaces and exposed springs with a coating
system, which specifies aluminum color alkyd coating with primer.
Painting is done either in the shop or in the field,. In either case, instruct the
painters not to paint or damage the nameplate or foul external or internal
moving parts.
Down stream and up stream block valves for all RV should be painted
Orange.
8.10.9 Test according to ASME SEC VIII D1 and ensure that the mating spring
washers are not separated from the spring. Replace the spring if the set
pressure cannot be adjusted, the spring coating is deteriorated, or cracks
and/or severe corrosion are visible.
8.10.10 Internals are NOT normally coated. However, a rust inhibitor ,Rust
Proof Compound L, may be applied to internal parts. Rust inhibitors can
become 'sticky', and should only be used where free movement of the relief
valve internals is not impeded.
8.11 Re-assembling the RV after T&I shall include:
8.11.1 Verify that the reconditioned or new parts are correct and that all parts are
included per manufacturer's assembly sketches.
Bolt assemblies together using torque loads, as required by the
manufacturer.
8.11.2 Set the initial position of adjustable parts according to manufacturer's
recommendations.
required when any of the conditions of paragraph 5.8.1 are found unacceptable.
Reconditioning is not permitted.
10.2 An approved procedure, part of the QA Manual, shall be used to inspect rupture
disks and rupture pins, and shall minimally include: Evaluation criteria for both the
rupture disk/pin and disk/pin holder assembly. Handling requirements to ensure the
disk/pin remains in the disk/pin holder assembly, and controlled handling of the
disk/pin. Installation requirements for bolt torque.
- A maintenance RV technician should remove or supervise the removal of a
disk/pin and disk/pin holder assembly to ensure no damage occurs prior to
disk/pin evaluation.
- The Inspection Unit shall evaluate disk/pin condition.
- Operations shall approve removal and installation.
- Inspection shall verify that the inlet and discharge piping is clean.
- Inspection shall verify that the RV number is stamped on the holder.
- Inspection shall verify that a pressure gauge is installed between an in-line RV
and rupture disk installation.
11 In-Place Testing and Inspection
11.1 An In-place RV T&I shall be approved when it is feasible and safe to adjust a RV
on line, and the RV has satisfied the disassembly requirements, as required in
paragraph 8.9. An in-place test should be limited to service conditions that are
clean, sweet, and non-corrosive, such as boilers. In-place testing shall only be
permitted when approved test procedure is available.
All steam safety valves, under the jurisdiction of ASME SEC I, shall be tested in-
place for final set pressure and blow down adjustment. Also, all steam safety
valves shall be tested in-place for final set pressure and blow down whenever
removed from their position for any reason.
Commentary Note:
Care must be exercised to avoid mishandling or improper
transportation. RV's are often subject to mishandling during removal
and/or transportation, which affects their ability to lift-off at the
specified set pressure and their blow down limits.
1. Maintain updated list of RV. The list should include the RV #, set pressure, location,
services, test media. Inspection interval, due date.
2. Write a detailed RV bellow, bonnet and seat leak test procedure. The procedure
should explain how each type of leak test is performed for each type of RV used
within the operating area.
3. any further provisions you consider necessary.
4. Tagging:
1. Describe tagging requirements.
5. Calibration of Measurements and Test Gauges:
1. Write a calibration procedure for the test pressure gauges. Describe how you
schedule gauges and digital instruments for calibration, what the time periods
between calibrations are, and how you verify that no measuring equipment is used
unless it is calibrated.
Include a history log of calibration where all gauges are numbered and tagged
which will make it easy to trace any gauge.
2. The title of the authorized person carrying out the calibrations.
3. Describe calibration stickers/seals that are attached to gauges.
6. Lapping:
1. Recognize that lapping is a specialized function, and provide the necessary
special tools and describe their functions (example: Optical comparators for
checking seat flatness, Measuring Magnifier, Straight Edge).
2. Prepare a more detailed lapping procedure than those shown in the manufacturer's
services manuals, if possible. Describe which type of lapping compounds and
blocks are used when lapping a disk and seat (with or without an angle). Note
any special lapping problems that the Machinist should expect to run into and
how to resolve them.
3. Describe how to make sure that all lapping equipment is inventoried, functional,
clean, and complete. (This may be best achieved by assigning this responsibility
to a RV technician).
13 Records:
3. Maintain updated list of RV. The list should include the RV #, set pressure,
location, services, test media. Inspection interval, due date.
Prepared By:
____________________ ___________________
Abdulrahman Jahlan Abdulhamid Al-Akel
Inspection Supervisor - LRY Inspection Superintendent
concurred by:
_______________________ __________________________
Khalid M. Al-Harbi Shaker Al-Thobaity
Operation Manager - LRJ Operation Manager (A) - LRY
_______________________ __________________________
Ali-Safar Al-Ghamdi Saeed A. Badgaish
Maintenance Manager – LRJ Maintenance Manager - LRY
_______________________ ___________________________
Abdul Rahman Babsail Abdulhamid Al-Akel
Industrial Safety & Security Manager Central Engineering (A)
_________________________ ___________________________
Sameer Khan Jalal Saad
Refinery Manager -LRJ Refinery Manager (A)- LRY
__________________________
Sulaiman Bilaus
VP - Manufacturing
RV MAINTENANCE REPORT
form # RV -001 Attachment I
Type of Valve:
Other Defect: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Replaced Parts:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Recommendation:-
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