Kimray’s Back Pressure Regulator is a staple in oil and gas production. Numerous oilfield applications, including on separators, flow treaters, free water knockouts, compressor stations, and gas gathering systems use it.
Operation
Considered an “integrated valve,” the regulator’s pilot—the key to opening and closing the it—is connected to the valve body and comes out as one piece. By adjusting the bolt at the top of the regulator, the spring is pushed down to a set point. The spring presses down on the diaphragm assembly.
This positions the three-way valve. The three-way valve then allows gas from upstream to push down on the diaphragm.
If the set point is exceeded, the upstream pressure pushes up on the diaphragm assembly, therefore closing off the three-way valve and allowing gas to be vented from the top of the diaphragm and allowing the upstream pressure to be vented.
The Back Pressure Regulator allows you to hold pressure on production vessels by adjusting the set point to the desired maximum upstream pressure. The valve senses this and releases when this designated set point is reached.
Repairing the Back Pressure Regulator
Over time, the internals of the regulator experience wear and tear that can affect production processes, so it’s necessary to disassemble and replace key internal parts with a Kimray Repair Kit.
In this extended repair video, Kimray's Jason Andrews will show you how to disassemble, examine, and reassemble the Kimray Back Pressure Regulator.
Video Sections
If you would like to advance to a specific section, click the appropriate link:
Disassembly
- Pilot housing 1:28
- Lower seat 1:57
- Upper housing 2:18
- Removable seat 3:18
- Lower housing 4:17
- Filter 5:15
- Diaphragm plate assembly 5:51
- Inspection 6:28
Reassembly
