Blowout disc replacement cycle
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Hello everyone, is there any regulation specifying how often blast discs need to be replaced? It was manufactured in June 2015 – can it still be used? (Used on pressure vessels)
It generally can no longer be used; the maximum usage period is 3 years. But strictly speaking, it can be used if it has been in use for no more than 3 years; however, you must be able to prove that its usage period does not exceed 3 years. If you purchased it 16 years ago and have kept it in the warehouse ever since, then the equipment manager needs to keep records on a monthly basis, and records also need to be kept at the time of installation to confirm this. Of course, the maximum period is 3 years. If the design period is specified as 6 months or 1 year, then you must not exceed that timeframe either.
TSG ZF003—2011 Safety Technical Inspection Regulations for Blown Film Devices. The replacement cycle for blown films should be determined based on specific factors such as the operating conditions of the equipment and the properties of the medium, as well as the intended service life specified in the design; under normal circumstances, the replacement cycle for blown film devices is 2 to 3 years. The replacement cycle for rupture disc devices used with corrosive, toxic media, or under harsh conditions should be shortened. The rupture disc assembly should be replaced immediately under the following circumstances: (1) Presence of the problems listed in 1–3) of B6.2; (i.e., incorrect installation direction of the rupture disc assembly, incorrect selection of burst pressure and burst temperature; damage and corrosion on the outer surface of the rupture disc, significant deformation, adhesion of foreign objects, leakage, etc.; leakage occurring when the rupture disc assembly is used in series with a safety valve); (2) The device operates at pressures exceeding the minimum burst pressure without the rupture disc breaking; (3) The operating temperature exceeds the range permitted for the material of the rupture disc assembly; (4) The assembly is removed during equipment maintenance; (5) The equipment is put back into use after a long period of inactivity (more than 6 months). Appendix D of GB 567.2-2012, Safety Devices for Shrapnel – Part 2: Application, Selection, and Installation, also provides detailed requirements for evaluating the replacement cycle, allowing for self-assessment
Generally, it’s 2 to 3 years; one still needs to assess the situation. Since yours is already 7 years old, if it hasn’t been used, is well-preserved, and hasn’t suffered from corrosion, it is generally considered usable. If it’s still in use, it’s better to replace it. It’s not very expensive to just replace the rupture disc without changing the clamps’
It’s far beyond **the standard; considering safety risks, it’s best to replace it