Emerson SP - User Manual

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Summary

Introduction to Spence Regulators

Scope of the Manual

Provides instructions for installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, valve setting, and parts ordering.

Product Description

Details the complete pressure regulator with safety pilot, including Type E Main Valve or Type D pilot.

Specifications

Type E Main Valve Specifications

Details sizes, connections, ratings, coefficients, and materials for the Type E Main Valve.

Type D Pilot Specifications

Lists maximum inlet temperature/pressure and pressure ranges for the Type D pilot.

Type SP;P Safety Pilot Specifications

Specifies maximum inlet temperature/pressure and pressure ranges for the SP/P safety pilot.

Principle of Operation

Regulator Operation

Explains how the main spring, pilot, and diaphragm control valve operation.

Safety Pilot Operation

Describes how the safety pilot functions to close the main valve if house pressure rises.

Installation

General Installation Warnings

Highlights risks of personal injury or damage from improper installation or overpressure conditions.

Adjustment Procedures

Pilot Stem Adjustment

Details steps for adjusting the pilot stem length and compression.

Pressure Stem Adjustment

Outlines the process for adjusting the pressure stem and plate position.

Delivery Pressure Adjustment

Explains how to adjust delivery pressure for Type ED and EW pilots.

Maintenance and Safety

Maintenance Warnings

Warns against disassembly without isolating pressure and advises on testing and parts.

Dismantling and Reassembling

Main Valve Dismantling

Provides steps for disassembling and cleaning the main valve.

Type D Pilot Dismantling

Details the procedure for dismantling and cleaning the Type D pilot.

Safety Pilot Dismantling

Outlines steps for dismantling, cleaning, and reassembling the safety pilot.

Troubleshooting Guide

Regulator Fails to Open

Lists checks and actions for when the regulator does not open or build sufficient pressure.

Regulator Fails to Close

Provides steps for resolving issues where delivery pressure is too high.

Parts Ordering and List

Ordering Information

Advises referencing assembly numbers when contacting sales or ordering parts.

SP;P Safety Pilot Parts List

Lists specific part numbers for the Type SP/P Safety Pilot components.

The Spence Regulators with Type SP/P Pressure Safety Pilot is a pilot-operated, normally closed, single-seat pressure regulator designed to reduce a steady or varying initial pressure to a constant, adjustable delivery pressure. It features packless construction, balanced metal diaphragms, and a protected main spring. The safety pilot acts as a standby feature, preventing pressure buildup on the house side in cases of primary or secondary regulator failure, but does not regulate under normal conditions.

Function Description:

The main valve operates by the interaction of its main spring and the initial pressure on top of the disk, which keeps the valve closed. High-pressure steam from the inlet side of the main valve flows through a nipple and union to the Type D pilot. The pilot, held open by its adjusting spring, discharges steam into a copper tubing tee. From this tee, part of the steam flows through a bleedport (3/32 in. / 2.38 mm orifice) located on the outlet side of the main valve, and the rest flows down to a restriction (orifice size varies with valve size) to exert pressure on the main valve diaphragm, causing the main valve to open. As the delivery pressure approaches the desired set point, it acts on the pilot diaphragm via a control pipe, throttling the pilot and reducing steam flow. This reduction in steam flow allows pressure under the main valve diaphragm to escape through the bleedport, causing the main valve to throttle down and maintain the desired delivery pressure.

The safety pilot's inlet is connected to the restriction tee at the bottom of the primary main valve. This tee has a restriction on the Type D pilot side but none on the safety pilot side. This design ensures that when the safety pilot opens, it can bleed off pressure under the main valve diaphragm faster than the Type D pilot can build it up, thereby closing the primary main valve. The safety pilot's control pipe is connected to the house side and is set for a slightly higher pressure than the normal house pressure. If the house pressure increases for any reason, the safety pilot will throttle the primary main valve to maintain the house pressure at its set point.

Important Technical Specifications:

Type E Main Valve:

Available Sizes: NPS 3/8 to 12 / DN 10 to 300.
End Connection Styles: NPT, CL125, CL150, CL250, CL300, CL600.
Pressure Rating: Refer to Table 1 for specific psig/bar ratings based on material and end connection.
Temperature Rating: Refer to Table 1 for specific °F/°C ratings based on material and end connection.
Rated Flow Coefficient: Refer to Table 2 for various seat factors and valve sizes.
Construction Materials: Cast Iron and Cast Steel.

