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Usage of Breather Valves with Outlet Pipes
Breather valves with outlet pipes are key equipment in tank safety systems. Their core function is to maintain stable pressure inside the tank (preventing overpressure or negative pressure) while directing the medium discharged during overpressure (such as oil and gas, steam, etc.) through the "outlet pipe" to avoid direct diffusion of the medium into the surrounding environment. Their usage must follow standardized operating procedures, and their advantages focus on safety, environmental protection, and applicability. The specific details are as follows:
I. Usage of Breather Valves with Outlet Pipes
The usage of breather valves with outlet pipes covers the entire cycle of "installation - commissioning - daily operation - maintenance". The core is to ensure that the valve operates accurately according to the preset pressure value and that the directional exhaust function of the outlet pipe works properly.
1. Installation Phase: Ensuring Compliance of Basic Functions
Selection of Installation Location: The valve must be installed vertically on the vent or breathing manifold at the top of the tank to ensure unobstructed communication between the valve body and the tank. The outlet of the outlet pipe must be directed in accordance with specifications (e.g., pointing to an open area free of open flames and human activities, or connected to a flare system or recovery device). It is necessary to avoid the exhaust direction facing operating platforms, electrical equipment, or surrounding sensitive environments.
Requirements for Pipe Connection Matching: The diameter of the outlet pipe must match the outlet diameter of the breather valve (usually not smaller than the valve outlet diameter), and the inner wall of the pipe must be smooth. This avoids increased exhaust resistance caused by reduced pipe diameter or rough inner walls, which could affect the exhaust efficiency of the valve during overpressure.
Sealing and Fixing: When connecting the valve to the tank flange, a compliant sealing gasket (such as an oil-resistant asbestos gasket or PTFE gasket, selected based on the medium characteristics) must be used. Bolts should be tightened evenly to prevent medium leakage from the connection surface. The outlet pipe must be fixed with brackets to avoid deformation or displacement of the pipe due to vibration or wind force.
2. Commissioning Phase: Calibrating Pressure Operation Values
Pressure Setting Calibration: Based on the tank's design pressure (overpressure protection value, negative pressure protection value), calibrate the "outlet pressure" (the pressure at which the valve opens when the tank is overpressurized) and "suction pressure" (the pressure at which the valve opens when the tank is under negative pressure) using the adjusting bolts on the top of the valve. Ensure the values are consistent with the tank's safety requirements (e.g., if the tank's design overpressure value is 0.15MPa, the outlet pressure should be set to 0.14-0.15MPa to reserve a safety margin).
Operation Test: During commissioning, simulate overpressure (e.g., slowly pressurize the tank) to observe whether the valve opens at the set pressure and whether the outlet pipe exhausts smoothly. Then simulate negative pressure (e.g., extract part of the medium from the tank) to check if the valve's suction operation is normal, ensuring reliable two-way pressure control.
3. Daily Operation: No Active Operation Required, Only Status Monitoring
Normal Operation Monitoring: No manual active operation of the valve is required daily. It is only necessary to regularly check the valve body's appearance (no leakage, rust), the outlet pipe (no blockage, deformation), and indirectly determine whether the valve operates normally through the tank pressure gauge (e.g., if the tank pressure remains within the normal range, it indicates the valve does not start and stop frequently; if the pressure rises abnormally, check if the valve is stuck).
Response to Special Scenarios: When the tank is filled too quickly (which may cause rapid overpressure) or discharged too quickly (which may cause rapid negative pressure), strengthen pressure monitoring. If frequent exhaust of the valve is found, check whether the filling/discharging rate exceeds the tank's design load to avoid the valve being in a high-frequency operation state for a long time.
4. Maintenance Phase: Ensuring Long-Term Reliable Operation
Regular Cleaning: Disassemble the valve every 3-6 months (adjusted based on the contamination degree of the medium) to clean the valve disc, valve seat sealing surface, and the interior of the outlet pipe. Remove impurities and scale residue from the medium (such as colloids and dust in oil and gas) to prevent wear on the sealing surface or blockage of the pipe, which could affect exhaust/suction efficiency.
Inspection and Replacement of Seals: Check if the valve disc sealing ring and flange gasket are aged or damaged. If there are signs of deformation or leakage, promptly replace the seals with those of the same model and material to ensure sealing reliability.
Pressure Re-Calibration: Conduct pressure operation value re-calibration at least once a year. If deviations in the set pressure are found (e.g., the outlet pressure is lower than the design value, causing premature exhaust; or higher than the design value, increasing the risk of tank overpressure), re-calibrate using the adjusting bolts to ensure compliance with safety standards.
