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Process Engineer
Simulation, System and Analytical
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Critical - Subcritical
Hi my friend, how are you today? I am sorry, Its been a while my blog has not been updated. I
was very busy this week; therefore I had no time to write a new article. Ok, Let's continue the
discussion about back pressure. Now, by this article I will explain you that the critical and
subcritical condition depend on the back pressure.

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Before I make further explanation, please note, explanation in this article will be limited for gas
vapor phase application only.

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API 520 part 1 provides calculation procedure for sizing of effective area. The procedure is divided to critical and
subcritical condition that depends on the back pressure that exists at outlet PSV. Critical condition is considered
when the back pressure is lower than the critical flow pressure.

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Critical Flow Rate


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How critical condition occurred? If a compressible gas is expanded across a nozzle or orifice, at constant upstream
condition, its velocity increases with the decreasing downstream pressure. The increasing velocity means that the
mass flow rate increases. The flow rate will increase until a limiting value.

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At sonic velocity, the flow rate could never increase anymore even though the downstream pressure is much
lower. This maximum flow rate at sonic velocity is known as critical flow rate.

see this picture.

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Critical Flow Pressure


To avoid confusion, terminology of critical flow pressure is used instead of critical pressure. Critical flow pressure is
defined as an absolute pressure at nozzle exit at critical flow rate. The actual pressure at nozzle exit cannot fall
below the critical flow pressure even though the downstream pressure is much lower
Critical flow pressure can be calculated using the ideal gas relationship.

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Critical - Subcritical
Back Pressure Effect
February (5)
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See above figure. For PSV, pressure at outlet is known as back pressure. Based on the back pressure value, we
can determine whether the condition is critical or subcritical.

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Critical condition is considered if the back pressure is less than the critical flow pressure. In other word, if the
back pressure is greater than the critical flow pressure, it will be considered as subcritical condition.

http://process-eng.blogspot.sg/2011/03/critical-subcritical.html

18/10/2016

Process Engineer: Critical - Subcritical

Page 2 of 4

Most Visited
Critical - Subcritical
Built Up and Superimpossed Back
Pressure
Built Up Back Pressure
Calculation
The orifice calculation procedures both for critical and sub critical condition shall be used
in each
appropriate
PSV
Installation-Guide
condition.
Minimum Flow System
My friend, thats all, I can share to you. Critical and subcritical condition depend on the back pressure. Hopefully,
Accumulation and Overpressure
this topic reminds us that the back pressure is something very important to be considered when we conduct PSV
sizing.
PSV Calculation - Kd,Kc,Kb factor
Basic Depressuring - Why 15
minutes ?

Thank you for your attention.

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Gas Blowby Case


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PSV Sizing

Built Up Back
Pressure
Calculation

Built Up and
Superimpossed
Back Pressure

Back Pressure
Effect

Statistic

PSV Calculation Kd,Kc,Kb factor

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14 comments:
Anonymous Mar 9, 2012, 10:40:00 AM
thank you
Reply

Triyanto SR

Mar 19, 2012, 9:38:00 PM

Thank also for coming in this blog ..


Reply

Anonymous Apr 16, 2012, 8:12:00 AM


In the critical pressure ratio equation above, are those pressures (Pcf and P1) total or static values?
Reply
Replies
Triyanto SR

Apr 19, 2012, 9:54:00 AM

Both Pcf and P1 are static value


Reply

Anonymous Jun 21, 2012, 10:33:00 AM


Thank you, Triyanto! These are great articles. I've read all of them. Very enlightening! Please keep updating
=)
Reply

Newbie Feb 8, 2013, 2:38:00 PM


Guys,sorry im a newbie, I m really confuse about the statement " the increasing velocity means the mass
flow rate is increase ". So do you assume that the density of fluid is constant (but you declare the fluid is

http://process-eng.blogspot.sg/2011/03/critical-subcritical.html

18/10/2016

Process Engineer: Critical - Subcritical

Page 3 of 4

compressible)? I also heard that orifice can share mass flow rate how can it do that ? By accumulating them
so the mass output is different from mass input? We know that mass input always must be the same value
as mass output. Thank yout for your post before and I hope I get some enlightment here...
Reply
Replies
Triyanto SR

Mar 19, 2013, 11:16:00 PM

Triyanto SR

Mar 19, 2013, 11:21:00 PM

HI Newbby,
"The increasing velocity means the mass flowrate is increase"
Sory for making statement like this,,so it make you confuse.
I believe you already know it, that at the same area, the more flowrate is result in the higher
velocity.,I just want to say like that.
My statement above is about velocity and flowrate in the throat nozzle. The amount of mass
flowrate in throat will be depend on the inlet pressure at critical condition and depend on both inlet
and also outlet pressure (=back pressure) at subcritical condition.
You are right, The mass flowrate inlet in the throat nozzle is the same as the outlet.
But the amount of mass flowrate is depend on the pressure condition ( the driving force in this
case is differential pressure). Finally the more flowrate will result higher velocity in the same flow
area.
This is my confirmation.
Hope it help.
Reply

Triyanto SR

Mar 19, 2013, 11:11:00 PM

Reply

Anonymous Jan 2, 2014, 9:07:00 PM


I like the way that you explain things :)
Reply

Anonymous Feb 15, 2015, 2:51:00 PM


can you explain a little more on subcritical condition? what happens when the backpressure exceeds the
critical pressure, say for an existing orifice?
Reply

Anonymous Jun 2, 2015, 6:52:00 PM


Dear Sir,
I have confused on selection of density for pressure drop in downstream pipe line of PSV at preliminary
design stage.can be mixed(vapor & liquid) ??? how can be calcuate? pl,guide me.i used API RP520
method,supposed,what i got releasing flow by this method for my system.can be used this releasing flow for
pressure drop cal.
regards
Dilip
Reply

Nzurumike David E Dec 22, 2015, 1:13:00 AM


Thanks for this Useful Post!!!
I was looking for this kind of post and got here. Thanks for sharing with us.
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http://process-eng.blogspot.sg/2011/03/critical-subcritical.html

18/10/2016

Process Engineer: Critical - Subcritical

Page 4 of 4

Jennifer Lupex Apr 8, 2016, 1:07:00 PM


An astoundingly edifying site. The way you have offer this information is really especially appreciative. Might
want to see more on this subject here. An obligation of appreciation is all together to post this information
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Created by Triyanto Sugeng Riyadi. Template images by enot-poloskun. Powered by Blogger.

http://process-eng.blogspot.sg/2011/03/critical-subcritical.html

18/10/2016

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