A pressure relief valve, also known as a safety valve or pressure safety valve (PSV), is a mechanical device designed to automatically relieve excessive pressure in a system or vessel. Its primary function is to protect the system from potential damage caused by overpressure, which can lead to catastrophic failures or explosions.
The pressure relief valve operates by opening to release the excess pressure once it reaches a predetermined setpoint. This setpoint is typically determined based on the system's design limits and the maximum pressure it can safely handle. When the pressure exceeds this threshold, the valve's mechanism activates, allowing the excess fluid or gas to escape through an outlet, thus reducing the pressure inside the system