Boiler safety valves do not always leak because they are faulty
There are other, more important things that can cause a boiler safety valve to drip without blaming the product
The safety valve for the boiler is an essential automatic component for the system. Its main role is to prevent the pressure from rising above an excessively dangerous value, which is about 3 bar for normal wall-mounted boilers: if this value is exceeded, the valve acts automatically going to discharge the excess pressure and bringing the system back to ideal operating conditions. In fact, if this device is not working, you could run the risk of having an excessive pressure on the pipe and this could lead to a sudden explosion with all the risks deriving from it both for the health of people who are in the vicinity and for the safety of the system itself.
The dripping of the safety valve for the boiler
Sometimes it may happen that the safety valve has persistent and constant dripping and one is led to think that the problem is due to the component itself and to its sub-optimal construction. This, however, is not entirely true and the problems that are downstream are usually different.
The main causes that can identify this type of problem are:
- Presence of limestone flakes released by the plant;
- Excessive cold pressure of the system;
- Incorrect inflation of the expansion vessel.
As for the first problem, limestone is formed inside the pipes and tends to be transported to the gasket area afterwards, a fundamental element for sealing the safety valve for the boiler. In this position, the limestone is placed under the gasket, not allowing perfect housing and functioning and therefore leading to dripping. The solution for this specific cause is given by cleaning the system which must be carried out with specific products aimed at eliminating this chemical compound.
The excessive cold pressure of the system is mainly due to the inexperience of the novice user who fails to load. The control and correction, in this case, are simple and consist in measuring and evaluating the pressure through a simple pressure gauge.
Last reason, even if in importance and gravity it is the most problematic, it is linked to the rupture or incorrect inflation of the expansion vessel. The check is simple and consists of unscrewing the lid of the vessel and checking: if no air comes out, it is discharged and must be inflated with a normal compressor up to a pressure of about one bar; if, however, water comes out, the component must be replaced because the internal membrane has deteriorated.
As seen, therefore, the problems can be manifold and the main method to avoid them is related to the correct maintenance and cleaning of the system, as well as effective loading. All this allows you to save both in terms of time and in terms of costs but, mainly, allows you to increase the safety level of the system.
The main causes that can identify this type of problem are:
- Presence of limestone flakes released by the plant;
- Excessive cold pressure of the system;
- Incorrect inflation of the expansion vessel.
As for the first problem, limestone is formed inside the pipes and tends to be transported to the gasket area afterwards, a fundamental element for sealing the safety valve for the boiler. In this position, the limestone is placed under the gasket, not allowing perfect housing and functioning and therefore leading to dripping. The solution for this specific cause is given by cleaning the system which must be carried out with specific products aimed at eliminating this chemical compound.
The excessive cold pressure of the system is mainly due to the inexperience of the novice user who fails to load. The control and correction, in this case, are simple and consist in measuring and evaluating the pressure through a simple pressure gauge.
Last reason, even if in importance and gravity it is the most problematic, it is linked to the rupture or incorrect inflation of the expansion vessel. The check is simple and consists of unscrewing the lid of the vessel and checking: if no air comes out, it is discharged and must be inflated with a normal compressor up to a pressure of about one bar; if, however, water comes out, the component must be replaced because the internal membrane has deteriorated.
As seen, therefore, the problems can be manifold and the main method to avoid them is related to the correct maintenance and cleaning of the system, as well as effective loading. All this allows you to save both in terms of time and in terms of costs but, mainly, allows you to increase the safety level of the system.
How to carry out proper maintenance of the safety valves
The safety valves, as previously introduced, may have more or less consistent drips based on various problems that can develop during operation and the only solution, together with the forecast in the design phase, is the maintenance of the systems.
The fundamental characteristics to be checked are:
Perfect sealing of the valve seats and discs in order to avoid the creation of gaps that allow the flow of water and the consequent dripping;
Optimal functionality of the moving parts with the same purpose as the previous point;
Inspections are usually carried out by trained and experienced personnel who are able to identify even the first signs of a possible failure or loss of functionality. When an anomaly in operation occurs, these valves are sent for repair to authorized centers or by the manufacturers themselves who, knowing the project and the production process, can intervene effectively, eliminating the problem.
If the damage is excessively extensive and it is impossible to guarantee the restoration of the valve, it must be replaced since, being safety components, it can create situations that are even more onerous than dripping.
The choice of the time interval between two maintenance operations is not subjective but must comply with the relevant regulations. Furthermore, if they are used in particularly critical situations, it is necessary to carry out the checks even more frequently.
The fundamental characteristics to be checked are:
Perfect sealing of the valve seats and discs in order to avoid the creation of gaps that allow the flow of water and the consequent dripping;
Optimal functionality of the moving parts with the same purpose as the previous point;
Inspections are usually carried out by trained and experienced personnel who are able to identify even the first signs of a possible failure or loss of functionality. When an anomaly in operation occurs, these valves are sent for repair to authorized centers or by the manufacturers themselves who, knowing the project and the production process, can intervene effectively, eliminating the problem.
If the damage is excessively extensive and it is impossible to guarantee the restoration of the valve, it must be replaced since, being safety components, it can create situations that are even more onerous than dripping.
The choice of the time interval between two maintenance operations is not subjective but must comply with the relevant regulations. Furthermore, if they are used in particularly critical situations, it is necessary to carry out the checks even more frequently.
06/06/2022
I contenuti di questo sito non hanno carattere di periodicità e non rappresentano 'prodotto editoriale'.