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Home > Steam Theory > Pressure Reducing Valves for Steam
Fig. 1 Heating processes usually benefit from using steam at a lower pressure than that supplied by the boiler. Thus, pressure reducing valves are often used to reduce steam pressure to the set point value required by the process.
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While it is possible to maintain a constant pressure by using the combination of an actuated control valve, a pressure sensor and a controller; a pressure reducing valve offers the advantage of being able to control pressure through fully-automatic self-contained operation, requiring no type of external power source. It can offer the further advantage of extremely rapid response action by immediately sensing and adjusting based on the downstream pressure.
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Fig. 2 Delivered steam pressure is regulated by balancing forces acting directly on the valve itself: the downward force caused by compression of the adjustment spring against the upward force from the secondary pressure acting against the underside of a bellows or diaphragm. Note: The movements in the animation are slowed and exaggerated in order to show the opening and closing of the valve.
In direct acting pressure reducing valves, the amount of valve opening is determined directly by the movement of the adjustment spring. If the spring is compressed, it creates an opening force on the valve which increases flow. As pressure builds downstream, equalizing occurs by feeding the downstream pressure to the underside of the adjustment spring (usually against a bellows or diaphragm) where its upward force counter-balances against the spring compression. Spring compressive force which opens the valve is limited to allow sufficient spring sensitivity to equalize with downstream pressure changes. The net result is simple pressure control through a valve orifice where high flow rates can cause pressure droop.
Pilot-Operated
Used for larger loads where close pressure control is required Pros: Close pressure control, fast response to load variation, may be used across a broader range of flow rates than the direct acting types.
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Fig. 3 Delivered steam pressure is regulated in a similar manner as direct acting PRVs, however indirectly via a pilot valve. As the pilot valve is actuated, it provides the opening flow to the larger main valve which can supply significantly higher flow rates than the pilot itself. The pilot valve is then equalized by the secondary pressure, which correspondingly controls the opening flow to the main valve. Note: The movements in the animation are slowed and exaggerated in order to show the opening and closing of the valve.
In pilot-operated pressure reducing valves, a pilot valve is used to load a piston or diaphragm that increases the downward force used to open a larger main valve. This enables larger flow capacity with a lower pressure offset (droop). The opening and closing of the pilot valve is controlled by the balance of force between the adjustment spring and the secondary pressure in the same manner that a direct-acting valve operates. However, in a pilot-operated PRV, this opening and closing of the pilot valve purposely delivers pressure to
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9/28/2012