Relief Valves

Let off some steam and avoid serious damage with relief valves
By W. Aiman Mueller Whether your pipe or tube system runs air, steam, gas or liquid, pressure relief valves significantly increase safety for your system and workers. Most pressure relief valves do not restrict flow. When pressures exceed safe levels within a system, the relief valve opens and lets steam, gas or liquid escape. This prevents the system from rupturing or, in some cases, exploding.

The pressure level at which a relief valve will open is often built in, but the alternative is an adjustable relief valve. A coil or hydraulic spring holds a relief valve closed. When pressure levels rise too high, the pressure compresses the spring to open the relief valve. Once pressure falls down to a normal range, the relief valve closes again.

Relief valves are different from other valves, but they are available in several common forms, including:

1. Diaphragm relief valves

2. Globe relief valves

3. Swing check relief valves

Find quality relief valve suppliers and relief valve manufacturers

Relief valve applications cover a wide range. Look for sites that have a versatile selection of relief valves so that you can get a good match for your specific application.
Try:  Grainger does a nice job of categorizing their products On their site you can quickly locate and buy a low pressure relief valve, liquid or water pressure relief valve, safety relief valve, tank relief valve or one of many other relief valves. You can also find an air relief valve among their pneumatic modular FRL accessories. If you're dealing with liquids, especially corrosive liquids, then also check out Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc..

Buy large industrial relief valves from leading pressure and safety valves manufacturers

Some applications require very large or specialized relief valves. If these are the kinds of valves you're looking for, you will need to find a manufacturer that produces equipment at that level.
Try:  Tyco Flow Control carries serious pressure relief valves from Anderson Greenwood, Crosby and Varec. Industrial Valve sells basically the same list of brands, but is a good place to do a price comparison or check for alternate availability.

Maintain and repair your relief valves

A faulty relief valve is a serious safety hazard. Maintain, repair and replace your relief valves as needed, without delay.
Try:  Besides selling relief valves, Industrial Valve also repairs safety relief valves of all brand and sizes. Superior Industrial Valve Repair  specializes in maintenance and reconditioning. Furmanite is another excellent choice for valve repair services, and an added benefit is that valve repair is only one of many repair services they perform.

• A relief valve can also refer to a device that pumps air into a low pressure system to prevent a vacuum from forming inside the equipment.