II. Core Advantages of Breather Valves with Outlet Pipes
Compared with ordinary breather valves without pipes, breather valves with outlet pipes have significant improvements in safety protection, environmental compliance, and scenario adaptability, specifically categorized into the following 4 types:
1. Safety Advantages: Directional Exhaust, Reducing Risks
Preventing Direct Contact Between Medium and Open Flames/Persons: For tanks storing flammable, explosive, or toxic media (such as gasoline, diesel, solvents), if the medium discharged during overpressure diffuses directly, it may encounter open flames and cause explosions, or come into contact with personnel and cause poisoning. The outlet pipe can direct the medium to a safe area (such as an open space or flare incineration system), cutting off the contact path between the "medium and open flames/persons" at the source.
Reducing Exhaust Impact and Corrosion: The directional pipe can guide the exhaust flow, avoiding direct impact of high-pressure airflow on other equipment at the top of the tank (such as pressure gauges, level gauges). At the same time, it prevents corrosive media discharged (such as acidic gases, sulfur-containing steam) from directly spraying on the tank body or surrounding equipment, reducing the equipment corrosion rate.
2. Environmental Advantages: Centralized Treatment, Reducing Pollution
Adapting to Medium Recovery/Treatment Systems: The outlet pipe can be directly connected to a medium recovery device (such as an oil-gas recovery system) or waste gas treatment equipment (such as an activated carbon adsorption tower, incinerator) to achieve integration of "exhaust - recovery/purification". For example, the outlet pipe of a gas station tank is connected to an oil-gas recovery pump, which can recover and reuse the discharged gasoline vapor, avoiding VOCs (volatile organic compounds) emissions from polluting the atmosphere and complying with environmental regulations (e.g., GB 20950-2020 Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Oil Depots).
Controlling Exhaust Diffusion Range: For scenarios without recovery needs, the outlet pipe can direct exhaust to a higher place (e.g., 3-5 meters above the tank top) or the downwind direction, reducing the concentration of the medium in the operating area and minimizing pollution to the surrounding air and soil (e.g., for tanks storing ammonia water, the discharged ammonia gas is directed to a higher place through the pipe to avoid ammonia accumulation on the ground causing discomfort to personnel).
3. Performance Advantages: Stable Exhaust, Ensuring Tank Safety
Reducing Exhaust Resistance, Improving Overpressure Protection Efficiency: The linear flow channel design of the outlet pipe (compared to the non-piped open structure of ordinary breather valves) can reduce airflow turbulence and exhaust resistance, ensuring that the medium is discharged quickly when the tank is overpressurized. This prevents the tank pressure from continuing to rise beyond the design pressure limit due to poor exhaust.
Preventing Foreign Object Intrusion, Extending Valve Service Life: A rain cap or dust screen (ensuring no impact on exhaust) can be installed at the outlet of the outlet pipe to prevent foreign objects such as rainwater, dust, and insects from entering the breather valve. This avoids valve disc jamming and wear on the sealing surface, reducing the probability of valve failure and extending its service life.
4. Scenario Adaptability Advantages: Suitable for Complex Working Conditions
Tanks with High-Risk Media: Particularly suitable for tanks storing flammable, explosive, toxic, harmful, or corrosive media (such as chemical tanks, oil-gas tanks, hazardous material tanks), meeting both safety and environmental requirements.
Confined Spaces or Sensitive Areas: In scenarios with dense factories, surrounding residential areas, or ecologically sensitive areas, the outlet pipe can direct exhaust or connect to treatment systems to avoid medium emissions affecting the surrounding environment, complying with regional safety and environmental planning.
High-Pressure or Large-Capacity Tanks: For tanks with large volumes (e.g., over 1000m³) and high design pressures, the outlet pipe can ensure that a large amount of medium is discharged quickly and directionally during overpressure, preventing safety accidents caused by uncontrolled exhaust.
III. Summary of Applicable Scenarios
Breather valves with outlet pipes are widely used in tank systems with strict requirements for safety protection and environmental emissions. Typical scenarios include:
Petrochemical industry: Crude oil tanks, gasoline/diesel tanks, solvent tanks (e.g., ethanol, methanol tanks);
Chemical industry: Acid-base tanks (e.g., sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide tanks), toxic medium tanks (e.g., chlorine, ammonia tanks);
Energy industry: LNG tanks (insulation must be considered for the outlet pipe of low-temperature media), lubricating oil tanks;
Hazardous material storage: Various hazardous chemical tanks (complying with standards such as GB 15577-2018 Safety Code for Dust Explosion Prevention).
In conclusion, the core value of breather valves with outlet pipes lies in: on the basis of the basic function of "maintaining stable tank pressure", the "directional pipe" design realizes "safe exhaust, environmental protection treatment, and performance optimization", making them key equipment in tank safety systems under complex working conditions.
