What is Industry gas regulator?

Industry gas pressure regulators designed to safely reduce compressed gas pressure to a workable level & delivering cost-effective and reliable performance.

Choosing the right regulator for your application is critical and often difficult.

Product application, gas service, and required delivery pressure all influence regulators selection. We understand gases, and we understand the importance of

using the appropriate equipment for each gas. Scotuniversal’s Guide to select Regulators is a valuable article that will help you pick the right product for your application, and get the most reliable results.

How to select a Regulator?

When choosing a pressure regulator, 3 main factors are considered before selecting a product. Important considerations include: material choice, operating pressures (inlet and outlet)& flow requirements.

1. Material: A wide range of materials are available, including but not limited to corrosion-resistant stainless steels, brass, aluminum, and plastic. Stainless steel provides long life and is ideal for clean rooms and corrosive fluids. When cost is a major contributing factor, brass, aluminum, and plastic regulators may be the best option. Aluminum is light weight, while plastic is suitable for many medical applications involving bodily fluids. Plastic fluid power products are often ideal when a throw-away item is required.
2. Operating pressures: The inlet and outlet pressures are important factors to consider before choosing the best regulator. Important questions to answer are: What is the range of fluctuation in the inlet pressure? What is the required outlet pressure? What is the allowable variation in outlet pressure?
3. Flow requirements: What is the maximum flow rate that the application requires? How much does the flow rate vary? Porting requirements are also an important consideration.

2 Types of industry Regulator

1. Single-stage regulator
2. Dual-stage regulator OR Double stage

​Single-stage regulator

Single-stage regulators are an excellent choice for relatively small reductions in pressure. For example, the air compressors used in most factories generate maximum pressures in the 100- to 150-psi range. This pressure is piped through the factory but is often reduced with a single-stage regulator to lower pressures (10 psi, 50 psi, 80 psi, etc.) to operate automated machinery, test stands, machine tools, leak test equipment, linear actuators, and other devices. Single-stage pressure regulators typically do not perform well with large swings in inlet pressure and/or flow rates.

Dual-stage regulator

In cases where the flow rate has large variations or inlet pressures are fluctuating or decaying over time (like with gas tanks/storage cylinders), a two-stage pressure regulator is ideal. These regulators are often used in GC instrumentation, semiconductor applications, and hydrogen fuel cells.

With most single-stage regulators, a large drop in inlet pressure will cause a slight increase in outlet pressure. In a two-stage design, the second stage will not see these large changes in the inlet pressure (only the very slight fluctuations from the outlet of the first stage). This will keep the outlet pressure of the second stage much more stable.

In applications using tanks of gases as often is used in fuel cell applications, a two-stage or three-stage regulator is ideal. A two-stage pressure regulator will compensate for the drop in inlet pressure as the gas is depleted without affecting the outlet pressures in the second stage.

​DOUBLE STAGE

REGULATOR OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

To operate a pressure regulator, you should be trained in its proper use or be under competent supervision.

1. Use safety glasses when installing and operating gas handling equipment.

2. Mark each new gas regulator with its intended gas service and never use a regulator for more than  one service. Regulators that have been used in oxygen or oxidizing gas service must not be used in  another service. To ensure safety and to avoid contamination, it is strongly recommended that regulators be dedicated to one gas service.

3. Never heat or expose a cylinder or gas handling equipment to temperatures above 125°F (52°C).

4. Never use a regulator as a shut-off valve. Be certain that the gas stream is shut off at its source when not in use.

5. Be certain that the gas cylinder valve and regulator connection are clean and compatible with the

service for which they are used.

6. When the regulator is pressurized and/or in operation, no attempt should be made to reposition or detach the regulator.

7. Do not subject the regulator to an inlet pressure greater than is recommended.

8. Gas cylinders should be moved only on carts designed for cylinders.

9. Never move a gas cylinder without its valve protection cap in place.

10. If you have any questions, contact your Specialty Gas Supplier for gas  regulator recommendations for use with corrosive & oxidizing gases, pure gases and gas mixtures.