Protection of Equipment (End-of-the-Pipe Technology)

Abstract

After explaining in the preceding chapter the control of processes by means of process control engineering equipment, subsequently safety devices are treated. They should become effective if the process control engineering measures should fail. Since processes take place inside enclosures (vessels, pipework etc.) the objective is to avoid the loss of their integrity (loss of containment, LOC). An important reason for such a loss is a pressure which lies above the failure pressure of the enclosure. This can, for example, result from component failures. Frequently increased pressure is accompanied by increased temperature, which lowers the load limits of materials and hence their failure pressure. Further reasons for a loss of integrity of enclosures are fires and explosions which cause pressure and/or temperature increases.