Balanced relief valves are spring-loaded valves that contain a bellows arrangement to keep back-pressure from affecting the set point. Figure 13-4 shows a cross section of a balanced relief valve, and Figure 13-5 is a schematic that shows how the valve operates. The bonnet is vented to atmosphere and a bellows is installed so that the back-pressure acts both downward and upward on the same area of the disc. Thus, the forces created by the back-pressure always cancel and do not affect the set point.
Balanced bellows type valves are normally used where the relief valves are piped to a closed flare system and the back-pressure exceeds 10% of the set pressure, where conventional valves can’t be used because back-pressure is too high. They are also used in flow lines, multiphase lines, or for paraffinic or asphaltic crude, where pilot-operated valves can’t be used due to possible plugging of the pilot line. An advantage of this type of relief valve is, for corrosive or dirty service, the bellows protects the spring from process fluid. A disadvantage is that the bellows can fatigue, which will allow process fluid to escape through the bonnet. For H2S service, the bonnet vent must be piped to a safe area.
