HOW RUPTURE PIN  WORKS

The Rupture Pin valve relieves pressure at a specific set point with predetermined accuracy and dependability.  This system consists of a piston and seat, restrained from movement by a slender round pin, known as the buckling pin.  The piston and seat exhibit a bubble-tight seal while under pressure.  The pin will buckle at the predetermined set point from an axial force applied by the system pressure acting on the piston.  Each valve is self-contained and self-actuating.  Upon buckling of the pin, the valve is left fully open in a matter of milliseconds.  The pin is external to the protected system and is tightly held in place at both ends.

EULER'S LAW OF COMPRESSED COLUMNS

In applying Euler’s Law of Compressed Columns, the pin's diameter, length, and material can be calculated for each specific application and the set point accurately predicted, every time. Pin dimensions require absolute precision.  The pin diameter is controlled by measuring it to 5 decimal places and the length of the pin is measured to 4 decimal places, ensuring essential quality control and consistent set point repeating.  The modulus of elasticity of the pin material is the only variable due to ambient temperature. This variable can be mitigated by utilizing materials that have a minimal change in modulus of elasticity in the temperature range where the valve will be in service. Because the pin remains compressed, pulsation is not a factor preventing fatigue or premature failure.  Pin corrosion in not a concern because the pin remains external to the system.  The pin is not affected by even the most extreme external environment because it is constructed with corrosive resistant material.

MULTIPLE CAPABILITIES

• There are no limits to valve size or set point.  Rupture Pin valves have been successfully implemented ranging from 1/8^thof an inch to 48 inches in diameter.

•  Pressure set points can be set as low as 2 inches of water column to as high as 100,000 psi. Vacuums can be set as low as 1 psi. 

• Rupture Pin and Buckling Pin valves can be designed to sense system pressure or differential pressure, unlike rupture discs, which can only sense differential pressure. 

• These systems can also be designed to handle corrosive and dangerous fluids and gases with minimal operating expense and no environmental concerns.  This is possible because the systems’ integrity is not compromised during the reset of a Rupture Pin or Buckling Pin Valve.

• Rupture Pin and Buckling Pin Valves can be made of special alloy materials, plastics, or be glass lined to meet your company’s unique needs.

• The valves may also be equipped with a proximity sensor to alert the operator of a valve opening.

• The exterior of a Rupture Pin relief valve can also be a quarter-turn ball or butterfly valve.  Regardless of casing style, all varieties of Rupture Pin valves will adjust to a full open position in only milliseconds.

VALVE CERTIFICATION TESTS

Certification tests are completed on all valves prior to exiting our facility.  ASME standard calls for set point variation of +5%, but rarely deviates over +3% from set point, +1% is common.  After successful valve testing, three pins are tested on the Tinius Olsen machine to determine a load vs time curve for the archives.  This ensures consistency between pin material lots.

Special machines are used to cut the pins to length perpendicular to the pin axis and polish the cut ends. Every pin is tagged with all pertinent information required to match each pin to its corresponding valve. All valves are stamped with a serial on the bonnet and valve label.  New pins may be ordered using only the valve serial number. 

APPLICATIONS

Rupture Pin valves have many uses where a non-resetting pressure relief valve is desired and this technology easily replaces existing rupture disc valves.  The Rupture Pin relief valve will save on time, operational expenses, and eliminate environmental concerns.

The Rupture Pin valve offers an immediate visual indication that a relief action has occurred, eliminating the need to disassemble your system – as is necessary with disc valve technology.  Unlike Rupture Pin Technology, broken disc indicators are unreliable.

This type of valve is easily reset, returning systems to operational in a matter of minutes while eliminating losses due to down-time and added manpower as would occur with rupture disc technology.  Rupture Pin technology also allows systems to operate closer to maximum pressures alleviating the fear of premature failure associated with rupture discs.

Many relief valves have been replaced in various system applications with Rupture Pin technology in order to minimize problems associated with mandatory yearly valve testing requirements.  For example, spring loaded relief valves are known to leak near set pressure point and pilot operated relief valves tend to get clogged, resulting in a false sense of security.  Comparatively, Rupture Pin valves provide a bubble-tight seal until the pin buckles.  Unlike spring loaded relief valves, Rupture Pin relief valves offer full opening port at set point.

Product Offerings

Click the product name for more information

Pressure Relief Valves 

• Model C- ASME

• Model CB 

• Model D

• Model DG

 Pressure Isolation Relief Valves 

• Model A ESV

• Model JA

SUMMARY

• Rupture Pin boasts several features that earn its reputation as first choice for system protection.

• The Rupture Pin valve is proven to be extremely reliable, even when operating near maximum set pressures.

• To date, Rupture Pin valves prove to be the most accurate technology on the market, especially at extreme pressures, low or high.

• The pin is independent of system temperature and corrosion factors.

• It offers flexibility and reliable protection.

• If backpressure exists on a relief system, the Rupture Pin downstream balanced piston resolves that issue.

• The Rupture Pin valve offers substantial savings in operating and maintenance costs by eliminating premature failures, preventing the need to break the integrity of the system to institute a reset, avoiding exposure to environmental concerns, and enabling a quick and easy reset when the pin does require changing. Upon conducting a comparison between Rupture Pin, Rupture Disc, and conventional technology for overall return on investment, Rupture Pin wins on every metric (even with a slightly higher initial cost).  In terms of ease of use and cleanliness, long-term performance, reliability, problem resolution, and cost savings, Rupture Pin valves have proven to provide greater value than any other technology on the market.