How Does a Pressure Reducing Valve Work and What are its Applications?

The Pressure Reducing Valve regulates downstream or upstream pressure through self-actuation. It is the primary function of these control valves to convert high pressure into low pressure. There is the widespread use of them in the oil and gas, steam, and water industries.

In a steam system, a pressure-reducing control valve balances steam pressure with a spring. Modern pressure-reducing control valves are manufactured using this basic concept. Depending on the mechanism controlling the valve opening, pressure-reducing control valves can be classified into two types:

• Control valve for reducing pressure by pilot operation

• Pressure-reducing valve with direct acting

Pressure Reducing Valves System Features

A pressure-reducing valve is completely self-contained and does not require external power to operate. As a general rule, it performs the following functions:

• In steam systems, pressure-reducing control valves are used to precisely control downstream pressure. When pressure fluctuates, this valve automatically adjusts the valve opening and pressure.

• Water hammers can be prevented under certain conditions by properly selecting a pressure-reducing control valve.

• In the event of a power outage, they can also be used as bypass valves to keep the system running.

• Control valves that reduce pressure can respond quickly to downstream pressure by sensing and adjusting as necessary.

Pressure Reducing Valves in Action

Control valves that reduce pressure automatically are used for the following services:

• Services related to air or gas

In air and gas services, direct-acting and pilot-operated pressure-reducing control valves are used in compressed air systems, power tools, pneumatic control systems, and control valves for industrial gas storage and distribution systems. Based on the level of control required, the type of pressure-reducing control valve used is determined.

• Services related to water

Various water distribution and fire protection systems use pressure-reducing control valves. In general, direct-acting pressure-reducing control valves are preferred for these services.

• Services related to steam

Steam applications such as direct steam supply, engines, and turbines typically use pressure-reducing control valves.

• Services offered by others

The following situations may require a pressure reducing control valves:

• Lubrication systems for heavy industrial equipment and rolling mill bearings

• The purpose of hydraulic press pressure control is to control the ram pressure.

• Control of fuel-oil pressure.

• Sterilizers, unit heaters, humidifiers, and small process equipment use pressure reduction

• Fertilizers use it extensively. In the chemical process, pharmaceutical, and natural gas distribution industries

What are the Advantages of Pressure Reducing Valves?

There are many benefits to using pressure-reducing valves. Control valves that reduce pressure have the following primary benefits:

• There is no need for external /auxiliary energy.

• Line pressure energy is used to control the system.

• A pressure-balanced design has negligible impact on regulated pressure when there is a fluctuation in inlet pressure.

• Maintenance is easy

• In the absence of stem packing, external leakage and friction are eliminated.

• Response time is short

Pressure Relief Valve vs. Pressure Reducing Valve

Pressure-relief valves differ primarily from pressure-reducing control valves in the following ways:

• Control valves that reduce pressure maintain a nearly constant pressure downstream of the valve. Because of this, the higher stress is only maintained or reduced by this valve. In contrast, pressure relief valves protect equipment and systems from excessive pressure when the system or equipment pressure exceeds the set limit.

• When the pressure limit is exceeded, pressure-relief valves are activated, whereas pressure-reducing control valves operate continuously.

• Pilot lines sense outlet pressure in pressure-reducing control valves, whereas pilot lines sense inlet pressure in pressure-relief valves.

• The pressure-relief valve will be shuttered under normal operating conditions, but the pressure-reducing valve will be open.

Aira Euro Automation is the leading Pressure Reducing Valve Manufacturers in India. We offer various types of industrial valves like ball valves, butterfly valves, control valves, and many more.