Method and system for testing safety relief valves
First Claim
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1. A method for testing a safety relief valve comprising the steps of:
- (a) disposing a first pressure vessel in fluid communication with a reservoir of high pressure fluid;
(b) disposing between the first pressure vessel and the reservoir, a first means for controlling the fluid flow between the first pressure vessel and the reservoir;
(c) maintaining the pressure of the high pressure fluid in the reservoir at a substantially greater pressure than the pressure in the first pressure vessel;
(d) disposing the safety relief valve in unrestricted fluid communication with a second pressure vessel;
the second pressure vessel being disposed between the first pressure vessel and the safety relief valve, the first pressure vessel having a larger volume than the second pressure vessel;
(e) disposing between the first and second pressure vessels, a second means for controlling fluid flow between the first and second pressure vessels;
(f) metering high pressure fluid from the reservoir through the first and second pressure vessels and into the safety relief valve, by utilizing the fluid flow control means, to provide the necessary fluid pressure in the second pressure vessel to open the safety relief valve, and to provide a sufficient, variable volume of fluid through the safety relief valve to prevent the safety relief valve from simmering and damaging the safety relief valve upon closing.
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Abstract
A method and system for testing safety relief valves utilizes a reservoir of high pressure fluid which is metered into a smaller pressure vessel in communication with the safety relief valve to be tested. The method and system permits a safety relief valve to be tested with air as well as water.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for testing a safety relief valve comprising the steps of:
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(a) disposing a first pressure vessel in fluid communication with a reservoir of high pressure fluid; (b) disposing between the first pressure vessel and the reservoir, a first means for controlling the fluid flow between the first pressure vessel and the reservoir; (c) maintaining the pressure of the high pressure fluid in the reservoir at a substantially greater pressure than the pressure in the first pressure vessel; (d) disposing the safety relief valve in unrestricted fluid communication with a second pressure vessel;
the second pressure vessel being disposed between the first pressure vessel and the safety relief valve, the first pressure vessel having a larger volume than the second pressure vessel;(e) disposing between the first and second pressure vessels, a second means for controlling fluid flow between the first and second pressure vessels; (f) metering high pressure fluid from the reservoir through the first and second pressure vessels and into the safety relief valve, by utilizing the fluid flow control means, to provide the necessary fluid pressure in the second pressure vessel to open the safety relief valve, and to provide a sufficient, variable volume of fluid through the safety relief valve to prevent the safety relief valve from simmering and damaging the safety relief valve upon closing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for testing a safety relief valve comprising:
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(a) a first pressure vessel; (b) a second pressure vessel, the first pressure vessel having a larger volume than the second pressure vessel; (c) means for releasably securing the safety relief valve in fluid communication with the second pressure vessel; (d) first means for controlling high pressure fluid flow into the first pressure vessel; (e) a first fluid passageway connecting, and disposed between, the first and second pressure vessels; (f) a second fluid passageway connecting, and disposed between the releasable securing means and second pressure vessel; and (g) second means for controlling fluid flow between the first and second pressure vessels and into the safety relief valve, the second fluid flow control means being associated with the first fluid passageway, whereby upon operation and opening of the first and second fluid control means, high pressure fluid from the first and second pressure vessels enters and opens the safety relief valve. and to provide a sufficient variable volume of fluid through the safety relief valve to prevent said safety relief valve from simmering and damages upon closing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification