What Is a Breather Valve?

A breather valve(pressure/vacuum relief valve) is designed to protect storage tanks, process systems, and equipment from excessive pressure and vacuum conditions. These valves allow for the controlled venting of gases or vapors and help to maintain a safe working environment by preventing tank damage and minimizing product loss due to evaporation​​​​.

How Do Breather Valves Work?

Breather valves work by using weight-loaded or spring-loaded pallets to control the flow through the valve. When the internal pressure or vacuum reaches a set point, the pallet lifts off the seat to allow flow. This prevents emission losses until very close to the set pressure and prevents air intake until very close to the set vacuum​​.

What Are The Benefits of Using Breather Valve?

  1. High flow capacity from a compact valve size.
  2. Wide range of pressure and vacuum settings for maximum tank protection.
  3. Minimization of gas loss and evaporation, resulting in economic savings.
  4. Compliance with stringent emission control regulations.
  5. Modular design allows for customization to specific requirements​​​​.

What Materials Are Breather Valves Made From?

Breather valves can be constructed from various materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, ductile iron, and alloys such as C276. The choice of material depends on the specific application and the type of media being handled​​​.

What Are Common Applications of Breather Valves?

Common applications include protecting storage tanks in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemical processing, and petrochemical industries. They are also used in systems where vapors need to be piped away or vented to the atmosphere​​​.

What Standards Do Breather Valves Comply With?

Breather valves are designed and tested according to standards such as API 2000:2014 and EN ISO 28300:2016. They also meet European Directive 2014/34/EU for equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)​​​​.

How Do I Select the Right Breather Valve For My Application?

Selecting the right breather valve involves considering factors such as tank size, media characteristics (flash point, boiling point, latent heat of vaporization, molecular mass), location, maximum filling and emptying rates, and the required set pressure and vacuum settings. Consulting with a Yee Valve expert and using a valve sizing service can help ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness​​​​.

What Maintenance Is Required for Breather Valves?

Regular inspection and maintenance are necessary to ensure breather valves operate correctly. This includes checking for any blockages, ensuring the pallets and seats are clean and free of debris, and verifying that the set pressures and vacuums are accurate. Maintenance procedures should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain safety and efficiency​​​​.

What Is a Flame Arrester?

A flame arrester is a safety device installed in equipment that contains flammable gases or vapors. It prevents the propagation of flames and explosions by quenching the flame front before it can reach the protected side of the device.

How Do Flame Arresters Work?

Flame arresters function by cooling the flame front through a series of narrow passages or “quenching gaps.” These gaps are designed to be small enough to extinguish the flame while allowing gases to pass through.

What Are the Different Types of Flame Arresters?

  • Deflagration Flame Arresters: Protect against explosions where the flame propagates at subsonic velocities.
  • Penangkap Api Detonasi: Designed for more severe conditions where the flame front travels at supersonic speeds, producing shock waves.
  • End-of-Line Flame Arresters: Installed at the end of a pipeline to protect against external sources of ignition.
  • In-Line Flame Arresters: Installed within the pipeline to prevent the spread of flames within the piping system.

Where Are Flame Arresters Typically Used?

Flame arresters are commonly used in systems for generating, storing, and transporting flammable gases and liquids, such as chemical processing plants, oil refineries, gas storage facilities, and pipelines.

What Maintenance Is Required for Flame Arresters?

Regular inspection and maintenance are essential for flame arresters to function correctly. Key maintenance tasks include:

  • Initial inspection three months after commissioning.
  • Annual inspections as a minimum for clean processes.
  • Additional inspections if an explosion is detected or if there are signs of damage or corrosion.
  • Cleaning to remove debris, insects, or corrosion that can block the quenching elements​​​​.

What Should Be Checked During Flame Arrester Maintenance?

  • Ensure the flame arrester is correctly installed according to the operating conditions.
  • Verify that no unauthorized modifications have been made.
  • Check for blockages, corrosion, and mechanical damage.
  • Confirm that all fasteners are secure and tightened to the required torque.
  • Record all maintenance activities accurately.

What Are The Consequences of Poor Maintenance?

Poorly maintained flame arresters can fail to provide adequate protection against explosions, potentially leading to catastrophic equipment damage and safety hazards. Common issues include blocked elements, severe corrosion, and mechanical damage, which can impair the flame arrester’s effectiveness​​​​​​.

Can Flame Arresters Be Used in Any Type of Piping System?

Flame arresters must be used under the specific conditions they were designed and tested for. They are available in various configurations to suit different piping systems, and the correct model should be selected based on the type of gas, operating pressure, and temperature range​​​.

What Are The Key Considerations When Installing Flame Arresters?

  • Ensure compatibility with the process conditions, including gas type and pressure.
  • Follow torque guidelines for flanged connections.
  • Position the flame arrester correctly to facilitate future maintenance.
  • Check for leaks after installation to ensure a proper seal.

Are There Any Specific Warnings For Handling Flame Arresters?

  • Do not use lifting eyebolts to lift the entire flame arrester assembly; they are only for handling the housing during inspection and maintenance.
  • Avoid piping drainage, instrumentation, and cleanout connections to a common line to prevent flame bypass.
  • Replace damaged flame elements immediately as they can render the flame arrester ineffective​​​​.

What Are Your Payment Terms?

  • Pay 30% in advance and 70% before shipment by T.T. (Standard Products)
  • Pay 100% in advance by T.T. (Special Products)
  • 100% L/C at sight from special customers and L/C should be issued from the world’s first-class bank. (Special Markets)

Are You A Factory Or Trading Company?

At Yee Valve, we are a family-owned business expertly integrating manufacturing and trading of industrial valves. Our strategic headquarters are in Taipei, Taiwan, supported by three state-of-the-art factories in mainland China.

history of valve company

How Long Is Your Product Warranty?

All valves from Yee Valve are covered with a 12 months warranty from the date of installation or 18 months warranty from the shipment date, whichever comes earlier. The scope of the warranty is covered for manufacturing defects only. If a valve failure is due to incorrect operation by the customer, the warranty is not applicable.

How To Protect Our Rights?

All shipment products are documented, and we provide OEM services to many brands without any information about our manufacturer of the goods. Any drawings, operating instructions, test reports, etc., belong to the brand owner.

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