Process Safety Management Practice Exam

The most effective safeguard for preventing over-pressurization in a tank is the rupture disc. A rupture disc is a passive safety device designed to provide a reliable means of pressure relief. It operates by rupturing when the pressure reaches a predetermined set point, allowing the excess pressure to escape and thus preventing damage to the tank or related equipment.

Rupture discs are particularly beneficial because they respond instantaneously to pressure increases, providing immediate relief when the tank pressure exceeds safe operational limits. This characteristic is critical in situations where over-pressurization can lead to catastrophic failures.

While other options, such as flow controllers, pressure sensors, and emergency shutdown systems, play important roles in a comprehensive safety management strategy, they do not provide the same level of immediate pressure relief as a rupture disc. Flow controllers can regulate the inflow of materials but may not address existing over-pressure. Pressure sensors are valuable for monitoring but do not actively relieve pressure; they can only alert operators to a problem, allowing for corrective actions which might not be prompt enough in an emergency. Emergency shutdown systems are essential for overall safety, but they may be triggered only after a pressure alarm, whereas a rupture disc acts without any external intervention.

Thus, the rupture disc stands out as the most