A safety valve is a crucial safety device widely used in industrial equipment to prevent system overpressure that could lead to equipment damage or safety incidents. By automatically opening and releasing pressure when the system pressure exceeds a preset value, safety valves ensure the system operates within a safe range, thus protecting both the equipment and personnel.

Working Principle of Safety Valves

The basic principle of a safety valve is to balance the force of a spring with the pressure inside the system. When the system pressure exceeds the set value, the pressure overcomes the spring force, the valve opens, and the medium is released until the pressure drops to a safe level. Common types of safety valves include:

1. Direct Acting Safety Valve: This type of safety valve has a simple structure and relies on the spring directly acting on the valve disc. When the pressure exceeds the set value, the spring compresses, the valve disc lifts, and the medium is discharged.

2. Pilot Operated Safety Valve: This type consists of a main valve and a pilot valve. The pilot valve controls the opening and closing of the main valve to achieve pressure relief, commonly used in systems requiring large discharge capacities.