PECM Issue 35 2018 | Page 118

HEALTH & SAFETY RELIABLE RUPTURE DISCS REMBE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FOR CRYOSTATS AT THE INSTITUTE FOR TECHNICAL PHYSICS (ITEP) IN KARLSRUHE As an organisational unit of the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, the key focus of the ITEP is on superconductivity and cryogenic technology. The scientists are currently working on nuclear fusion, energy technology components and the development of high-energy magnetic fields. With its comprehensive, practice- oriented service program, the institute is an established player in the national and international research and development sector. In order to provide clients and customers with the required services reliably and quickly, the institute focuses on high-quality equipment. These include the rupture discs which have been in use for the institute’s 118 PECM Issue 35 cryostats since 1996. The rupture discs were supplied by the German rupture disc manufacturer REMBE. For more than 45 years, the company has been protecting cryostats and other vessels and plant components from unwanted over pressure and vacuum. “Cryogenic processes and applications are one of our main specialties” says Dr. Stefan Rüsenberg, head of technical sales at REMBE. Friedhelm Kesting, production manager for more than 25 years adds: “We have already secured a wide variety of processes, from deep sea applications all the way up to space satellites. I am personally very proud to hear that our rupture discs have been providing reliable protection for such a long time.” According to the manufacturer, the most important factor with cryostats is that the pressure relief used is leak-proof. Therefore, they recommend welded compact rupture discs which, in addition to the low leak rate, also offer a response at low burst pressures and very high vacuum resistance. REMBE employees see the great advantage of the rupture disc compared to a safety valve in the fact that, unlike a safety valve, a rupture disc cannot freeze up. www.rembe.com/