If a safety valve is set on a 50 psi boiler system, what is the maximum pressure that may develop during safety valve blowdown?

In a boiler system, the safety valve is calibrated to open at a predetermined pressure, which in this case is set at 50 psi. The concept of blowdown refers to the pressure differential that occurs when the valve opens and then reseats after relieving pressure from the system.

The blowdown is an essential characteristic of a safety valve, as it helps to prevent the valve from "chattering," which is the rapid opening and closing that can occur if the pressure fluctuates around the set point. Typically, the blowdown is a percentage of the set pressure, and it's common for it to be between 5% to 15% of the set pressure, depending on the specific design and standards of the safety valve.

If we consider a blowdown of approximately 10% above the set pressure of 50 psi, this would yield a maximum allowable pressure of around 55 psi during blowdown. Consequently, among the choices provided, 53 psi is the first pressure that approaches the maximum expected during safety valve operation when accounting for common blowdown margins.

This illustrates how safety valves are designed to ensure system integrity and safety, preventing overpressure conditions that could lead to potentially hazardous situations. The focus on the maximum pressure during blowdown emphasizes the