APPLICATION TYPE: Specialty

Hipps (Integrated System)

HIPPS is the acronym of High Pressure Protection System which is a specific application of Safety Instrumented System (SIS).

HIPPS is applied to prevent over-pressurization of a plant or pipeline by shutting off the source of high pressure. 

HIPPS is to protect unfortified downstream equipment against overpressure or upset conditions coming from upstream.

This is achieved by quickly closing two in-series safety shut-off valves to prevent further pressurization of downstream piping.

HIPPS is an instrumented safety system that is designed to reach the desired fail-safe conditions for the process according to the IEC 61508, IEC 61511, ANSI/ISA S84.01 standards:

IEC 61508: “Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety Related System”.

IEC 61511: “Functional Safety: safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector”.
ANSI/ISA S84.01: “Application of Safety Instrumented System for the Process Industries”.

The HIPPS system is a complete functional loop consisting of:

  • Initiators, that detect the high pressure. The initiators are typically electro-mechanical pressure switches or electronic pressure transmitters.
  • Logic Solver, which process the input from the initiators to an output for the final element. Is responsible of activation of relevant signal outputs on the basis of the preset applications and input from the initiators. The system consists of a CPU and fail-safe redundant I/O suitable for safety-related applications. The logic solver can also be designed based on Solid State Logic.
  • Final elements, that perform the corrective action in the field by bringing the process to a safe state.

The complete valves/actuators/solenoid assemblies are acted on to isolate the over pressure detected by the initiators. PetrolValves solution (axial flow, slab gate and ball valve) is designed to close within 2 seconds.
 

ADVANTAGES OF HIPPS SYSTEM:

ECONOMIC:
Considerable cost savings in fabrication of thinner wall downstream lines/equipment as well as a weight reduction, which may be beneficial for both construction costs and installation. High pressure and large flow rates can be handled safely with reduced cost.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Reduce flare capacity requirements with benefits on environment and risk profile of the plant.
 
SAFETY:
Protection and reliability factor assured by HIPPS totally prevents overpressure on every kind of downstream package.
 

HIPPS System shall be designed and manufactured to guarantee:

  • Quick and safe operation on demand (Availability)
  • The SIL Level requirement (PFD)
  • Suitability for continuous operation (Reliability)
  • Compliance with process requirements (i.e.: function on Fail Safe mode, low pressure drop, low turbulence…)
  • Tightness level required to achieve adequate isolation
  • Easy to operate and Maintain
  • Pigability (available with ball and gate valves)
     

From a technical and commercial point of view; the use of the HIPPS system becomes the only possible and practicable approach, especially when the following event occurs:

  • Environmental restrictions and safety constraints limit the venting.
  • Overpressure risk must be reduced.
  • Extremely high pressure and/or flow rate are processed.
  • Sizing of a suitable relief device is difficult to be defined or inadequate due to chemical reactions.
  • General economic profitability.