What is the recommended design for the discharge outlet of a safety valve?

The recommended design for the discharge outlet of a safety valve is to make it as short and straight as possible. This is crucial because a straight and short discharge path minimizes back pressure on the valve, ensuring that it can operate effectively in relieving pressure. Efficient displacement of fluid is necessary during overpressure situations to protect the system and avoid potential hazards.

When the discharge outlet is designed to be short and straight, it allows for unobstructed flow, reducing turbulence and the possibility of cavitation, which can occur if the discharge is too long or has multiple bends. This design principle is aimed at enhancing the performance of safety valves, which must react quickly to overpressure situations to prevent catastrophic failures in piping systems.

While other designs, such as long and curved or flexible with multiple bends, may introduce resistance to flow, potentially leading to reduced efficiency, the most effective approach remains a direct and uncomplicated discharge route. Additionally, attaching to a drain line can be useful in certain scenarios, but it does not inherently prioritize the conditions that optimize the safety valve's discharge operation.