About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Storage of Rupture Discs
1. Bursting disc products should be stored in their original packaging boxes (or cartons), with the front side facing up. Avoid stacking other items on top of the packaging boxes.
2. To prevent environmental corrosion, the storage room should be kept clean, well-ventilated, and dry. If the storage environment is relatively harsh, please place both the bursting disc and its packaging box together inside a sealed plastic bag for storage.
How to determine the installation direction of a rupture disc
The installation direction of the rupture disc must strictly follow the arrow indicated on the product’s technical documentation or nameplate, ensuring that the discharge direction aligns with the actual pressure-relief path. Here are the specific steps:
1. **Confirm the Arrow Direction**
The nameplate or product’s technical documentation typically features an arrow pointing toward the discharge side. During installation, make sure the rupture disc’s discharge arrow points in the same direction as the pressure relief path of the pipeline or equipment—specifically, the arrow should indicate the direction in which the medium will be released.
2. **Match with the Holder**
When installing the rupture disc into its holder, ensure that the disc’s markings align precisely with those on the holder, and that the discharge direction matches the holder’s designated relief path. For instance, the holder’s outlet direction must correspond to the same as the rupture disc’s discharge arrow.
3. **Install onto Pipeline or Equipment**
After mounting the rupture disc assembly onto the pipeline or equipment, double-check that the assembly’s discharge arrow points in the same direction as the pressure relief path of the pipeline or device. For example, if the pipeline is designed to relieve pressure horizontally to the right, the rupture disc’s discharge arrow should also point horizontally to the right.
**Important Notes:**
Incorrect installation direction may prevent the rupture disc from discharging pressure properly, potentially leading to premature failure or even causing safety hazards.
Before installation, carefully review the product’s technical documentation and nameplate information to confirm the correct orientation.
If you have any doubts about the installation direction, feel free to reach out to us—we have expert technicians ready to assist you with detailed explanations.
How a rupture disc works
A rupture disc is a differential-pressure device. Differential pressure means the pressure on one side of the disc is higher or lower than the pressure on the other side. When properly installed, a rupture-disc assembly acts as an impermeable barrier within a pressurized system—yet when the pressure difference across it reaches a predetermined level, this barrier will rupture or open. A simple way to understand the role of a rupture disc is to think of it as functioning in a pressurized system much like a fuse does in an electrical system. The medium in a pressurized system—whether liquid or gas—can be deliberately designed as the system’s weakest point. As internal pressure builds up, the membrane of the rupture disc gradually weakens because it’s thinner than the container walls, making it inherently more fragile. Eventually, the disc ruptures, relieving the pressure and safeguarding the integrity of the entire system.
Why use rupture discs
Bursting discs are essential for the safety and protection of equipment, facilities, and personnel. All around us, we encounter numerous pressure systems—and in situations where pressure exceeds safe limits, the consequences can be extremely hazardous. The primary purpose of a bursting disc is to safeguard systems while minimizing downtime as much as possible.
Bursting discs are passive devices with no moving parts, yet they deliver a highly effective leak-proof seal. They are remarkably reliable and can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, including those resistant to corrosion. A bursting disc is a time-tested safety solution that’s not only efficient and cost-effective but also acts with lightning speed—typically transitioning from a closed to fully open state in less than three milliseconds.
In contrast to bursting discs, relief valves (also known as safety relief valves) tend to be significantly more expensive. Relief valves are designed to reseat automatically after releasing excess pressure, but they may still experience occasional leaks over time. On the other hand, bursting discs generally maintain a tight seal under normal conditions.
In certain scenarios, however, relief valves may prove to be the better choice—particularly in processes or continuous operations where system downtime for maintenance or replacement isn’t feasible. For instance, when uninterrupted operation is critical, a relief valve might be the preferred option. Meanwhile, disc-type bursting discs can be used in conjunction with relief valves, installed either beneath or ahead of the valve for added protection.
What is a rupture disc?
A rupture disc is a pressure-relief safety device specifically designed to reliably rupture at a precisely defined pressure level. It is intended to protect any pressurized system within an installation—and the personnel and equipment it houses—from unintended or accidental overpressure conditions. In the worst-case scenario, excessive pressure could lead to an explosion. Rupture discs are simple and fail-safe devices. Typically, they are one-time-use components made from metal or graphite, featuring a thin diaphragm engineered to burst (or rupture) at a predetermined pressure. Each disc’s design relies on the tensile properties of its foil material to accurately control the bursting pressure. Discs can be either positively acting or designed for vacuum, reverse buckling applications, and can accommodate both gaseous and liquid services—whether compressible or incompressible. While rupture discs are most commonly manufactured in a circular shape, they are also produced as rectangular venting panels or explosion-proof plates.