Usage of Breather Valves with Outlet Pipes
Breather valves with outlet pipes are key equipment in tank safety systems. Their core function is to maintain stable pressure inside the tank (preventing overpressure or negative pressure) while directing the medium discharged during overpressure (such as oil and gas, steam, etc.) through the "outlet pipe" to avoid direct diffusion of the medium into the surrounding environment. Their usage must follow standardized operating procedures, and their advantages focus on safety, environmental protection, and applicability. The specific details are as follows:
I. Usage of Breather Valves with Outlet Pipes
The usage of breather valves with outlet pipes covers the entire cycle of "installation - commissioning - daily operation - maintenance". The core is to ensure that the valve operates accurately according to the preset pressure value and that the directional exhaust function of the outlet pipe works properly.
1. Installation Phase: Ensuring Compliance of Basic Functions
Selection of Installation Location: The valve must be installed vertically on the vent or breathing manifold at the top of the tank to ensure unobstructed communication between the valve body and the tank. The outlet of the outlet pipe must be directed in accordance with specifications (e.g., pointing to an open area free of open flames and human activities, or connected to a flare system or recovery device). It is necessary to avoid the exhaust direction facing operating platforms, electrical equipment, or surrounding sensitive environments.
Requirements for Pipe Connection Matching: The diameter of the outlet pipe must match the outlet diameter of the breather valve (usually not smaller than the valve outlet diameter), and the inner wall of the pipe must be smooth. This avoids increased exhaust resistance caused by reduced pipe diameter or rough inner walls, which could affect the exhaust efficiency of the valve during overpressure.
Sealing and Fixing: When connecting the valve to the tank flange, a compliant sealing gasket (such as an oil-resistant asbestos gasket or PTFE gasket, selected based on the medium characteristics) must be used. Bolts should be tightened evenly to prevent medium leakage from the connection surface. The outlet pipe must be fixed with brackets to avoid deformation or displacement of the pipe due to vibration or wind force.
2. Commissioning Phase: Calibrating Pressure Operation Values
Pressure Setting Calibration: Based on the tank's design pressure (overpressure protection value, negative pressure protection value), calibrate the "outlet pressure" (the pressure at which the valve opens when the tank is overpressurized) and "suction pressure" (the pressure at which the valve opens when the tank is under negative pressure) using the adjusting bolts on the top of the valve. Ensure the values are consistent with the tank's safety requirements (e.g., if the tank's design overpressure value is 0.15MPa, the outlet pressure should be set to 0.14-0.15MPa to reserve a safety margin).
Operation Test: During commissioning, simulate overpressure (e.g., slowly pressurize the tank) to observe whether the valve opens at the set pressure and whether the outlet pipe exhausts smoothly. Then simulate negative pressure (e.g., extract part of the medium from the tank) to check if the valve's suction operation is normal, ensuring reliable two-way pressure control.
3. Daily Operation: No Active Operation Required, Only Status Monitoring
Normal Operation Monitoring: No manual active operation of the valve is required daily. It is only necessary to regularly check the valve body's appearance (no leakage, rust), the outlet pipe (no blockage, deformation), and indirectly determine whether the valve operates normally through the tank pressure gauge (e.g., if the tank pressure remains within the normal range, it indicates the valve does not start and stop frequently; if the pressure rises abnormally, check if the valve is stuck).
Response to Special Scenarios: When the tank is filled too quickly (which may cause rapid overpressure) or discharged too quickly (which may cause rapid negative pressure), strengthen pressure monitoring. If frequent exhaust of the valve is found, check whether the filling/discharging rate exceeds the tank's design load to avoid the valve being in a high-frequency operation state for a long time.
4. Maintenance Phase: Ensuring Long-Term Reliable Operation
Regular Cleaning: Disassemble the valve every 3-6 months (adjusted based on the contamination degree of the medium) to clean the valve disc, valve seat sealing surface, and the interior of the outlet pipe. Remove impurities and scale residue from the medium (such as colloids and dust in oil and gas) to prevent wear on the sealing surface or blockage of the pipe, which could affect exhaust/suction efficiency.
Inspection and Replacement of Seals: Check if the valve disc sealing ring and flange gasket are aged or damaged. If there are signs of deformation or leakage, promptly replace the seals with those of the same model and material to ensure sealing reliability.
Pressure Re-Calibration: Conduct pressure operation value re-calibration at least once a year. If deviations in the set pressure are found (e.g., the outlet pressure is lower than the design value, causing premature exhaust; or higher than the design value, increasing the risk of tank overpressure), re-calibrate using the adjusting bolts to ensure compliance with safety standards.
