Brief Introduction to Air Compressor Safety Valves
Safety valves are a special category of valves. Unlike ordinary valves which only perform opening and closing functions, their core function is equipment safety protection. With the rapid economic development in China, an increasing number of engineering projects adopt pressure-controlled equipment. To satisfy equipment pressure relief requirements, safety valves play a vital role in equipment protection.
The closure member of a safety valve remains normally closed under external force. When the medium pressure inside equipment or pipelines rises beyond the specified value, this special valve discharges medium out of the system to prevent overpressure. As a type of automatic valve, safety valves are mainly installed on boilers, pressure vessels and pipelines to limit pressure within allowable values, offering critical protection for personnel safety and stable equipment operation. As stipulated in the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Safety Valves, safety valves shall be calibrated periodically at least once a year, and relevant requirements shall be specified in safety technical codes.
Calibration Methods for Air Compressor Safety Valves
Offline Calibration on Test Bench
Mount the safety valve on a calibration bench, and feed calibration medium to lift the valve. The set pressure is confirmed by observing pressure gauges. However, this method cannot simulate safety valves with backpressure, nor valves operating under high or low medium temperature conditions.
On-site Instrument Calibration
External force is applied to measure the downward spring force acting on the safety valve, so as to calculate its set pressure. This method generally does not interrupt production or change system pressure, featuring fast and convenient testing. Nevertheless, it cannot verify the sealing performance of the safety valve.
Pressure Rise Pop Test
The safety valve remains installed on the system. The system pressure is artificially increased until the safety valve pops open to check its set pressure. This method may cause relatively severe damage to the sealing surfaces of the safety valve, and the operation carries higher risks compared with other methods.
The effectiveness of a component depends on its application scenario. Improper application will create serious potential safety hazards. This applies to air compressor safety valves.
Scenarios Where Safety Valves Shall Not Be Used Independently
Pressure rises rapidly and the discharge capacity of the safety valve is insufficient to match the pressure rising rate.
Strict sealing requirements are demanded.
Medium inside the vessel may cause safety valve failure. For example, a large amount of solid particles in the medium will lead to poor sealing after the safety valve re-seats.
The medium inside the vessel is highly toxic or poses threats to public safety.
For the above working conditions, safety valves cannot be used alone. Rupture discs, or a combined assembly of safety valve and rupture disc shall be adopted.
The closure member of a safety valve remains normally closed under external force. When the medium pressure inside equipment or pipelines rises beyond the specified value, this special valve discharges medium out of the system to prevent overpressure. As a type of automatic valve, safety valves are mainly installed on boilers, pressure vessels and pipelines to limit pressure within allowable values, offering critical protection for personnel safety and stable equipment operation. As stipulated in the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Safety Valves, safety valves shall be calibrated periodically at least once a year, and relevant requirements shall be specified in safety technical codes.
Calibration Methods for Air Compressor Safety Valves
Offline Calibration on Test Bench
Mount the safety valve on a calibration bench, and feed calibration medium to lift the valve. The set pressure is confirmed by observing pressure gauges. However, this method cannot simulate safety valves with backpressure, nor valves operating under high or low medium temperature conditions.
On-site Instrument Calibration
External force is applied to measure the downward spring force acting on the safety valve, so as to calculate its set pressure. This method generally does not interrupt production or change system pressure, featuring fast and convenient testing. Nevertheless, it cannot verify the sealing performance of the safety valve.
Pressure Rise Pop Test
The safety valve remains installed on the system. The system pressure is artificially increased until the safety valve pops open to check its set pressure. This method may cause relatively severe damage to the sealing surfaces of the safety valve, and the operation carries higher risks compared with other methods.
The effectiveness of a component depends on its application scenario. Improper application will create serious potential safety hazards. This applies to air compressor safety valves.
Scenarios Where Safety Valves Shall Not Be Used Independently
Pressure rises rapidly and the discharge capacity of the safety valve is insufficient to match the pressure rising rate.
Strict sealing requirements are demanded.
Medium inside the vessel may cause safety valve failure. For example, a large amount of solid particles in the medium will lead to poor sealing after the safety valve re-seats.
The medium inside the vessel is highly toxic or poses threats to public safety.
For the above working conditions, safety valves cannot be used alone. Rupture discs, or a combined assembly of safety valve and rupture disc shall be adopted.
