Design of High-Lift Pressure Relief Valves with Non-Adjustable Blowdown for Gas/Steam

Abstract

The industrial approach to designing relief valves does not use fundamental physics to its best advantage. Consideration of dimensions and synthesis of the separate aspects of the design are shown to reduce the performance testing needed during development. The valve is modelled as a convergent-divergent nozzle of variable area ratio, controlled by fluid and system dynamics. Flow and force characteristics have been produced which suggest a new design philosophy. A report is made of completed and ongoing work aimed at demonstrating the benefits of using flow and force characteristics for design and development of high-lift relief valves, which are mainly used under conditions of compressible flow.