What Is a Bursting Disc?
A bursting disc, also known as a rupture disc, burst diaphragm or pressure safety disc, is a safety device that protects a pressurised system from excessive pressure. It contains a thin membrane designed to burst at a predetermined pressure. When that pressure is reached, the disc opens and relieves the system, preventing damage to vessels, pipelines and equipment caused by a sudden pressure rise.
Bursting discs can be used on their own or in combination with a safety valve. Their leak-tight design keeps the process medium contained during normal operation, and they can operate at very high and very low temperatures where other relief devices may be limited.
Working Principle
The bursting disc is a single-use, non-reclosing device. Under normal operating conditions the membrane remains intact and completely seals the line. When the system pressure exceeds the set burst pressure, the membrane ruptures within milliseconds, opening a relief path and bringing the pressure down quickly. After it has burst, the disc must be replaced.
What Does a Bursting Disc Do?
- Fast response: relieves overpressure in milliseconds, much faster than many other pressure relief solutions.
- Leak-tightness: prevents leakage of the medium while the system is operating normally.
- Backup protection: installed where a safety valve could become inoperable, or upstream of a safety valve to isolate it from the process medium.
- Cost efficiency: a more economical option than safety valves for many applications.
Bursting Disc Types
Bursting discs are selected according to the process medium, temperature and required burst pressure. Luna Flow Control supplies discs in the following materials:
- Stainless steel
- PTFE
- Hastelloy
- Inconel
- Nickel
- Tantalum
Technical Range
Our bursting discs are available with flanged or wafer connections, in nominal sizes from DN 15 to DN 900 (1/2″ – 36″). They cover burst pressures from 0.025 bar to 160 bar and operating temperatures from -196 °C to +1200 °C.
Application Areas
- Petrochemical and chemical plants
- Oil fields
- Pharmaceutical and medical industry
- Food industry
- Aviation and defence industry
- Nuclear facilities
- Railway applications
Selection Tips
Because a bursting disc is a precision safety component, it must be matched carefully to the system. When selecting a disc, define the required burst pressure, operating pressure and temperature, the chemical properties of the medium and the connection type. The membrane material should be resistant to the medium to avoid premature failure. Discs should be inspected regularly and replaced after every burst event. Contact Luna Flow Control with your process data to select a suitable bursting disc.
