What is the purpose of a pressure relief valve?

A pressure relief valve serves a critical function in refrigeration systems by ensuring safety and preventing overpressure situations. Its primary purpose is to release excess pressure from the system, which can occur due to various factors such as temperature fluctuations, system malfunctions, or blockages. By discharging the excess pressure, the valve helps to protect the integrity of the system components and prevent potential hazards like equipment failure or explosions.

Effective operation of the pressure relief valve is essential in maintaining the system's safety. If the pressure builds beyond a safe threshold, the valve opens to allow refrigerant to escape, thus lowering the pressure within the system. This action helps maintain safe operating conditions and prolongs the life of the equipment.

While maintaining constant temperature, increasing system efficiency, and cooling the refrigerant are important aspects of refrigeration systems, they are not the primary function of a pressure relief valve, which specifically focuses on pressure management.