Rupture disc, safety valve, and relief valve have the same functions. They protect process equipment, ISO tank containers, and machines from overpressure.
They act as protection devices – safety devices.
However, there is one significant difference between the rupture disc and the safety valve and relief valve.
What is the difference?
Rupture disc can be used only for one-time use. Once a pressure build-up is created in a piece of equipment or machine higher than its design pressure, it will burst.
Meanwhile, a safety valve and relief valve will close again after releasing an overpressure.
Facts About What is a Rupture Disc
#1 Fact
Rupture disc can be used as overpressure protection as well as over vacuum protection.
#2 Fact
It is designed to stand up to a certain pressure level before bursts.
#3 Fact
It is free from function failure. The safety valve and relief valve can fail to function against overpressure. But, the rupture disc will not. Due to this benefit, many machine manufacturers – like chiller manufacturers – use it as an overpressure protection device.
#4 Fact
Rupture disc design can be a circle or square, one layer, or more than one layer.
#5 Fact
The common materials used as rupture disc materials are metal, plastic, and graphite.
#6 Fact
It can be installed directly between two flanges or using a rupture disc holder. Or it can be welded directly to its holder.
#7 Fact
If an overpressure happens, gas will flow out from the equipment or machine to the environment. In the case of a vacuum condition, air from the environment will flow into the equipment or machine through the damaged rupture disc.
#8 Fact
Rupture disc diameter can meet with the diameter of flanges or pipes, with nominal size.
#9 Fact
Burst pressure of set pressure is the design pressure of a ruptured disc at which it bursts.
#10 Fact
Burst tolerance is the percentage of tolerance for burst pressure. It means that if a rupture disc has a burst tolerance of 10% and set pressure of 2 bar, so it will burst between 1.8 to 2.2 bar.
#11 fact
Some popular rupture disc manufacturers are Rembe and Donaldson.
#12 Fact
There are several rupture disc types available in the market; sanitary rupture disc, forward acting, reverse acting, ultra low-pressure rupture disc, and double way.
