Safety Relief Valves
A relief valve or pressure relief valve (PRV) refers to the type of safety valve that is used to control or limit the pressure in a system that otherwise might build up and create disruption in the process, instrument or equipment failure, or fire. The main objective of a safety valve is the protection of life, property, and the environment. A safety valve is designed to open and relieve excess pressure from vessels or equipment and to reclose and prevent the further release of fluid after normal conditions have been restored. The pressure is relieved by allowing the pressurized fluid to flow from an auxiliary passage out of the system. The relief valve is designed or set to open at a predetermined set pressure to prevent pressure vessels and other equipment from being subjected to pressures exceeding their design limits. When the set pressure is exceeded, the relief valve becomes the "path of least resistance" as the valve is forced open and a portion of the fluid is di...