The production of certain plastics such as LDPE requires demanding process conditions including pressures up to several thousand bar and temperatures over 572°F. The LDPE process is a highly exothermic reaction which is nearly impossible to control and difficult to stop. Autoclaves, tubular reactors, and process elements require special overpressure protection measures to ensure that the process is safe.

Since rapid pressure relief is required, rupture discs are a common solution to overpressure protection but the challenging environment in these high-pressure/high-temperature applications can cause traditional rupture discs to fatigue over time. The common solution for high-pressure applications is a rupture disc manufactured with a weld seam. This has an influence on the burst pressure of the rupture disc, and, after installation, the applied pressure is nearly fully-loaded on the welding joint. Over time, the weld seam fatigues under pressure and results in an unnecessary rupture disc response which might even take place at a lower pressure than the defined burst pressure.

In comparison, the REMBE HPRD (high pressure rupture disc) has a longer life time than traditional discs since the pressure load applies only on the seat of the disc. By moving the weld seam out of the pressure loaded area of the disc, the burst pressure is defined only by well-controlled parameters such as material thickness and it is not influenced by the strength of the weld seam.  This precise control over the rupture disc response pressure also allows the tightest burst tolerances of +/-3% and lower.

REMBE HPRD is a proven solution under real process conditions, including reactors, autoclaves, and compressors. This long life version for high-pressure applications has a lifetime that is 5-10 times higher than that of a standard rupture disc. That saves money and installation time by eliminating downtime caused by unwanted responses.

REMBE Inc., Charlotte, NC 704-716-7022 www.rembe.us

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