Application of Joukowski Surge Pressure Equation to High Pressure Heat Exchanger Design

Joukowski equation is used to model the surge pressure due to tube rupture in a shell and tube heat transfer equipment.  The transient pressure rise occurs when tube rupture instantaneously releases high pressure gas into the liquid filled low pressure side.  Depending on the parameters involved, the surge pressure peak can be several times the design pressure of the low pressure side, resulting in overpressure of the low pressure side  and compromise of process safety.  Parameters that determine the magnitude of this pressure surge are analyzed. The results are applied to exchanger design with a view to reduce the peak of pressure surge and thus minimize the required design pressure of the low pressure side. Methods and devices to prevent propagation of the pressure transient into systems adjoining the exchanger are also discussed.