01953 609930Back pressure regulators
Premier Control Technologies (PCT) supplies Equilibar back pressure regulators for laboratory, industrial and specialist process applications, with UK technical support to help select a suitable configuration.
A back pressure regulator controls pressure upstream of the device by adjusting the flow leaving the process. Equilibar offers options for gas, liquid and mixed-phase applications, with specialist ranges for research, high-temperature service, sanitary processes, supercritical fluids and vacuum regulation.
Selection depends on your process media, required pressure, minimum and maximum flow rates, operating temperature and control requirements. Materials, pressure ratings and temperature limits vary by model and configuration.
Need help choosing an Equilibar back pressure regulator?
Tell us your process media, required upstream pressure, downstream pressure, minimum and maximum flow rates, and operating temperature. Include any connection, sanitary or automation requirements.
If you do not have every detail yet that's not a problem, please describe your application. Contact PCT for help selecting an Equilibar back pressure regulator.
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Compare Equilibar back pressure regulator options
Compare the Equilibar ranges below as a starting point for selection. Pressure and temperature ratings depend on the model, body material, diaphragm, seals and process conditions. PCT can help confirm a suitable configuration for your application.
| Series / Model | Target Application | Port Sizes | Pressure rating / control range | Max Temp | Key Advantage / Core Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Series | Laboratory & Gas Analysis | 1/16", 1/8" and 1/4" | Up to 10,000 psig / 690 bar(g) on selected high-pressure models | 150°C standard; selected configurations up to 325°C. See HT Series for higher-temperature applications. | Precision back pressure control for laboratory research, gas analysis and low-flow applications, with model and material options for demanding process conditions. |
| General Service — GS/GSD family | Gas, Liquid & Mixed-Phase | 1/4" to 1" | Up to 2,500 psig / 172 bar(g) on selected configurations; rating depends on model, materials and temperature. | Metal-body models: up to 150°C with standard PTFE diaphragm and FKM seals; selected configurations up to 300°C. Polymer-body models have lower limits. | General-purpose upstream pressure control for gas, liquid and mixed-phase processes, with material and pilot-control options to suit the application. |
| Industrial High Flow (IC) | High-Capacity Industrial Lines | 1.5", 2", and 3" | At 22°C: up to 380 psig / 26 bar(g) for IC12 and IC16; up to 280 psig / 19 bar(g) for IC24. Ratings reduce at higher temperatures. | Up to 150°C with standard diaphragm and seals; selected metal-diaphragm and FFKM-seal configurations up to 327°C. | High-flow industrial pressure control with a choice of process connections. Replacement suitability must be checked against the existing valve and application requirements. |
| Industrial Service — BD/BDM/BDH family | High Flow & Viscous Media | 1.5" to 4" | Up to 400 psig / approximately 27.6 bar(g) on the stainless-steel BDH16 model. Other sizes and configurations have lower ratings. | Metal-body models: up to 150°C with PTFE diaphragm and FKM seals; selected metal-diaphragm and FFKM-seal configurations up to 300°C. Confirm the rating for the supplied configuration. | Larger-port upstream pressure control for gas, liquid and mixed-phase processes, including pump bypass, fuel cell testing and suitable viscous-fluid applications. |
| Sanitary Series (FD) | Food, Bev & Personal Care | 1/4" to 3" | Standard maximum pressure: 150 psig / approximately 10.3 bar(g). Confirm the rating for the selected configuration. | Typically 135°C for biopharmaceutical applications and 150°C for other applications, depending on diaphragm selection. Follow the supplied regulator’s temperature rating. | Sanitary upstream pressure control for biopharmaceutical, food and other hygienic processes, with cleanable construction and application-specific diaphragm and surface-finish options. |
| Single-Use Bioprocessing — SD Series | Single-Use Bioprocessing | 1/8" to 1" (Single-Use) | Up to 60 psig / approximately 4.1 bar(g). Confirm the rating for the selected assembly. | Confirm the allowable process temperature for the selected single-use assembly with PCT. | Single-use upstream pressure control for bioprocessing applications, including tangential flow filtration and chromatography, with a disposable fluid-contact assembly and reusable stainless-steel cradle. |
