Does your business rely on large quantities of medical gas cylinders? If yes, then you're probably familiar with the amount of time and resources required for regular refilling. But what if we told you there's a simple device that can drastically reduce refilling time and cut associated costs?

Residual Pressure Valves (RPV) will do just that and more!

Table of Contents

• What is a Residual Pressure Valve?
• How Does a Residual Pressure Valve Work?
• Benefits of Residual Pressure Valves

What is a Residual Pressure Valve?

A Residual Pressure Valve (RPV) functions almost similarly to a standard cylinder valve but retains a small amount of gas inside the cylinder. This positive pressure helps prevent the atmospheric contaminants from entering the tank.

How Does a Residual Pressure Valve Work?

There are different types of RPV designs, but they all follow the same principles of gas and spring force. Let's use GCE Medical's pin index oxygen valve with a Residual Pressure Device (RPD) as an example to break down how it works.

Within our pin index valve, there is a fixed part, a piston, and a spring in between. When the valve is opened, compressed gas passes through the RPD and exits the cylinder via the outlet. When the cylinder is full, the gas pressure is much higher than the spring's resistance. The gas force pushes the spring and the piston aside, allowing the gas to exit the cylinder.

As the pressure drops to around 1.5 bar, the spring's strength becomes greater than the gas force. At this point, the spring pushes the piston back into the valve seat and retains a small amount of gas inside the cylinder. This simple yet effective design ensures that there's always a bit of pressure left within the cylinder.

Benefits of Residual Pressure Valves

Let's explore the benefits of equipping your gas cylinder with a residual pressure valve.

Prevents Contamination

In the hectic environment of healthcare, operators may occasionally forget to close the valve completely. Without an RPV in place, the cylinder stored outside is exposed to changing temperatures and weather, enabling the ingress of moisture and particles. The positive pressure, anywhere from 1 to 5 bar, retained by the RPV keeps the gas tank contaminant-free.

Extends Cylinder Lifespan

Empty metal cylinders left open to the air may come into contact with moisture, leading to corrosion. Over time, rust can weaken the structural integrity of the cylinder and make it unsafe for reuse. RPV protects the cylinder from moisture and extends its lifespan.

Eliminates the Need for Purging

In a cylinder filling station, empty cylinders are typically vacuum-cleaned to remove any contaminants or impurities before being refilled. This process, known as cylinder purging, helps maintain the purity of the gas content. Cylinders with RPD installed eliminate the need for purging and can be refilled directly with a specialized adapter. This not only saves businesses valuable time but also reduces costs.

Now that you're familiar with the advantages of RPVs, it's time to consider the best option for your business. Our pin-index oxygen tank valve with Residual Pressure Device (RPD) offers precise gas control while providing all the safety and economic benefits of an RPV.

By installing our medical valves in your cylinder fleet, you'll be able to:

• Prevent contamination
• Extend the life of your cylinders
• Cut costs on refilling
• Speed up refilling process

Our pin index valve is compatible with a variety of medical gases and available in all common inlet connections. So, you can find the perfect fit for your needs. Reach out to the GCE Medical team today to get your ideal valve and start reaping the benefits!