A regulator is a valve that automatically shuts the flow of
liquid or gas at a pre-defined pressure. The application of gas cylinder regulators is
very common in all industries. The pressure in most gas cylinders or tanks
ranges from 100 psi to 6000 psi. The pressure regulator reduces the pressure at
the point of use for safety or controlled pressure for various applications.
How does a gas
cylinder regulator work
The primary function of regulators, whether they cryogenic
gas regulators or compressed
gas cylinder regulators is to control the flow of the gas as required in
the system. The regulator should permit higher flow or reduce the flow so as to
maintain the controlled pressure in the tank or the cylinder.
The Gas/Cryo regulators are constructed with a loading
element, restricting element and a measuring element. The restricting element
in the valve lets you control the flow within a certain variable range. Globe
valve, butterfly valves works on this principle. The loading element is usually
some weight, piston or a spring that applies force to the restricting element.
The diaphragm valve uses this combination. The measuring element determines
when the flow from the inlet is equivalent to the outlet flow. The diaphragm
used in valves often serves as a combination element. There are two types of
pressure regulators, the single stage regulator and the double stage regulator.
How a single stage
regulator works
Through the needle valve inlet, high pressure gas enters
into the body of the regulator. As the pressure rises, the diaphragm is pushed
up which closes the inlet. This prevents more gas from entering into the
regulator. The gas is drawn out from the outlet that is fitted with a pressure
gauge. As the gas is drawn out, the diaphragm is pushed back as the pressure in
the regulator body falls. The springs
push back the diaphragm and the valve is opened, which lets more gas enter till
an equilibrium is attained between the spring and the outlet pressure. The
outlet pressure can be adjusted as it depends on the force of the spring which
can be controlled. Single stage gas regulators are used in cylinders and pumps
where the supply is pressurized gas.
How a double stage
regulator works
The double stage regulator is basically two single stage regulator
that operates progressively in two stages to reduce the pressure. In the first
stage, the pressure at the supply is reduced to an intermediate stage. The gas
at this reduced pressure passes to the second stage. The pressure at this stage
is set to a working pressure by adjusting the control knob. This kind of gas
regulator has two safety valves which prevent explosion if the pressure becomes
too high.
Read more about All
You Need To Know About Gas/Cryo Regulators
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