Karynne Bernardine G.

Siclot
Industry
March 10, 2015

ChE 428N

Safety in the Process

Individual Assignment: Draw and describe the most commonly used relief
valves in the chemical process industries.
1. Conventional Spring Loaded Safety Valve
As the pressure rises, this causes a force to be put on the valve disc.
This force opposes the spring force until at the set pressure the forces are
balanced and the disc will start to lift. As the pressure continues to rise, the
spring compresses more, further lifting the disc and alleviating the higher
pressure. As the pressure inside the vessel decreases, the disc returns to its
normal closed state.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

-Most reliable type

-Pressure relief is affected by back

pressure

-versatile

-Susceptible to chatter

2. Bellows Spring Loaded Safety Relief Valve

The bellows spring loaded safety relief valve has the same principle as
the conventional spring valve, with the exception of a vent located on the
side of the valve. This vent lets releases the contents of the valve out to the
surrounding environment.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

-Pressure relief is not

affected by back pressure

-Bellows can be susceptible

to fatigue

-Can handle higher built-up

-Not environmentally friendly

back pressure

(can release of toxics into

atmosphere)

-Spring is protected from

corrosion

-Requires a venting system

3. Pilot Assisted Safety Relief Valve

The pilot operated safety relief valve is also similar to the conventional
safety relief valve except a pneumatic diaphragm or piston is attached to the
top. This piston can apply forces on the valve when the valve is closed to
balance the spring force and applies additional sealing pressure to prevent
leakage.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

-Pressure relief is not

affected by back pressure

-Pilot is susceptible to
plugging; potential for back
flow

-Can operate at 98% of set

pressure

-Condensation can cause

problems with the valve

-Less susceptible to chatter

-Has limited chemical use