A few years ago, it was infrequent to hear or read news about some tragic mishappening related to gas or boiler explosion. In a more specific way, you need to be very careful when working in and around gas containing systems, whether it is a residential or industrial application, to ensure life safety and prevent any property damage.
However, after years of development, these gas systems (like boilers) are equipped with high-level Gas Safety Valve to protect people’ life, the environment, people’ assets and properties, and industrial plant assets from gas overpressure that may cause low-to-heavy explosions or other destructive or damaging events. These safety valves are extensively used in residential building (connected gas system) and industrial applications like gas pipe, boilers, high-pressure vessels, gas plants and other similar applications.
What causes vessel overpressure?
The question many have asked that what causes these gas vessels overpressure. There are different answers to it in relation to different equipment and event. Some of the reasons behind this overpressure might be system failure, thermal expansion, chemical reaction, blocked discharge, tubes or other component/devices rupture or fire case (when the system is exposed to external fire).
So, how does Gas Safety Valve respond to it?
This 1-minute read includes the working principle of Gas Safety Valve. When overpressure is detected by gas sensor, the safety valve responds to it:
By shutting off the gas supply automatically within some seconds to the residential building, protecting the people and the whole building from severe damage. (residential use)
By relieving the excessing pressure building up inside the vessel through the outlet side to the discharge gas vessel or returns it back to the gas vessel. (Industrial use)
The primary function of a gas safety valve is to immediately and completely release the pressure when it exceeds the pre-set pressure limit in order to restore the required and stable pressure condition and prevent any gas leakage, avoiding any possible explosion that endangers the life of people and their property.
Functioning automatically, the spring-type safety valve consists of a spring attached to the valve. When pressure exceeds inside the vessel, the spring expands at upright direction that causes the valve to open and release the excessive pressure. When the pressure is normalized, spring return back to its stable position which causes the valve to close.
Difference between Gas Safety Valve and Pressure Relief Valve
Sometimes, the term Gas Safety Valve is interchangeably used with pressure relief valve. While, both terms are used in relation to releasing excessive pressure from a pressurized system, there lies a slight difference between them. A relief valve functions to prevent any system failure and protect the equipment from overpressurized issues, whereas a safety valve is last resort valve designed to protect people and property.
In more accurate way, safety valves actuate immediately and fully to avoid overpressurized conditions that might cause a tragic mishappening, rather than to control the pressure of a system (what relief valve actually does). The set point of former is set at 3% above the actual working pressure limit, whereas the set point of the latter is set at 10% above the working pressure limit.
Advantages of Gas Safety Valve
This important and life-saving valve is made of different materials, including carbon steel, duplex steel, forged steel, brass bronze, cast steel or mild steel. Moreover, its surface is treated to make it highly resistant to abrasion, rust, corrosion, high temperature and pressure, that helps in increasing its durability.
It is known for its robust and durable construction, and automatic and instant activation to prevent any catastrophic from happening. It helps in reducing risks of gas leakage in both residential building and industrial applications. It also promotes healthy life and prevent explosions. It is the most cost-effective measure to save life and protect properties.
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