Type D Pilot:

Maximum Inlet Temperature: Cast Iron: 450°F / 232°C; Steel: 750°F / 400°C.
Maximum Inlet Pressure: Cast Iron: 250 psig / 17.2 bar; Steel: 600 psig / 41.4 bar.
Pressure Ranges:
- Type D: 3 to 150 psig / 0.21 to 10.3 bar.
- Type D2: 100 to 300 psig / 6.90 to 20.7 bar.
- Type D5: 1 to 25 psig / 0.07 to 1.72 bar.
- Type D120: 5 to 300 psig / 0.35 to 20.7 bar.
Construction Materials: Cast Iron and Cast Steel.

Type SP/P Safety Pilot:

Maximum Inlet Temperature: Bronze: 500°F / 260°C; Steel: 750°F / 400°C.
Maximum Inlet Pressure: Bronze: 300 psig / 20.7 bar; Steel: 600 psig / 41.4 bar.
Pressure Ranges:
- 5 to 13 psig / 0.35 to 0.90 bar.
- 13 to 30 psig / 0.90 to 2.07 bar.
- 31 to 65 psig / 2.14 to 4.48 bar.
- 66 to 120 psig / 4.55 to 8.27 bar.
- 121 to 175 psig / 8.35 to 12.1 bar.
Construction Materials: Bronze and Cast Steel.

Usage Features:

Adjustable Delivery Pressure: For Type ED, increasing spring compression of the pilot adjusting spring raises delivery pressure; decreasing it lowers delivery pressure. For Type EW, moving the weight away from the pilot increases delivery pressure; moving it toward the pilot decreases delivery pressure.
Safety Feature: The SP/P Safety Pilot acts as a standby to prevent overpressure in the event of primary or secondary regulator failure.
Installation Requirements: Must be installed, operated, and maintained according to federal, state, and local codes, rules, regulations, and Emerson instructions. Proper overpressure protection is required to prevent personal injury or system damage. Vent lines should be piped outdoors in enclosed conditions to prevent gas accumulation.

Maintenance Features:

Pilot Stem Adjustment: Involves setting the pilot stem length, compressing the valve spring, prick punching the thread to lock, and using plastic compound to secure the seat and disk assembly.
Pressure Stem Adjustment: Involves removing the hood and diaphragms, screwing the pressure plate onto the pressure stem, adjusting the nut for spring compression, and locking the setting.
Troubleshooting:
- Fails to Open/Insufficient Delivery Pressure: Check stop valves, adjust pilot setting, verify initial pressure, test pilot operation (disassemble and clean if fouled), check bleedport and restriction ell for plugs, and assess if the regulator size is adequate for demand.
- Fails to Close/Delivery Pressure Builds Up Too High: Check for bypass valve leaks, lower pilot setting, inspect bleedport and restriction ell for obstructions, and if steam issues from the pilot valve, the pilot is the issue (dismantle, clean, lap disk). If steam issues from the bleedport, the main valve is the issue (remove obstructions, dismantle, clean, lap disk). A tire pump and 'snifter' valve can be used to clear obstructions from the main valve.
Dismantling and Reassembling:
- Main Valve: Involves removing blind flange, bottom cover/hood, diaphragms, stem nuts, cleaning and lapping the stem, disk, and shoulder, and ensuring proper tightening of components.
- Pilot (Type D): Involves removing adjusting spring/weight, dismantling at diaphragm joint, removing blind flange and screen, cleaning and lapping parts, and reassembling.
- Safety Pilot: Involves removing blind flange, seat and disk assembly, stem nuts, cleaning and lapping parts, and removing bellows seal if necessary.
Periodic Inspection: Regulators should be inspected and maintained periodically, with frequency depending on service conditions and regulatory requirements.
Parts Ordering: When ordering replacement parts, reference the assembly number and specify the complete character part number from the provided parts list. Only Emerson-manufactured parts should be used for repairs.