Safety pressure relief valves are designed to protect systems against exceeding the allowable pressure value. The opening pressure of the safety relief valve is set at the factory and can not be changed. Safety relief valves can be used in pressurized water and central heating installations.
Specifications:
- Material: high quality brass;
- Size: 1/2" or 3/4" BSP;
- Thread type: Male or Female;
- Working temperature range: -20C to +120C;
- Max. working pressure: 1,5bar, 1,8bar, 2,5bar, 3bar, 4bar, 4,5bar, 6bar, 8bar or 10bar.
A safety pressure release valve or safety relief valve is a device that protects the pressure vessel or installation (e.g. a pipe or a boiler) against bursting due to excessively high pressure in the installation. It can be used in all kinds of appliances, including boilers and water heaters. As it is known, a liquid or gas flows in the pipe (the so-called “medium”) and the safety relief valve is designed to control and decrease the pressure. It assures the safe flow of the medium to the designated target.
How does such a valve work? Well, the importance of the setting is essential at this point. Some devices have one factory setting, but there are also some available ones where you settings can adjust settings.. The point is that the suitable pressure is set to prevent installation from bursting or even explosion. The purpose of installing a pressure relief valve is to protect the installation from explosion and allow gas to be drained from the system or compressor when the pressure rises above the allowable standards.
Why does it happen at all? There might be different reasons and one of them is a failure of one of the components. When gas is released into the atmosphere through the safety valve, the pressure is . decreased. The mechanism of action is as follows:
The spring which is an integral part of the pressure relief valve expands and the valve closes. When the pressure rises above a certain level, the spring is compressed and the valve is opened. Once the valve is opened, the water or steam is able to pass through. When the pressure drops below a fixed level, the spring expands again, closing the valve. The mechanism of operation of the valve is therefore quite simple. Nevertheless, each valve element must be made of the highest quality materials, so that we can be sure that this element will work at the right time and at the right level.
Taking into account the purpose and functionality of the valves, they can be either called pressure relief valves, pressure release valves or if it is designed for a specific installation, for instance; boiler pressure relief valves.
It is worth bearing in mind that the variety of valves is huge. They are distinguished not only by the material of manufacture, but also by construction features, intended installation place, resistance to high pressure and many other parameters.
Pressure relief valves are relatively small elements. They are mainly made of various metal alloys. Brass valves are highly valued, because of their wide application. Components made of this material are resistant to high temperatures, and what is more, they are corrosion resistant. Steel safety valves are a bit worse and have limited use. However, in the case of compressed air, their use is usually possible.
Why is a safety valve necessary? In the light what was written above, PRVs are needed to reduce the pressure in the installations or compressors. Nevertheless, why is it so important to lower pressure in devices? Well, its growth can have serious consequences, such as: compressor failure, engine damage, damage of installation components, explosion as well as a real health and life threat for householders and all people nearby.