II. Core Advantages of Breather Valves with Outlet Pipes
Compared with ordinary breather valves without pipes, breather valves with outlet pipes have significant improvements in safety protection, environmental compliance, and scenario adaptability, specifically categorized into the following 4 types:
1. Safety Advantages: Directional Exhaust, Reducing Risks
Preventing Direct Contact Between Medium and Open Flames/Persons: For tanks storing flammable, explosive, or toxic media (such as gasoline, diesel, solvents), if the medium discharged during overpressure diffuses directly, it may encounter open flames and cause explosions, or come into contact with personnel and cause poisoning. The outlet pipe can direct the medium to a safe area (such as an open space or flare incineration system), cutting off the contact path between the "medium and open flames/persons" at the source.
Reducing Exhaust Impact and Corrosion: The directional pipe can guide the exhaust flow, avoiding direct impact of high-pressure airflow on other equipment at the top of the tank (such as pressure gauges, level gauges). At the same time, it prevents corrosive media discharged (such as acidic gases, sulfur-containing steam) from directly spraying on the tank body or surrounding equipment, reducing the equipment corrosion rate.
2. Environmental Advantages: Centralized Treatment, Reducing Pollution
Adapting to Medium Recovery/Treatment Systems: The outlet pipe can be directly connected to a medium recovery device (such as an oil-gas recovery system) or waste gas treatment equipment (such as an activated carbon adsorption tower, incinerator) to achieve integration of "exhaust - recovery/purification". For example, the outlet pipe of a gas station tank is connected to an oil-gas recovery pump, which can recover and reuse the discharged gasoline vapor, avoiding VOCs (volatile organic compounds) emissions from polluting the atmosphere and complying with environmental regulations (e.g., GB 20950-2020 Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Oil Depots).
Controlling Exhaust Diffusion Range: For scenarios without recovery needs, the outlet pipe can direct exhaust to a higher place (e.g., 3-5 meters above the tank top) or the downwind direction, reducing the concentration of the medium in the operating area and minimizing pollution to the surrounding air and soil (e.g., for tanks storing ammonia water, the discharged ammonia gas is directed to a higher place through the pipe to avoid ammonia accumulation on the ground causing discomfort to personnel).
3. Performance Advantages: Stable Exhaust, Ensuring Tank Safety
Reducing Exhaust Resistance, Improving Overpressure Protection Efficiency: The linear flow channel design of the outlet pipe (compared to the non-piped open structure of ordinary breather valves) can reduce airflow turbulence and exhaust resistance, ensuring that the medium is discharged quickly when the tank is overpressurized. This prevents the tank pressure from continuing to rise beyond the design pressure limit due to poor exhaust.
Preventing Foreign Object Intrusion, Extending Valve Service Life: A rain cap or dust screen (ensuring no impact on exhaust) can be installed at the outlet of the outlet pipe to prevent foreign objects such as rainwater, dust, and insects from entering the breather valve. This avoids valve disc jamming and wear on the sealing surface, reducing the probability of valve failure and extending its service life.
4. Scenario Adaptability Advantages: Suitable for Complex Working Conditions
Tanks with High-Risk Media: Particularly suitable for tanks storing flammable, explosive, toxic, harmful, or corrosive media (such as chemical tanks, oil-gas tanks, hazardous material tanks), meeting both safety and environmental requirements.
Confined Spaces or Sensitive Areas: In scenarios with dense factories, surrounding residential areas, or ecologically sensitive areas, the outlet pipe can direct exhaust or connect to treatment systems to avoid medium emissions affecting the surrounding environment, complying with regional safety and environmental planning.
High-Pressure or Large-Capacity Tanks: For tanks with large volumes (e.g., over 1000m³) and high design pressures, the outlet pipe can ensure that a large amount of medium is discharged quickly and directionally during overpressure, preventing safety accidents caused by uncontrolled exhaust.
III. Summary of Applicable Scenarios
Breather valves with outlet pipes are widely used in tank systems with strict requirements for safety protection and environmental emissions. Typical scenarios include:
Petrochemical industry: Crude oil tanks, gasoline/diesel tanks, solvent tanks (e.g., ethanol, methanol tanks);
Chemical industry: Acid-base tanks (e.g., sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide tanks), toxic medium tanks (e.g., chlorine, ammonia tanks);
Energy industry: LNG tanks (insulation must be considered for the outlet pipe of low-temperature media), lubricating oil tanks;
Hazardous material storage: Various hazardous chemical tanks (complying with standards such as GB 15577-2018 Safety Code for Dust Explosion Prevention).
In conclusion, the core value of breather valves with outlet pipes lies in: on the basis of the basic function of "maintaining stable tank pressure", the "directional pipe" design realizes "safe exhaust, environmental protection treatment, and performance optimization", making them key equipment in tank safety systems under complex working conditions.
