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Breather Valves, Safety Valves, and Flame Arresters

Essential components for protecting tanks and installations from excessive pressure, vacuum, and the risk of explosion.

Key Elements of Process Safety

Proper protection of storage tanks and process installations against uncontrolled pressure changes and the risk of ignition and explosion is fundamental to operational safety. Techcom Serwis supplies high-quality safety fittings, including breather valves, and flame arresters, that meet the requirements of relevant standards and directives (including ATEX).

Our solutions help protect infrastructure, prevent failures, and minimize risks to personnel and the environment.

Types of Safety Fittings Offered

Breather Valves / P&V Valves

Automatic valves mounted on the roofs of storage tanks (or in vapor lines) to protect against damage caused by excessive overpressure (e.g., during filling or temperature increase) or vacuum (e.g., during emptying or temperature decrease).

  • Types: Pressure only, vacuum only, combined (pressure-vacuum).
  • Operating Principle: Weight or spring-loaded pallets automatically open when the set opening pressure (overpressure or vacuum) is exceeded, allowing the flow of air or vapors.
  • Selection: Individual selection based on calculations of the required flow capacity (according to e.g., API 2000) and pressure settings.

Flame Arresters / Detonation Arresters

Safety devices installed on pipelines or tank vent outlets, designed to stop the propagation of a flame in case of ignition of a flammable mixture. They protect tanks and installations from explosion.

  • Types:
    • End-of-line deflagration arresters: Mounted at the end of a vent line.
    • In-line deflagration arresters: Mounted within a pipeline.
    • In-line detonation arresters: Resistant to higher pressures and flame speeds (detonation), used in longer pipelines.
  • Operating Principle: The flame is cooled and extinguished as it passes through a special element with fine channels (e.g., metal mesh, crimped ribbon).
  • Selection: Depends on the explosion group of the medium (e.g., IIA, IIB, IIC), pipeline diameter, distance from the potential ignition source. Must have an ATEX certificate.

Technical Specifications and Standards

  • Standards (examples): API 2000 (Venting Atmospheric and Low-pressure Storage Tanks), EN ISO 28300 (Tank Venting), EN ISO 16852 (Flame Arresters), EN ISO 4126 (Safety Valves), Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU, ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
  • Construction Materials: Aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel (304L, 316L, Duplex), Hastelloy, Tantalum (depending on medium and conditions).
  • Seals: PTFE, FEP, Viton®, EPDM, NBR, Kalrez® (selected for medium and temperature).
  • Connections: Flanged (PN, ANSI, JIS), threaded.
  • Sizes: From DN25 to DN600 and larger.
  • Pressure Settings: Wide range of settings for breather and safety valves.
  • Certification: ATEX certificates, 3.1 material certificates, CE declarations of conformity (PED).

FAQ - Safety Fittings

No. Breather valves are used to protect non-pressurized or low-pressure tanks from small pressure fluctuations (overpressure and vacuum) resulting from normal operation (filling, emptying, temperature changes). Safety valves are designed to protect pressure installations from exceeding the maximum allowable pressure in emergency situations and must meet more stringent standards (e.g., PED).

Flame arresters should be used wherever there is a risk of ignition of a flammable gas or vapor mixture and the possibility of flame propagation towards the protected device (e.g., a tank). They are required, among others, at the outlets of vents for tanks with flammable liquids and in pipelines transporting flammable media, especially in hazardous areas (ATEX).

Yes, regular inspections and tests of safety fittings are absolutely crucial to ensure their proper operation. The frequency and scope of inspections are determined by regulations (e.g., technical inspection), standards, and the manufacturer's instructions. It is necessary to check, among other things, the cleanliness of components, the condition of seals, the free movement of pallets, and the correctness of pressure settings (for tests on a test bench are required).

Secure Your Installations with Techcom Serwis Fittings

Contact us to select the appropriate breather valves, or flame arresters. We ensure compliance with standards and reliable operation.

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