| Supercritical / Blockage Resistant — BR/B6R Series | sCO2 & Blockage-Prone Media | 1/4" to 3/8" | Up to 6,000 psig / approximately 414 bar(g), depending on the selected configuration. | Up to 300°C with suitable diaphragm and seal materials. Confirm the rating for the selected configuration. | Upstream pressure control for supercritical CO₂ and other suitable processes, with internal passages designed to resist blockage from ice formation and viscous fluids during decompression. |
| Mity Mite Replacement | Direct Retrofit / Legacy Replacement | ¼″ NPT process connections | Up to 3,000 psig / approximately 207 bar(g), depending on model. Lower-pressure versions are available. | Up to 93°C (200°F), subject to confirmation for the selected replacement model. | Replacement for selected legacy Grove Mity Mite regulators. Confirm the original part number, connections, materials and operating requirements with PCT before selecting a replacement. |
| High Temperature (HT) | Extreme Hot Gas / Oven Systems | ⅛″ and ¼″ | Up to 5,000 psig / approximately 345 bar(g), subject to the selected configuration and operating conditions. | Up to 450°C with the appropriate high-temperature construction. Confirm material compatibility and operating limits with PCT. | Low-flow upstream pressure control for high-temperature gas, liquid and mixed-phase applications, including research reactors and catalysis systems. |
| Vacuum Series (EVR) | Precision Vacuum Control | ⅛″ to 4″, depending on model | Vacuum control options include approximately 1,013 to 15 mbar absolute. Available control range depends on the model and pilot arrangement. | Standard ratings: 40°C for polymer-body models and 60°C for metal-body models. Higher-temperature configurations are available on request. | Upstream vacuum regulation for laboratory and industrial processes, with manual or electronic pilot options to suit the required control range. |
Published maximum pressure and temperature figures are not necessarily available together in one configuration. The selected regulator’s allowable operating limits depend on its materials, diaphragm, seals and application conditions. Confirm the specified limits with PCT before ordering.
How to select an Equilibar back pressure regulator
Start with the pressure you need to maintain upstream of the regulator, together with the downstream pressure and minimum, normal and maximum flow rates. These conditions help determine the appropriate regulator size and configuration.
Your process media and operating temperature also guide the choice of body, diaphragm and seal materials. Include details of gas mixtures, liquids, mixed-phase flow, viscosity or particles, where relevant.
For dome-loaded models, the pilot arrangement provides the pressure setpoint. Manual and electronic pilot options support different control requirements, so tell PCT whether you need a fixed setting, remote adjustment or integration with an automated system.
Share any requirements for sanitary construction, single-use components, process connections or replacement of an existing regulator. PCT can help assess the options and confirm a suitable configuration.
Contact PCT for help selecting an Equilibar back pressure regulator.
How an Equilibar dome-loaded back pressure regulator controls upstream pressure
Benefits of Equilibar back pressure regulators
- Upstream pressure control: Dome-loaded regulators adjust the flow leaving the process to maintain the required upstream pressure within the selected configuration’s operating limits.
- Diaphragm-based operation: Equilibar’s multi-orifice designs use a flexible diaphragm to respond to pressure changes without the sliding seals found in many conventional regulators.
- Options for different process media: Suitable configurations are available for gas, liquid and mixed-phase applications, subject to material compatibility and operating conditions.
- Manual or automated adjustment: Compatible pilot regulators allow manual setpoint adjustment or electronic control, depending on the application.
- Specialist product ranges: Options address requirements such as low-flow research, high-temperature service, sanitary processing, single-use bioprocessing and vacuum regulation.
- UK selection support: PCT can help assess regulator sizing, wetted materials, pilot arrangements and integration requirements.
Performance and suitability depend on the selected model, configuration and process conditions. Contact PCT to discuss your application.
Frequently asked questions
A back pressure regulator controls pressure upstream of the device by adjusting the flow leaving the process. As upstream pressure rises above the setpoint, the regulator opens further to allow more flow through. As pressure falls, it restricts flow to help maintain the required pressure.
