Relief Valve Disc Grooves for Low-Pressure Simmer Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spring-operated pressure relief valves experience simmering issues, leading to increased time between crack and popping pressures, which can result in higher overpressure requirements and product loss, especially at low set pressures operating with compressible or incompressible media.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a disc insert with corrugated grooves near the seat region, which divert fluid flow into small chambers, converting momentum into supplemental upward forces to reduce simmering without the need for a nozzle ring, thereby enhancing valve performance and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spring-operated pressure relief valves are used, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve experiences simmering issues leading to increased time between crack and popping pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The valve disc is segmented into a main disc body and a separate insert component. The insert features corrugated grooves that divide the fluid flow path into multiple small chambers, creating localized flow control zones that reduce simmering and improve operational stability without requiring a nozzle ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated grooves are positioned specifically in the seat region where fluid flow causes simmering. This localized feature modifies fluid dynamics only in the critical area near the valve seat, converting momentum into supplemental upward forces where needed without affecting the overall valve structure.
2Reliability
If a nozzle ring is added to reduce simmering, then valve performance is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert with corrugated grooves is integrated directly into the valve disc structure, merging the flow control function with the existing disc component. This eliminates the need for a separate nozzle ring assembly, reducing part count and simplifying manufacturing and installation while maintaining simmer reduction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed as a separate component that can be extracted and installed into the valve disc without requiring removal of the entire valve or complex assembly procedures. This modular approach reduces installation complexity and cost compared to integrating a nozzle ring.
3Reliability
If a nozzle ring is used to reduce simmering, then valve stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is merged with the valve disc as a single integrated component, combining the disc body and flow control features into one piece. This reduces the number of separate components compared to a nozzle ring system, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining stability improvements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces valve simmering by providing consistent force augmentation throughout valve lift, reducing manufacturing and installation costs, and maintaining performance without the need for precise adjustments or additional mechanisms, thus stabilizing valve operation at low mass flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
divert fluid flow into small chambers, converting momentum into supplemental upward forces to reduce simmering
Data Source
AI summary
A spring-operated relief valve can include a biasing assembly, a valve inlet, a valve seat, and a disc assembly that is biased toward the valve seat by the biasing assembly. A fluid guide, such as a groove or chamber, can be formed at the interface between the valve seat and the disc assembly. The fluid guide can be configured to direct fluid that flows across the valve seat to provide an upward force on the disc assembly during a relief event.