Rupture Disks Types and Accessories

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.