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Setting MDMT Based on Hysys Depressuring Results

Saeid Rahimi
11-June-2011
Introduction
Depressuring of a process system after being maintained in isolated
and pressurized condition for a long time (which is called cold
depressuring) is the basis for determining Minimum Design Metal
Temperature, MDMT. As system pressure reduces during
depressuring, the temperature of system contents (gas or/and liquid)
decreases which causes a differential temperature between process
system and surrounding. Depending on system and surrounding heat
transfer features, a momentary heat flux from surrounding to system
is established which results in different temperature profile for:
Gas
Liquid
Vessels metal in contact with gas
Vessels metal in contact with liquid

The purpose of this note is to specify which one of above
temperatures shall be used as process systems design temperature.
The recommendations of this note are based on data presented in
note Validation of Hysys depressuring utility.

Depressuring Facts
Before discussing about minimum design metal temperature, going
through below paragraph which outlines some facts about
depressuring process may be helpful. Figure 1 Typical trend of system temperatures
1. Those parts of the system which are closer to depressuring valve will reach lower temperature.
2. Those parts of the system which have lower thickness will reach lower temperature. Pipes are usually thinner than
vessels head and vessels head thinner than vessels shell.
3. Temperature of vessels metal in contact with liquid is usually 2 to 5C higher than liquid temperature.
4. Temperature of vessels metal in contact with gas is usually 10 to 50C higher than gas temperature.
5. Piping upstream of depressuring valve reaches gas temperature because of high gas velocity and low piping thickness.
6. Temperature of gas drops much faster than liquid temperature because of lower heat capacity (Cp) of the gas.
7. Temperature of gas substantially drops to very low temperatures at initial stage of depressuring and just before being
heated up by wall and taking ascending course.
8. Temperature of liquid is always descending during depressuring but not as steep as gas in initial depressuring stages.
All above observations have been depicted in Figure 1.
9. In many cases, gas and liquid temperatures approach to the same temperature as depressuring continues for a long
time.
10. An accurate definition of system dimensions and dimension related parameters as discussed in technical note Setting
Hysys Depressuring Input to Get More Accurate Results is crucial because it affects system heat content and heat
transfer features.
11. An accurate definition of system thermodynamic and heat transfer parameters as discussed in technical note Effect
of Different Parameters on Depressuring Calculation Results is also vital as it will change depressuring rate and
fluid/metal temperature as main objectives of this study.

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MDMT
Table 1 specifies how to use Hysys depressuring calculation result for MDMT. As mentioned above, pipe upstream of BDV
reaches gas temperature. Therefore selecting the design temperature and material of this line shall be always done based on
temperature of gas not metal in contact with gas (which is usually much higher than gas temperature).
For vessel, since nozzle is connected to pipe upstream of BDV therefore pipe temperature will be conducted to the vessel
(basically part of vessel which is closer to depressuring nozzle and pipe, for example top head of vertical vessel) through
thermal conduction. In other word, part of vessel also can reach pipe (gas) temperature. Keep in mind that although Hysys
reports single temperature for entire gas node, there will be always a temperature profile along the pipe from BDV to vessel
nozzle and across the vessel. In view of this, vessel should also be designed for gas temperature unless suitable thermal sleeve
or any other type thermal barrier is inserted between vessel nozzle and the pipe flange so that vessel can be treated as separate
node. In this case, since gas inside the vessel is almost stagnant, then the vessel body (metal) temperature will be function of
heat transfer rate to surrounding which is well predicted by Hysys. Therefore min metal temperature reported by Hysys can be
used as MDMT.

Table 1- MDMT of different systems (Note 1)
System Description
MDMT for Pipe
upstream of BDV
MDMT for Vessel
Gas filled
Min. gas
temperature
Min. gas temperature if there is no thermal sleeve between BDV
inlet pipe and vessel otherwise
Min. metal temperature in contact with gas if there is thermal sleeve
Gas filled with
condensation
Min. gas
temperature
Min. gas temperature if there is no thermal sleeve between BDV inlet
pipe and vessel
Min. metal temperature in contact with liquid if there is thermal
sleeve (Note 2)
Two phase
Min. gas
temperature
Min. gas temperature if there is no thermal sleeve between BDV inlet
pipe and vessel
Min. metal temperature in contact with liquid if there is thermal
sleeve (Note 2)

Note
1) Appropriate margin (if needed) can be considered for setting MDMT based on above temperatures.
2) Some people have used liquid temperature because draining of remaining liquid inside the vessel after depressuring may not
be possible immediately due to operation or design constraints.

Conclusion
From mechanical design point of view, MDMT can be coincident with design pressure if system re-pressurization is allowed or
envisaged when it is at MDMT. If it is not possible or practical to design the system for MDMT and design pressure, preparing
a procedure for system safe re-pressurization, like re-pressurization in stages with a warm gas supply to avoid exceeding the
allowable stress of the vessel is recommended (subject to Client approval).
The second scenario is that system re-pressurization when system is at MDMT is not credible so MDMT will be coincident
with design pressure.

From metallurgy point of view, MDMT is basis of material selection. Very low temperatures which are usually observed after
depressuring high pressure and/or low temperature systems may call for exotic material such as stainless steel. Following
remedies (subject to the approval of the principal) may be examined to keep the project cost within budget:
Providing thermal sleeve between BDV inlet pipe and vessel nozzle
Providing a temperature trip to inhibit system depressurization if initial temperature is less than required value to prevent
system from reaching extremely low temperatures

Moreover, using absolute minimum temperature as specified in Table 1 for setting MDMT is not 100% correct as it can also
result in expensive materials. This is important because in reality system will experience minimum temperature at a pressure
much lower than system design pressure (see Figure 1). So it is worth to undertake further engineering effort if it helps to

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reasonably select suitable material and avoid extra material costs. In view of this, it is recommended preparing the profile of
depressuring temperature versus pressure and consult with material/mechanical specialist to select a suitable material as per
method described in note Material Selection for Low Temperature Applications.

Contact
Please visit www.linkedin.com/groups/Chemwork-3822450 should you have any comment, question or feedback or feel free to
contact S.Rahimi@gmail.com.