A rupture disc, also known as a pressure safety disc, burst disc, bursting disc, or burst diaphragm, is a non-reclosing pressure relief device that, in most

uses, protects a pressure vessel, equipment or system from overpressurization

or potentially damaging vacuum conditions. A rupture disc is a type of sacrificial

part because it has a one-time-use membrane that fails at a predetermined

differential pressure, either positive or vacuum. The membrane is usually made

out of metal,[1] but nearly any material (or different materials in layers) can be

used to suit a particular application. Rupture discs provide instant response

(within milliseconds) to an increase or decrease in system pressure, but once the

disc has ruptured it will not reseal. Major advantages of the application of rupture

discs compared to using pressure relief valves include leak-tightness and cost.

Rupture discs are commonly used in petrochemical, aerospace, aviation,

defense, medical, railroad, nuclear, chemical, pharmaceutical, food

processing and oil fieldapplications. They can be used as single protection

devices or as a backup device for a conventional safety valve; if the pressure

increases and the safety valve fails to operate (or can't relieve enough pressure

fast enough), the rupture disc will burst. Rupture discs are very often used in

combination with safety relief valves, isolating the valves from the process,

thereby saving on valve maintenance and creating a leak-tight pressure relief

solution.

Some models of gene gun also use a rupture disk, but not as a safety device.

Instead, their function is part of the normal operation of the device, allowing for

precise pressure-based control of particle application to a sample. In these

devices, the rupture disk is designed to fail within an optimal range of gas

pressure that has been empirically associated with successful particle integration

into tissue or cell culture. Different disk strengths can be available for some gene

gun models.

Although commonly manufactured in disc form, the devices also are

manufactured as rectangular panels (rupture panelsor vent panels). Device

sizes range from under 0.25 in (6 mm) to at least 3 ft (0.9 m), depending upon

the industry application. Rupture discs and vent panels are constructed

from carbon steel, stainless steel, hastelloy, graphite, and other materials, as

required by the specific use environment.

Rupture discs are widely accepted throughout industry and specified in most

global pressure equipment design codes (ASME, PED, etc.). Rupture discs can

be used to specifically protect installations against unacceptably high pressures

or can be designed to act as one-time valves or triggering devices to initiate with

high reliability and speed a sequence of actions required.

Contents  [hide] 

1Blowout panel 2See also 3References 4External links 5Further reading

Blowout panel[edit]

Blowout panels, also called blow-off panels, areas with intentionally weakened

structure, are used in enclosures, buildings or vehicles where a sudden

overpressure may occur. By failing in a predictable manner, they channel the

overpressure or pressure wave in the direction where it causes controlled,

directed minimal harm, instead of causing acatastrophic failure of the structure.

Blow-off panels are used in ammunition compartments of some tanks to protect

the crew in case of ammunition explosion, turning a catastrophic kill into

mere firepower kill. An alternative example is a deliberately weakened wall in a

room used to store compressed gas cylinders; in the event of a fire or other

accident, the tremendous energy stored in the (possibly flammable) compressed

gas is directed into a "safe" direction, rather than potentially collapsing the

structure in a similar manner to a thermobaric weapon.

Blowout panels are installed in several modern tanks, including the M1 Abrams,

and have in the past been considered as a possible solution

to magazine explosions on battleships.

In military ammunition storage, blowout panels are included in the design of the

bunkers which house explosives. Such bunkers are designed, typically, with

concrete walls on four sides, and a roof made of a lighter material covered with

earth. In some cases this lighter material is wood, though metal sheeting is also

employed. The design is such that if an explosion or fire in the ammunition

bunker (also called a locker) were to occur, the force of the blast would be

directed vertically, and away from other structures and personnel.