How do you determine the bursting pressure of a rupture disc?
■ How to Determine the Design Burst Pressure of a Rupture Disc
From the perspective of safe operation and plant economics, it’s best to keep the set pressure as low as possible. However, from the standpoint of the rupture disc’s service life, it’s advisable to increase the set pressure and widen the gap between the set pressure and the actual operating pressure, thereby extending the disc’s lifespan.
In practice, it’s essential to consider both the difference between the set pressure and the maximum working pressure (in numerical terms) and the manufacturing tolerances and ranges specific to the rupture disc.
■ How to Specify the Exact Set Pressure
If applicable, adhere to relevant laws or regulations.
For details on items governed by the "High-Pressure Gas Safety Act" and the "Pressure Vessel Structure Standards," refer to the dedicated section on the separate page.
If no legal requirements apply, the set pressure of the rupture disc must be determined by the strength of the vessel to which it is connected—but under no circumstances can the rupture disc’s set pressure exceed either the vessel’s allowable pressure or its maximum working pressure. In other words, the upper tolerance limit for the burst pressure must not be surpassed.
How to check the performance of a rupture disc?
The first step in checking the performance of rupture discs is actual manufacturing and testing of the discs.
◆ First, select materials with plate thickness that meet the model specifications, based on experience and calculations.
◆ Each rupture disc model requires precise machining, such as forming an arch, etching grooves into the curved surface, and creating slits at the arch’s entrance—among other processes.
◆ Randomly sample and test a batch of a specified model to verify whether the rupture value of the disc meets the required standards.
◆ If you’re not satisfied with the specifications, we’ll adjust the process by modifying the plate thickness, arch height, and groove depth to produce a product that fully complies with the model requirements.
◆ Once the tested rupture disc reaches the stage where its rupture behavior satisfies the model specifications, we’ll proceed to manufacture both the product intended for routine burst tests and the individual rupture discs themselves.
The number of rupture discs used in routine burst tests depends on the sampling quantity stipulated in Part 1 of GB 567-2012, "Rupture Disc Safety Devices." This same sampling quantity is also identical to the number of type-test samples required under the Technical Supervision Regulations for Special Equipment regarding rupture disc type tests.
Before final shipment, unless otherwise requested by the customer, we conduct rupture tests at room temperature based on equivalent conversion values derived from the intended burst temperature. Alternatively, upon customer request, we can perform rupture tests at a predetermined set temperature as well.
How to choose a flame arrester?
Determine the installation location of the flame arrester:
- **Installed in the pipeline:** Inline flame arrester
- **Installed at the end of pipelines and equipment:** End-of-line flame arrester
Identify the explosion classification of the flammable gases and vapors to be used.
Explosion classifications are categorized as IIA, IIB3, and IIC. However, acetylene and ethylene oxide are specifically designated for use with dedicated flame arresters.
For typical explosion categories of flammable gases and vapors, refer to the combustible materials explosion classification available on a separate page.
If you’re dealing with a mixture of multiple fluids, please contact us for assistance.
Determine whether the situation involves an explosion or simply debris management.
(This applies specifically to inline flame arresters.)
If the installation distance increases, it may become necessary to use a detonation-type flame arrester.
This is determined by the distance from the ignition source to the installation point of the flame arrester (measured in pipe diameter multiples).
Classification varies depending on the explosion category and the type of flame arrester. Please reach out to us for further guidance.
Consider the duration of combustion:
(This applies specifically to end-of-line flame arresters.)
Identify the appropriate burn time for your process—whether it’s instantaneous, short-term, or continuous combustion.
Please note that all inline flame arresters with diameters of 1-1/2" or larger will experience short-duration combustion (using Protego as an example).
Confirm detailed specifications such as bore size, flange standards, and material types.
Review operating conditions, including working pressure and temperature ranges.
The standard maximum allowable working pressure is 110 kPa (absolute), while pressures exceeding this limit require custom specifications.
Standard maximum allowable working temperature is 60°C; temperatures above this threshold also necessitate special customization.
Pressure Drop:
Ensure that the pressure drop across the flame arrester does not exceed the process’s permissible pressure loss.
Overpressure Relief Solutions for All Your Needs
Contact Us
Room 2207-2208, Kaixuanmen Building A, South Tongbai Road, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou City, China.