Implementing a Pressure Control Valve

In a large system of pipes, pressure often builds up throughout the normal course of operation. As process media is moved to different places, operations to filter or refine take place, and other activities leading to required circulation occur. The machines working and moving the substances create different amounts of pressure at various points during production operations. Occasionally, that pressure that is created needs to be released. If the pressure is not released, the build-up could have very negative results later, that could be dangerous to workers in the worst cases and limit production in the best cases. A pressure control valve can be implemented into a system, which allows it to release pressure before the build-up becomes too great.

A pressure control valve can allow gas or pressure to escape from a system when it is opened. There are different types of pressure control valves, and they can be opened in different ways. One option for a pressure control valve is to open it manually when it is determined that a release is necessary. This allows for a quick response and release whenever a supervisor determines it is necessary. Other systems can be put into place, which cause a pressure control valve to open when it receives a certain set of signals from system operations. In these instances, the pressure control valve would open automatically to release gas or pressure when the sensor indicates that the build-up has reached or exceeded a certain point.

The simplest type of pressure control valve consists of a spool and a channel. The channel is the outlet where gas or pressure is permitted to leave. one type of design for a pressure control valve is a pressure tank. There is still a spool and a channel for escape, but they are contained inside a cylinder. The spool has a spring at one end and a bolt at the other. The tank works in a manner that allows the spring to react when pressure has built up to a certain point. The spring motion causes the bolt to move and open the escape channel. Excess pressure and gas can then leave through the channel, before any of the negative effects of too much pressure build-up are experienced.

All of the components in a pressure control valve are designed to be sensitive to the pressure within a system. Each part can be specially ordered with certain tolerances for weight and pressure, depending on the exact conditions of the system in which they will be implemented. These exact measurements allow for the appropriate parts and products to be ordered and installed, which ensures that operations continue to run smoothly and safely. In some more complex systems, pressure release from one area may depend on pressure balances and production activities in other areas of a system. Sequence valves and counterbalance valves can be installed in those instances, which will all work together to release pressure at the appropriate times. While these other valve options are available, the most common type of pressure control valve is the simplest design.