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Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle Explained

Pressure relief valve working principle, Overview:

Let’s take a look at why it’s so important to have the right pressure relief valve for the right application. In this article I am going to explain the pressure relief valve working principle with the help of images.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

Direct spring-loaded pressure relief valves use the mechanical force of a spring to keep the valve in a closed position until system pressure rises enough to counteract the springs mechanical force. Spring-loaded pressure relief valves are widely used throughout processing industries.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle


But some applications and processing conditions require a different type of relief valve design. For example, back pressure or elevated pressure within the header system can prevent a conventional spring-loaded relief valve from operating as designed because it results in additional forces that must be overcome to open the valve. This is especially true for variable back pressure, an alternative for spring-loaded valves is the balanced bellows design.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

But it also has limitations in high back pressure conditions. A potential solution for operating in high and variable back pressure conditions is a pilot-operated relief valve. Pilot-operated relief valves or PORVs can address applications.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

That standard spring-loaded designs cannot with PORVs. The main valve is sealed using system pressure regulated by a separate valve or control called a pilot. the set point and relief event are controlled by the pilot.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle



Which is isolated from back pressure so PORVs are generally unaffected by back pressure. pilot-operated relief valves also optimize production pressures as close to set point as possible reducing fugitive emissions or product losses  and PORVs have a smaller footprint and don’t usually require costly piping changes. In normal operating conditions a pilot direct system pressure to the dome of the main valve this pressure keeps the piston sealed.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

Without any disruption in system pressure the main valve will remain closed. The surface area at the top of the piston is greater than the surface area of the seat. This provides a greater closing force to maintain the main valve in the closed. It’s important to note that as system pressure increases towards the set point of a PORV.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

The seating force increase and the seat gets tighter. Let’s say a pump has failed downstream and pressure is accumulating in the facilities processing equipment.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle


A pilot-operated relief valve experiencing a rapid rise in pressure towards its set pressure of 100 psi as the pressure increases, the pilot controls piston assembly rises, lifting the spool and closing the inlet seal, these actions shut off flow to the dome of the main valve.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

 

 

The pressure within the dome does not continue to rise and dome load remains constant. The main valve has not yet open but the closing force at the seat is slightly reduced as the pressure approaches the system set point. The pilot controls piston assembly continues to rise lifting the spool causing the outlet seal to crack open, when this happens pressure in the dome will empty back through the pilot. This reduction of pressure within the dome reduces the seeding force in the main valve.

 

The piston lifts off the nozzle and excess system pressure is discharged directly through the outlet of the main valve. The main valve and pilot will lift in proportion to overpressure to relieve only the amount necessary, to resume normal operating conditions. If enough pressure is relieved the dome will repressurize and the piston will begin to reclose. If the system pressure continues to rise past 100 psi the dome pressure continues to drop and the main valve opens further within the pilot control. The piston assembly Rises and the outlet seat continues to remain open eventually.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle


The dome pressure drops to zero and the PORV is fully opened and flowing the pilot-operated relief valve design allows the system to operate very close to set pressure. The modulating control is critical in process environments.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

Where processors want to minimize the loss of hazardous or critical materials. As system pressure returns to normal the PORVs main valve will close. When the piston receipts on the nozzle the flow through the outlet is shut off at the same time, the pilot returns to its normal position with system pressure flowing back into the dome of the main valve, another benefit of a pilot-operated relief valve is the ability to add accessories which further enhance performance.

Pressure Relief Valve Working Principle

Installation of a reverse flow preventer assures that correct pressure differential is maintained and the main valve remains closed in normal operating conditions by using a pilot-operated relief valve with a remote sensing option the pilot is tubed directly to the equipment in a more stable pressure zone bypassing the inlet piping and avoiding a pressure drop and a field test connection allows maintenance personnel to check the set pressure of a pilot-operated relief valve without taking the valve out of service or disrupting system protection.

 

 

 

Engr Fahad

My name is Shahzada Fahad and I am an Electrical Engineer. I have been doing Job in UAE as a site engineer in an Electrical Construction Company. Currently, I am running my own YouTube channel "Electronic Clinic", and managing this Website. My Hobbies are * Watching Movies * Music * Martial Arts * Photography * Travelling * Make Sketches and so on...

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