This article explains in details about the rupture disks along with their types,
advantages and accessories. These are one
of the important devices used for safety.
What are Rupture Disks?
These are the pressure protection devices similar to safety
valves. They protect pipelines and vessels from damages like deformation, etc. The
rupture disks are pressure-relief
devices. These are useful in reducing the downtime of the system. These are
safety devices which are highly reliable in the industries. They have a defined
breaking point required for particular pressures. They come in round, square shapes,
they are layered. They can be domed or flat in design. They protect machines,
people and environment from pressures. Different
applications need different disks depending upon the pressure requirements. Spot weld screens are also used
simultaneously in the similar industries.
Rupture Disks Types
There are 3 types of rupture
disks which are mentioned below:
1.
Forward-acting: these are tension-loaded disks
which enable very high operating pressures. They are further classified depending
upon the disk configuration as Solid
Metal Rupture Disks, Scored Rupture Disks and Composite Rupture Disks.
2.
Reverse-acting: also called as compression
loaded disks, they provide a good service life. They reduce the effects of
corrosion which actually omits the need for
vacuum support. These can operate on pressures up to 90% and a few are designed
to work on 95% as well, depending upon the critical functions required in the
industries.
3.
Graphite: these are Shear loaded disks. These
are machined from the fine graphite bars. These are used in both vapor and liquid service. In the outside
diameter of this disk, a metallic ring is usually added, it is called armoring. They have a random opening pattern. They
are not good for installation on the PRV’s upstream.
Rupture Disks
Accessories
For use along with these
disks, there are different types of accessories available. There are alarm
monitors (for raising an alarm), baffle plates (for protection of the machines
and people from the burst pressures),
heat shields (for reducing the temperatures), etc. that can be used along with
these disks.
Rupture Disks
Advantages
Rupture disks are
fast in response for relieving the pressure spikes. They are simple in design,
hence, fast in action. They are lightweight.
They are used in both liquid and gas handling applications. There is no
maintenance cost for these disks. They provide failsafe performance. The rupture disks are very economical. They
are one of the most necessary safety devices.



