Pressure relief valves can be installed in which configuration?

Pressure relief valves are designed to protect equipment and systems from overpressure by releasing excess pressure. They can be installed in several configurations, one of which is in parallel.

When pressure relief valves are installed in parallel, it allows for the individual valves to operate independently. This means that if one valve opens due to excess pressure, the others can remain closed and still serve their purpose, thereby providing added redundancy and reliability to the system. This configuration is particularly useful in applications where continuous operation is critical, permitting maintenance or testing of one valve without affecting the system's overall pressure relief capability.

While standalone units can certainly operate independently, the effectiveness of pressure relief in maintaining system safety is enhanced when multiple valves are used together, particularly in a parallel setup. This allows for a greater total flow capacity for relieving pressure when conditions demand it.

Other configurations, such as having valves only in series or in a closed system, do not provide the same benefits. Series configurations may not adequately handle excessive pressure because the pressure must rise to the point that it opens the first valve before the second can engage. In a closed system, introducing a pressure relief valve would defeat its very purpose, as the valve needs an outlet for the released pressure to effectively protect the system. Thus, the