Two Pressure Relief Valves In Series
Did you know that you can put two pressure relief valves in series to double the cracking pressure? Eg. you can put two 5,000psid valves in series to achieve an overall cracking pressure of 10,000psid.
Sounds crazy doesn’t it but if you think about it, when the first valve just cracks open, the pressure isn’t enough to open the second valve and the pressure will equalize on the back of the first valve, so the spring will try to close it.
If the pressure is then increased further to the sum of the two valves’ cracking pressures, both of the valves will open and each valve will take its own pressure drop across it.
This capability is often very useful for customers making downhole oil tools.
The Lee Company manufactures 0.281” diameter high pressure relief valves with cracking pressures up to 5,900psid so two in series could get as high as 11,800psid.
The valves can be installed into the same installation hole using a Dual Insert Adaptor as shown on page N25 of the 12th Edition of Lee Technical Hydraulic Handbook.
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