The principle type of device used to prevent overpressure in plant is the safety or safety relief valve. The safety valve operates by releasing a volume of fluid from within the plant when a predetermined maximum pressure is reached, thereby reducing the excess pressure in a safe manner. As the safety valve may be the only remaining device to prevent catastrophic failure under overpressure conditions, it is important that any such device is capable of operating at all times and under all possible conditions. Safety valves should be installed wherever the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of a system or pressure-containing vessel is likely to be exceeded. In steam systems, safety valves are typically used for boiler overpressure protection and other applications such as downstream of pressure reducing controls. Although their primary role is for safety, safety valves are also used in process operations to prevent product damage due to excess pressure.

Safety Valve will activate when excess pressure is generated in a number of different situations, including:

•  An imbalance of fluid flowrate caused by inadvertently closed or opened isolation valves on a process vessel.
•  Failure of a cooling system, which allows vapour or fluid to expand.
•  Compressed air or electrical power failure to control instrumentation.
•  Transient pressure surges.
•  Exposure to plant fires.
•  Heat exchanger tube failure.
•  Uncontrollable exothermic reactions in chemical plants.
•  Ambient temperature changes.

IBR Certfied SS Safety Valve. Click here to view more types of safety valves.