Pilot Valves – An Exploration of Industrial Technology

The applications considered above outline when and where you might use a pilot-operated PRV (pressure relief valve), but we want to give you a bit more guidance. There are a few important benefits to this type of solution.

A pilot-operated solution can greatly reduce exposure limits and reduce release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to the environment. Unmistakably, this is a crucial consideration when your processes are heavily in and/or are regulated by the release of VOCs, such as in the petrochemical industry. If your processes are under environmental scrutiny, then you have to consider the release of VOCs at all points in your process.

These environmental factors and the ability to operate processes closer to the set pressure of your relief devices make pilot-operated PRVs a worthy consideration.

As we have seen in this overview, pilot-operated valves have many applications, most commonly seen as pressure or safety relief valves. Pilot valves can be trusted to maintain a safe and optimal pressure without interrupting everyday operations—even allowing your process to run very close to the set pressure of the relief valve.

The main benefits derive from the pilot valve’s ability to be used in high-capacity situations in which large forces act on the valve internals. Consequently, this allows for smaller valves to be used in flow processes, whereas larger valves would typically be necessary for such applications.

Pilot valves are a reliable piece of equipment found in various industries around the world. If you are involved in high-capacity processes, these valves can be a valuable asset that ensures safe, environmentally conscious, and efficient production.