Sanitary Pressure Relief Valve Guide
Oct 27, 2023| Sanitary Pressure Relief Valve Guide
Sanitary pressure relief valves are used to regulate pressure in piping systems and pumps, thereby preventing hazards and operational failures. They are designed to be continuously and automatically available in two situations:
Increased pressure during an emergency due to equipment malfunction, system malfunction or malfunction.
Normal situation: Daily system routine causes stress to build up.
With a stainless steel design and other hygienic and safety features, they are suitable for protecting equipment used in the high-pressure food processing, biopharmaceutical, chemical and personal care industries.
For example, you can find them on the side of most water heaters. Known as water heater pressure relief valves, they are used to prevent over-pressure and overheating of the unit. This is why your water heater doesn't turn into a bomb when you heat the water to high temperatures causing steam to build up.
Working principle of sanitary pressure relief valve
A pressure relief valve functions by opening when pressure builds up within the system above a certain designated mark. When a valve opens, fluid, liquid, moisture, or steam escapes and the pressure within the system decreases to an average level.
Spring-loaded pressure relief valves are the most common design and feature a valve body, nozzle/inlet, piping, bonnet, spring, disc, disc holder, and seat. When conditions are normal/balanced, the spring load holds the disc on the nozzle and prevents flow out. When the inlet pressure subsequently exceeds the spring force, the spring releases the disc and allows outflow. You can set the pressure the spring holds, or release the disc by calibrating the spring load using a pressure nut.
Most pressure relief valves are designed to open automatically when pressure becomes high. They usually shut down when the pressure returns to average levels. Usually closing helps to stop the flow so that the pressure doesn't drop below average.
The spring keeps the valve closed, allowing it to open only when the system pressure increases. Once conditions return to normal, the valve closes, thus:
Ensure the safety of people's lives
Guarantee the service life of equipment
Ensure operational continuity
However, a pressure relief valve should not be confused with a back pressure regulator. Here are the differences:
Pressure relief valve and back pressure regulator
Back pressure regulators are used to maintain a steady flow of pressure within the system. It is part of the system and has sensors that allow it to stabilize the system in real time.
A pressure relief valve, on the other hand, is a programmable valve that opens when the system needs to relieve excess pressure. It is not a functional part of the system, but just a security mechanism with the following functions.
Technical specifications of sanitary pressure relief valve
They are designed in accordance with the Pressure Vessel Code and the ANSI Code Guide, Part VIII, which specifies piping and corrosion resistance characteristics for pressure relief systems.
Steel body and carbon steel pipe
Inclined discharge pipe
Temperature-resistant and pressure-resistant sealing material
The spring-loaded mechanism is designed to calibrate under a wide range of operating pressure conditions.
end connection
Partial opening mechanism available
Is there any malfunction of the sanitary pressure relief valve?
Although pressure relief valves have proven to be relatively reliable tools, overpressure (albeit very low) has occurred due to valve failure. This happens when:
Valve fails to open when needed: A valve may fail to open or open at a higher pressure than a set pressure.
The valve opens when not needed: the valve opens when the pressure is lower than the set pressure and cannot be reset after leaking or opening.
However, in addition to the above events, pressure relief valves are also critical in preventing damage and equipment failure. They are widely used in high pressure systems and are available in a variety of configurations.
Other designs of pressure sanitary relief valves
In addition to the spring relief valves discussed above, you can also get the following designs:
Relief Valve: Designed to open suddenly when inlet static pressure increases during high steam operation.
Safety valve: Opens gradually in proportion to the pressure in the system exceeding the system opening pressure.
Safety Relief Valve: Opens rapidly in proportion to the pressure buildup above the opening system pressure.
Temperature Actuated Safety Valve: Actuated by an increase in temperature inside or outside the system.
Power Actuated Pressure Relief Valve: The actuator device obtains power from an external source and relieves system pressure.
Recall that most pressure relief valves are spring loaded and allow for calibration to set the pressure at which the valve opens or closes to regulate the pressure of a specific system to ensure safe and continuous operation. Pressure relief valves are widely used in sanitary applications because they are easy to operate and keep clean.
