Dome-Loaded Back Pressure Regulators

Dome-Loaded Pressure Regulators Explained

A dome-loaded pressure regulator uses a pressurized gas in the “dome” (top) of the regulator to control pressure. These devices differ from the more familiar spring-loaded valves, which use a compressed spring that is set by manually turning a knob or screw. Spring-loaded valves are economical but do not always perform well in complex processes.

With a dome-loaded regulator, the pressure in the dome pushes down on a diaphragm (for standard pressures) or a piston (for extremely high pressures); this in turn controls the valve’s opening and closing to maintain the desired pressure. Pressure is easily adjusted in dome-loaded regulators. These devices also offer superior stability and accuracy of pressure regulation, especially in processes with fluctuating pressures or flow rates.

Dome-Loaded Pressure Regulators can be found in both back pressure (BPR) and pressure reducing (PRR) formats. Equilibar specializes in dome-loaded back pressure regulators.

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Electronic or Manual Dome-Loaded Pressure Control

The pressure of the gas fed to the dome is set by a second regulator called a pilot regulator, which can be a manual or electronic pressure regulator. An electronic pilot pressure regulator, or electro-pneumatic regulator, takes an electronic input signal and translates it into a pressure that is fed to the dome of the regulator. Changing the signal to an electronic pilot regulator or turning the knob of a manual pilot regulator adjusts the setpoint.

Advantages of Dome-loaded Pressure Regulators

Dome-loaded designs typically improve precision by delivering a more constant pressure as the valve position varies. Moreover, with the adoption of process automation and industry 4.0 technologies, engineers increasingly value the ease of automation that is possible by using an electronic pilot regulator to control pressure. Engineers are also likely to choose dome-loaded regulators in processes where precision and responsiveness are mission-critical, such as in biotech, semiconductor, chemical, or high-purity applications.

How Equilibar dome-loaded back pressure regulators are different

Equilibar technology improves on the basic dome-loaded back pressure regulator design with the addition of an innovative multi-orifice flow path and a simple flexible diaphragm as a control mechanism.

Equilibar dome-loaded back pressure regulator with multiple orifice flow path and direct sealing diaphragm

In this design, a direct-sealing diaphragm covers a field of parallel orifices located in the body of the regulator. As fluids flow through the unit, the diaphragm lifts off the orifices to release pressure. When process media flow is minimal, only a portion of one orifice will open to release the pressure. When media flow is high, the diaphragm is pushed up to open all the orifices. In steady state, the diaphragm modulates up and down instantaneously to maintain the inlet pressure to a 1:1 ratio to the dome setpoint pressure.

The unique features of Equilibar technology can provide solutions for even the most extreme pressure control scenarios.

• Equilibar BPRs hold pressure stable across extremely wide flow ranges of 1000:1 and beyond; 100,000:1 in many processes.
• The multi-orifice design allows superior control of multi-phase fluids
• The frictionless diaphragm avoids all hysteresis, allowing for highly precise control in manual, open-loop or closed-loop control systems.
• The diaphragm and body can be made of many materials, which when combined can be used in extreme conditions such as harsh chemistry, high or low temperatures, high pressures, and slurries or abrasives.
• The simple construction makes it easy to maintain by changing out the diaphragm and O-rings in minutes rather than hours for a traditional valve.
• The dome-loaded control means that a vacuum pressure can be used as a setpoint and the regulator becomes a precision vacuum regulator.
• In different configurations, it can also provide flow control.

How the Equilibar Dome-Loaded Back Pressure Regulator Works Differently