What safety device helps prevent overpressure in a steam system?

The safety device that helps prevent overpressure in a steam system is both the safety valve and the rupture disk.

A safety valve is a crucial component designed to automatically release pressure from the system when it exceeds a predetermined level. This helps protect the system from damage due to excessive pressure by allowing steam or fluid to escape, thus lowering the system’s pressure to a safe level. Safety valves are often used in pressurized systems to ensure that if an overpressure situation arises, the valve opens without any manual intervention.

On the other hand, a rupture disk is a device that acts as a fail-safe mechanism. It is designed to burst at a specific pressure, thereby providing a quick and predetermined point of failure which protects the surrounding equipment and personnel. Once the rupture disk fails, it creates a relief path for the excess pressure, effectively preventing a catastrophic failure of the equipment.

By utilizing both a safety valve and a rupture disk, a steam system can benefit from layered safety measures. The safety valve provides continuous monitoring and control over pressure, while the rupture disk offers an additional safety net that activates in case the safety valve fails or is insufficient. This combination ensures a higher level of protection and reliability in managing the risk of overpressure situations.