What is the reason for installing a safety valve at the inlet of a high-pressure centrifugal pump?
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Why is a safety valve installed at the inlet of a high-pressure centrifugal pump? Where is the best place for it to be directed? To the buffer tank or to the low-pressure equipment ahead?
To prevent the pressure relief valve on the return line from failing and high-pressure gas from entering the compressor’s inlet, it is generally possible to route it back to the equipment before the buffer tank. This post was last edited by xphqse on 2008-2-22 13:10]
I’ve really never seen a safety valve installed at the inlet of a high-pressure centrifugal pump; it’s necessary to have a check valve on the outlet pipeline of such pumps. When the head is high, two check valves should be used to prevent backflow of pressure. The normal inlet valve of a centrifugal pump is left open, and the inlet equipment must be equipped with pressure relief safety devices. When the inlet valve is closed, the pump’s discharge valve also opens! Please share where you saw it or under what conditions, so it’s easier for everyone to discuss!
I use a multi-stage pump for the boiler; there are valves before and after the pump, with the inlet not being a safety valve. At the outlet, a globe valve and two check valves are used in series – something I’ve never seen as described by the original poster.
To be specific, I’ve never seen one built!
Safety valves are installed at the inlet of the high-pressure centrifugal pumps in our hydrogenation unit. The foreigners explained that these valves serve to prevent pressure from flowing back, thereby avoiding damage to the valves and the pump’s seals. Pressure can flow back through: the return line and the minimum flow line. 1) If the backup pump is kept in operation continuously and the check valve at its outlet leaks, 2) When the main pump starts, the sudden increase in pressure can damage the seals of both the main pump and the backup pump, 3) A sudden rise in pressure in the outlet system. Any problem in any part of the high-pressure system can lead to shutdowns, and repairs can be very difficult. It is for this reason that safety valves are installed.
There are already a few posts on this topic in the forum; just do a search and you’ll see. Many people there have explained it quite clearly. It is to prevent pressure backflow from damaging the inlet.