Pipeline Special Study: Pipeline Excess Flow Valves

摘要

The usefulness and effectiveness of excess flow valves have, for several years, been widely and emotionally debated within the gas distribution industry and between that industry and the safety and regulatory agencies of the government. The National Transportation Safety Board collected and analyzed data relevant to the availability, extent of use, and effectiveness of excess flow valves for gas distribution services. This report documents the findings of this analysis and presents data concerning the design and operation of available excess flow valves, the potential impact their use would have on pipeline safety, and the experiences of gas distribution companies which have used and tested excess flow valves.