High-Pressure Valves: Working Principle & Function

What is a High Pressure Valve?

High-pressure valves are utilized in a wide range of industries, from global oil production (of which the United States produces roughly 13 percent) to aerospace manufacturing. Their duty is to keep system pressures below a safe upper limit, and they're found in practically every hydraulic system.

For safe and efficient operation, control and regulating valves are required in systems with positive displacement pumps. While the delivery rate of a centrifugal pump is determined by the system operating pressure, the delivery rate of a positive displacement pump is determined by displacement and speed, and is almost pressure independent (only influenced by the compressibility of the medium to be pumped at higher delivery pressures).

By turning consumers on and off in the high-pressure system (e.g., by closing spray guns or nozzle heads), the system pressure would rapidly rise, resulting in overpressure without corresponding valves and hence a high-pressure system defect. Every high-pressure system requires safety and work valves to effectively prevent this.

When setting up a high-pressure valve, one of the first topics to consider is how it will be powered.

How to Power a High Pressure Valve

Pneumatic or electric power can be used to operate these valves. An actuator, which is normally bolted to the top of the valve, delivers power to the valve.

• A pneumatic actuator receives a pneumatic signal from a pressure pilot (gas or compressed air) and adjusts the valve accordingly.
• An Electric Pilot or RTU sends an electrical signal to an electric actuator. Based on that signal, the actuator subsequently drives that valve to a matching level.
• Electric actuation has two main advantages: zero-emission operation and automation capability.
• Operation with zero emissions. During operation, no emissions are discharged into the atmosphere since an electric actuator uses electricity rather than natural gas.
• Automation: Electric actuators may send and receive position feedback, allowing you to monitor and control your valves from afar.

High Pressure Valves Applications

These valves are utilized in a number of applications in the oil and gas industry. Dump valves, suction controllers, back pressure valves, and recirculation valves are just a few examples.

To talk to one of our Experts about which valves are best for your operation, Linquip offers a wide variety of Distributors and Equipment for Sale of High Pressure valves.

High Pressure Valve Functions

The functions of high-pressure valves in high-pressure technology systems are categorized according to the type of valve employed in these systems. These responsibilities can be summed up as follows:

• Safety valves: These valves prevent an unacceptably high increase in pressure by opening when the operating pressure is exceeded and closing reliably and tightly after the pressure is released.
• Bypass valves: These valves open the pressure line in the suction line's direction. This permits the pump to start up without any pressure and then switch to a pressure-free mode.
• Consumer shut-off valves: These valves turn on and off consumer lines in the face of excessive pressure.
• Overflow valves: Allow surplus volume to flow out without pressure while maintaining the system's operational pressure.

• Cut-off valves: These valves are used to shut off consumer lines in the event of suction or circulation pressure.
• When individual consumers are turned off in a multi-consumer operation, pressure maintenance valves keep the system pressure constant.
• Valves to check: Prevent the pumped medium from returning to the source.
• Changeover valves are used to alternately regulate two consumers (3/2-way valve).

High Pressure Valve Types

There are five main types of high pressure valves in general; let's have a look at each one.

Relief: Fluid power systems have a pressure range that they function within. This range is determined by the forces that the system must generate in order to complete the task; if these forces are not controlled or limited, they might harm the (sometimes expensive) equipment and fluid power components. Relief valves serve as safety valves, limiting maximum pressure by diverting surplus oil when pressures rise too high.

Reducing: When it comes to maintaining secondary, lower pressure in a hydraulic system, reducing valves are the most practical components. When exposed to adequate downstream pressure, they're the only high-pressure valve on our list that stays open and closes. Direct acting and pilot operation are the two types.

Sequence: Because some circuits have multiple actuators (such as cylinders), they must be driven in a specific order or sequence. This is accomplished by the employment of limit switches, timers, and other electrical control devices.

Counterbalance: These high-pressure valves are typically used to set pressure in a circuit to counterbalance weight or external force. The main part of the valve is linked to the rod end of the cylinder, and the pressure setting is slightly greater than what is needed to keep the weight from free-falling.

Unloading: Unloading valves are used to unload pumps, as one might expect. They route pump output flow (which is generally the output of one pump in a multi-pump system) directly to a low-pressure reservoir after system pressure is attained. The valve spool shifts and diverts pump output to the reservoir when an external pilot signal acting on the opposite end of the valve spool provides a force greater than that exerted by the spring.

You can find a great deal of High Pressure valve Companies and Manufacturers in Linquip, along with expert Service Providers.

High Pressure Valves and Their Characteristics

High-pressure valves have a variety of characteristics, some of which can be combined. Our experts in high-pressure technology valves will be pleased to assist you.

• Protection against explosions: Suitable for use in potentially explosive environments (ATEX).
• Cascadable: Allows many valves to be connected to construct a full valve station.
• Water that has been deionized: This product can be used with deionized water.
• Seawater: This product is suitable for use with seawater.
• Gap seal without silicone: Ensures accurate repeatability of the set pressure.
• Electro-pneumatic control: Utilizes the valve's switching command and pressure adjustment.
• Position sensing: Constantly senses the valve's present position.