What is Pressure vacuum or PV breaker, its working principle and purpose ?

The pressure vacuum breaker is fitted to a branch line off the inert gas deck main line. The purpose of the pressure vacuum breaker is to safeguard against over-pressurisation as well as under-pressurisation of the cargo tanks. The pressure vacuum breaker operates normally at a line pressure of 1800 mmWG and a vacuum of 700 mmWG.

The pressure vacuum breaker is the final backup for any of the pressure vacuum valves and consists essentially of two concentric tubes. The inner tube acts as a weir over which the water is displaced by excess backpressure. By excess vacuum, the inert gas main connecting pipe acts as a weir over which the water is displaced. After installation onboard the breaker should be kept filled with fresh water.

In cold sea water, 20% of the water should be replaced by glycol (CH2OH) or other antifreeze additive.

5 Comments

    • both for same purpose only( to prevent over pressurisation and under vaccum). but pv valve is primary means of venting system, incase pv valve fails(pv valve not lift at certain pre set pressure value) then pv breaker act as secondary means of venting and it will lift to prevent over pressure

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