Modeling fluid phase transition effects on dynamic behavior of ESDV

The characteristics method was employed to elucidate the effects of fluid-p hase transition on the dynamic behavior of emergency shutdown valves follow ing full bore rupture (FBR) of long pipelines containing high-pressure hydr ocarbons. The responses of both check valves and ball valves were simulated . The application of the model to the FBR of the Piper-Alpha MCP-OI gas ris er reveals that condensation of the gaseous inventory results in a delay, i n valve activation times, as well as an increase in the amount of inventory released prior to pipeline isolation. However, the magnitude of the pressu re surge brought about from having to bring the high-pressure escaping flui d to rest following emergency isolation was significantly reduced.