What is the primary purpose of a safety valve on a boiler?

The primary purpose of a safety valve on a boiler is to protect the boiler from excess pressure. Safety valves are essential components designed to automatically release steam or fluid when the pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. This function helps ensure that the boiler operates within its safe pressure range, preventing dangerous conditions that could lead to equipment failure or even catastrophic explosions. By venting excess pressure, safety valves provide a critical safety measure, making them a fundamental aspect of boiler safety systems.

Increasing efficiency, maintaining temperature, and controlling flow rate are important aspects of boiler operation, but they do not directly pertain to the safety function that the safety valve serves. The effectiveness of the safety valve in preventing overpressure situations underscores its significance in boiler systems.