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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.
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.
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Critical - Subcritical
Back Pressure Effect
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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
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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 ?
PSV Sizing
Built Up Back
Pressure
Calculation
Built Up and
Superimpossed
Back Pressure
Back Pressure
Effect
Statistic
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14 comments:
Anonymous Mar 9, 2012, 10:40:00 AM
thank you
Reply
Triyanto SR
http://process-eng.blogspot.sg/2011/03/critical-subcritical.html
18/10/2016
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...
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Triyanto SR
Triyanto SR
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.
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Triyanto SR
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http://process-eng.blogspot.sg/2011/03/critical-subcritical.html
18/10/2016
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