Which statement best describes a rupture disc?

• A. They relieve overpressure automatically without energy input
• B. They require manual operation
• C. They release only for high temperatures
• D. They are a primary heat exchanger

Answer: (A)

Rupture discs are a passive safety device designed to protect a vessel from overpressure by venting automatically when the pressure reaches a predefined bursting point. They require no energy input or manual actuation to relieve pressure, which is why they are described as automatic and energy-independent. They’re not activated by temperature alone and they don’t act as a manual valve—their purpose is to relieve pressure, not to be opened or controlled by an operator. They also aren’t heat exchangers or primary equipment for transferring heat; their function is to prevent overpressure by rapid venting. After a rupture, the disc is single-use and must be replaced.