PSV Back Pressure

Pressure relief valves on clean non-toxic, non-corrosive systems may be vented directly to atmosphere. Pressure
relief valves on corrosive, toxic or valuable recoverable fluids are vented into closed systems. Valves that vent to
the atmosphere, either directly or through short vent stacks, are not subjected to elevated back pressure
conditions. For valves installed in a closed system, or when a long vent pipe is used, there is a possibility of
developing high back pressure. The back pressure on a pressure relief valve must always be evaluated and its
effect on valve performance and relieving capacity must be considered.
A review of the force balance on the disc Figure F2-2 shows that the force of fluid pressure acting on the inlet side
of the disc will be balanced by the force of the spring plus whatever pressure exists on the outlet side of the valve.
If pressure in the valve outlet varies while the valve is closed, the valve set pressure will change. If back pressure
varies while the valve is open and flowing, valve lift and flow rate through the valve can be affected. Care must be
taken in the design and application of pressure relief valves to compensate for these variations.
Conventional Valves
Back pressure which may occur in the downstream system while the valve is closed is called superimposed back
pressure. This back pressure may be a result of the valve outlet being connected to a normally pressurized system
or may be caused by other pressure relief valves venting into a common header. Compensation for superimposed
back pressure which is constant may be provided by reducing the spring force. Under this condition the force of
the spring plus back pressure acting on the disc would equal the force of the inlet set pressure acting to open the
disc. It must be remembered, however, that the value of the set pressure will vary directly with any change in back
pressure.
Balanced Bellows Valves and Balanced Piston Valves
When superimposed back pressure is variable, a balanced bellows or balanced piston design is recommended.
Typical balanced bellows and piston style valves are shown in Figure F2-5. The bellows or piston is designed with
an effective pressure area equal to the seat area of the disc. The bonnet is vented to ensure that the pressure area
of the bellows or piston will always be exposed to atmospheric pressure and to provide a telltale sign should the
bellows or piston begin to leak. Variations in back pressure, therefore, will have no effect on set pressure. Back
pressure may, however, affect flow.
Back pressure, which may occur after the valve is open and flowing, is called dynamic or built up back pressure.
This type of back pressure is caused by fluid flowing from the pressure relief valve through the downstream piping
system. Built up back pressure will not affect the valve opening pressure, but may have an effect on valve lift and
flow. On applications of 10% overpressure, balanced bellows or balanced piston designs are recommended when
built-up back pressure is expected to exceed 10% of the cold differential test pressure (CDTP).
In addition to offsetting the effects of variable back pressure, the bellows or piston acts to seal process fluid from
escaping to atmosphere and isolates the spring, bonnet and guiding surfaces from contacting the process fluid.
This is especially important for corrosive services.

By: Phichit B.
Piping Stress Engineer

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By: Phichit B.
Piping Stress Engineer

Page 2 of 2