In an Equilibar dome-loaded regulator, pressure applied to the pilot port establishes the setpoint, and a flexible diaphragm responds to changes in process pressure.
A process back pressure regulator should not be treated as a substitute for a required safety relief valve.
Applications include reactor pressure control, catalysis research, fuel cell testing, pump bypass systems, supercritical CO₂ processing, tangential flow filtration and chromatography.
Different Equilibar ranges address laboratory, industrial, sanitary and single-use requirements. Selection depends on the process media, required upstream pressure, downstream pressure, flow range and operating temperature.
PCT can help assess your application and identify a suitable regulator and pilot-control arrangement.
A pressure reducing regulator controls pressure downstream of the device by regulating flow from a higher-pressure supply.
A back pressure regulator controls pressure upstream of the device by regulating the flow leaving the process.
Choose according to where you need to maintain pressure in your system. PCT can help identify an appropriate regulator and control arrangement.
Suitable configurations are available for some corrosive gases and liquids, but compatibility depends on all wetted materials, including the body, diaphragm and seals.
Selection must account for the chemical composition, concentration, temperature and operating pressures. A corrosion-resistant body alone does not establish compatibility for the complete regulator.
Share your process media and operating conditions with PCT so we can help assess suitable materials and confirm the available configuration with Equilibar.
Equilibar offers different regulator families for low-pressure processes, high-pressure research and a wide range of flow requirements. Selected Research Series models have pressure ratings up to 10,000 psig / approximately 690 bar(g), while other families have different limits.
Flow capacity depends on the regulator size, diaphragm, process media and inlet-to-outlet pressure conditions. There is no single flow range that applies across the complete product range.
Share your minimum, normal and maximum flows, required upstream pressure, downstream pressure and operating temperature with PCT so we can help select a suitable configuration.
Yes. Equilibar dome-loaded back pressure regulators use a pilot pressure to establish the pressure setpoint.
A compatible manual pilot regulator allows local adjustment. An electronic pilot regulator allows remote setpoint adjustment and integration with an automated control system. Some applications also use an external pressure sensor for feedback.
PCT can help select the regulator, pilot arrangement and control interface for your application.
Yes. Equilibar offers configurations for gases, liquids and mixed-phase fluids, where gas and liquid are present together.
Suitability depends on the selected regulator, wetted materials, flow conditions, pressures and temperature. Not every model or material combination is appropriate for every fluid or application.
Tell PCT about your media composition, any phase changes, viscosity or particles, and operating conditions so we can help identify a suitable configuration.
Pressure-control performance depends on the selected regulator, diaphragm, pilot-pressure source and process conditions. Flow variation, downstream pressure and the overall control arrangement can also affect results.
For dome-loaded regulators, the pilot pressure establishes the setpoint, so the pilot regulator’s accuracy and stability are important. Electronic control does not automatically guarantee better performance in every application.
Tell PCT your required pressure tolerance and operating conditions so we can help assess a suitable configuration and relevant performance data.
Yes. A compatible electronic pilot regulator can receive a command from your control system and convert it into the pilot pressure that sets the Equilibar regulator’s upstream pressure.
Available signal and communication options depend on the selected electronic pilot, rather than the mechanical back pressure regulator itself. Some applications also require an external pressure sensor and feedback controller.
Share your PLC, SCADA or laboratory control requirements with PCT so we can help identify a suitable pilot and integration arrangement.
Yes. PCT’s UK team can help assess your process media, required upstream pressure, downstream pressure, minimum and maximum flow rates, and operating temperature.
We can also help review wetted materials, process connections, pilot-control arrangements and any sanitary, single-use or automation requirements.
If you are replacing an existing regulator, share its manufacturer, part number and operating conditions so we can help assess a suitable replacement.
To learn about the different applications and uses Equilibar back pressure regulators are often undertaking, read our technical article 20 Industrial & Research Applications for Back Pressure Regulators
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Help and advice
A member of our team will be happy to assist with any questions you may have.