How Pressure Regulators work
Why is it important to regulate
Pressure in a Piping System?
Pressure is one of the
most important
aspects of ANY piping
system. If pressure is
too low, for example,
the system is
powerless. And if it is
too high
Just as high blood pressure
damages the vital organs in
your piping system,
overpressure affects filters,
tools, sprayheads,
instrumentsany vital tool
in a liquid piping system.
Purpose of a Pressure Regulator
Imagine having an
employee who
continuously monitors
a single pressure
gauge, and constantly
tweaks a valve as
downstream pressure
rises or falls past a
pre-determined point.
A Pressure Regulator Works
Automatically
and it wont get carpal-tunnel. It simply
reacts to changes in pressure.
Uses of a Pressure Regulator:
1. As a control element, to ensure that
downstream pressure does not exceed a
set point.
2. As a safety device, to protect equipment
from harmful overpressure.
3. Regulate to the correct pressure range
so that a flow system or piece of
equipment can operate safely and
effectively.
Remember this simple definition:
A pressure regulator is a normally-open valve
that takes a high inlet pressure and converts it to a
lower, pre-set downstream pressure.
How it Works
A Set Screw
is used to set the desired pressure.
It does this by controlling the force
of non-wetted steel springs
The springs are attached to, and the
force of the springs presses down,
the main shaft
The valve seat
INLET
is part of the main shaft, and thus is
held open by the force of the
springs.
How it Works continues
OUTLET
While the spring is holding the valve open and liquid is flowing
through, a small tube near the valve outlet called the sensing
orifice transmits downstream pressure into a chamber.
PRESSURE
CHAMBER
SENSING
ORIFICE
Because pressure is equal in all directions, the pressure in
the chamber is identical to downstream pressure.
The key to this pressure chamber is a large Rolling Diaphragm. It
rolls upward as pressure increases, and back down as pressure
decreases
ROLLING
DIAPHRAGM
PRESSURE
CHAMBER
SENSING
ORIFICE
VALVE OUTLET
In other words, it moves up and down in direct response to changes
in downstream pressure.
The Rolling Diaphragm is attached to the Main Shaft that we
mentioned earlier which as you recall, is held down by spring
force, which in turn holds the valve open.
SPRING
FORCE
VALVE IS
HELD OPEN
M
A
I
N
S
H
A
F
T
ROLLING
DIAPHRAGM
PRESSURE
CHAMBER
SENSING
ORIFICE
VALVE
OUTLET
But when pressure at the outlet increases
as downstream pressure increases, the force on the rolling
diaphragm increases, in direct opposition to the spring force...
When downstream pressure exceeds the spring force, the rolling
diaphragm overpowers the springs.
This compresses the springs and forces up the main shaft...
The valve seat, as
part of the main
shaft, closes against
the main internal
orifice, preventing
additional pressure
downstream.
It will remain closed as
long as downstream
pressure exceeds the set
point, as determined by
the set screw controlling
the force on the springs.
When downstream
pressure falls below
the set point, the
valve begins to reopen as the springs
again force the main
shaft down. Flow
resumes.
.
Although accurate, the preceding
explanation is overly simplified. In
most applications, a properly set
pressure regulator quickly finds a
balance as long as inlet pressure
is higher and relatively constant, and
downstream conditions are stable.
The valve stays partially open, with
the force of the downstream pressure
against the rolling diaphragm and the
force of the internal springs in a state
of equilibrium.
As events occur downstream
When a faucet is
closed downstream,
pressure will build
in the downstream
pipeline and at the
outlet of the
regulator. If the
closed faucet causes
downstream
pressure to build to
the set point, the
regulator will close
until the pressure
drops.
Similarly
When the faucet is
re-opened, pressure
will drop in the
downstream
pipeline and at the
outlet of the
regulator. The
spring will force the
regulator open, and
pressure will seek
the desired level
downstream.
Actual downstream pressure
will depend on many
variables, including flow rate,
inlet pressure, and other
factors.
What a Pressure Regulator
WONT Do:
(common misconceptions)
1. It cant convert a low inlet pressure to a
higher downstream pressure it wont
function like a pump.
2. It wont control backpressure.
Advantages of Plast-O-Matic
Pressure Regulators
Most pressure regulators impede flow
while sensing pressure. The sensing
orifice and pressure sensing chamber in a
Plast-O-Matic regulator are not in the
flow path flow is unrestricted and much
higher than competitive designs.
Large sensing area of the rolling
diaphragm provides smoother, more
accurate control.
Advantages, continued
U-cups used in place of o-rings provide smooth,
non-sticking movement of the main shaft.
Greater accuracy & repeatability achieved via
springs matched to the pressure range of the
application.
Overall design large flowpath, large sensing area,
more sensitive springs all combine to provide the
best performing pressure regulators since 1967.
No wetted metals. All-plastic wetted designs are
essential for corrosive and ultra-pure applications.
End of part Istay tuned for sizing and selecting regulators!
