Pressure relief valves, or pressure relief valves, are smart solutions to manage a wide range of pressure management or overpressure situations. The valves are designed to react to deviations from predetermined levels of pressure, opening and releasing pressured fluids to a safe or predetermined area. When correctly installed and maintained, pressure relief valves help ensure that pressurized systems do not suffer serious damage or cause injury due to uncontrolled pressure buildup throughout their operation.
Pressure relief valves are available in a wide variety of sizes, pressures and materials, with their operation governed by American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. The primary elements of a pressure relief valve are a body and bonnet, springs, and a disc, or valve.
The body and bonnet of the valve are most often constructed of metal with a standard 1/4” NPT male outlet connection. Motors, cables, and other components can be used to increase remote operation from a control panel. Generally, the body is designed to be bolted to a tank and the bonnet, which is screwed onto the body, enclosing the disc and the springs.
The springs maintain the pressure of the disc, the part of the valve that holds the pressure against the seat. Sprung loads and the corresponding temperature of which the valve should be maintained vary based upon the spring force, material and design.
The disc itself can be open or closed as pressure within the system increases or decreases. As the pressure in the system rises, an increase in the force of the spring pushes the disc toward the seat of the valve, tightly closing the opening and therefore creating a closed or relief situation. A decrease in the pressure within the system decreases the force of the spring causing the pressure within the system to decrease towards the valves opening and therefore creating an open or drain situation.
Some pressure relief valves are designed for set-pressure operations, meaning the valve will open at a predetermined point and then stay open until the pressure within the system reaches a lower point, at which time the valve will again close. Other valves are designed to operate continuously, opening and closing at preset relief pressures as the pressure in the system increases and decreases uninterrupted.
In addition to these basic pressure relief valves, other safety solutions such as rupture discs and automatic shutoff valves offer their own benefits in certain pressure relief applications. Depending on the specific requirements of the operation, rupture discs may be chosen over traditional pressure relief valves when there is a need to quickly respond to sudden pressure surges. Automatic shutoff valves may be preferred when the need is to monitor and control pressures over a period of time.
No matter the application, the proper selection and installation of a pressure relief valve or other safety solution is essential to maintaining the overall safety and efficiency of a pressurized system. The team of experts at Pressure Systems Inc. can assist with valve selection, maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure safe operation. With over 60 years of pressure relief expertise, teams at Pressure Systems Inc. have the answers to help maintain the safety and productivity of your pressurized systems.
