Drastar Pressure Regulators: Exceed in Safety and Long-Term Quality

Monday, March 7, 2022

There are several types of pressure regulator available across the global market, however, not all are created equal.

What is it that makes our Drastar range different?

The answer can be found under two main headings: (a) Safety and (b) Long Term Quality.

Safety

Manual pressure regulators are designed to be adjusted by hand and it is therefore essential that top priority is given to the safety of the operator. Across the Drastar range several safety features can be seen.

First and foremost, comes the patented (patent #1086199) “push and lock type handle”. In normal operation any adjustment can be achieved easily and stably however by pushing in the handle the regulator becomes “locked”. Not only does this prevent any slight change of pre-set pressure that could possibly be caused by vibration within the pipeline but more importantly prevents any accidental adjustment or inadvertent tampering. By pulling on the handle the regulator is ready again for intentional adjustment.

Secondly, we have the concept of a “captured vent”. When a pressure reducing regulator is “backed off” i.e. turned back to a zero pressure setting, the regulating portion of the valve shuts thereby resulting in a section of trapped pressure. To alleviate this issue the self-venting option releases the trapped pressure into the bonnet. With air, Nitrogen, and other inert gases this does not create an issue, however, with flammable, toxic or corrosive gases it would not be safe to do so without extra measures. A captured vent is a threaded port within the bonnet that allows a gas line to be secured to safely release the trapped pressure directly into an exhaust duct or extractor.

Thirdly, there are several further details that are equally important to appreciate:

Tied Diaphragm. A tied diaphragm ensures positive shut-off (preventing unwanted leaks down-stream) and protection against the rupture of the diaphragm that is essential when using toxic, pyrophoric, or corrosive gases.
High Proof Pressure. All Drastar regulators have a design proof pressure of 150% over their maximum stated inlet pressure.
High Temperature Design. An option ensures that temperatures as high as 320 C can be accommodated without damage.

Lastly in terms of safety, a full suite of accessories is available such as Full Safety Pattern pressure gauges, high integrity braided hose, excess flow valves (that shut in the event of line rupture), non-return valves, isolation valves and filters.

Long Term Quality

The long-term use of a regulator will inevitably cause wear and tear on moving parts and long-term exposure to corrosive materials can in extreme cases result in failure. Drastar regulators are designed for the long-term.

Drastar regulators are available in all 316L Stainless Steel.

VCR connections are available as they offer extremely high leak integrity; both to prevent the escape of gas but also to prevent the minute ingress of moisture (one of the most common causes of internal corrosion)

An extremely high surface finish (up to 5 Ra) is useful in minimising corrosion of the body.

As a final word – all Drastar regulators are guaranteed to be free from oil. All regulators are assembled, cleaned, inspected, and packed in clean-rooms and undergo strict cleaning procedures in compliance with CGA 4.1. and ASTM G-93.

Safety and Quality by Design.