Vacuum Relief Valve: Product Literature & Maintenance Guidelines
Vacuum Relief Valve: Product Literature & Maintenance Guidelines
1.1 Vacuum Relief Valves are used to protect the tank from negative pressures in such
events as steam cleaning and product cooling. McKenzie Valve supplies threaded and
flanged designs generally used for general purpose tank cars. The valve is available with
settings between ¾ psig vacuum and 4 psig vacuum (1.5 inHg – 8.1 inHg).
1.2 The valves mount on either a 21/2” NPT, 2” ANSI 150# Flange, or a Modified ANSI 1-1/2”
ANSI 150# Flange. The valves are constructed of stainless steel with stainless trim.
1.3 The valves use a clover leaf shaped O-Ring, known as a quad seal or X-Seal.
1.4 The valves are available with several standard elastomeric material options. Alternate O-
Ring materials are also available as a special order.
O-RING
SET PRESSURE
MODEL - (PSIG)
VALVE TYPE - BODY MATERIAL - MOUNTING - ELASTOMER
MATERIAL
VRV 075 - 3/4 O - CYCLING (OBS) CS - CARBON STEEL (OBS) N1 - 1-1/2" MNPT SEE
100 - 1 T - TRICAP S4 - 304 STAINLESS STEEL N2 - 2-1/2" MNPT ELASTOMER
150 - 1.5 S - SECURECAP S6 - 316 STAINLESS STEEL F6 - 2" ANSI FLANGE, FABRICATED TABLE
200 - 2 C - COMPACT F7 - 2" ANSI FLANGE, CAST, 5/8 HOLES
250 - 2.5 F10 - 1-1/2" ANSI FLANGE, NARROW GASKET
300 - 3
400 - 4
¾ psig vacuum
Cycling
21/2” NPT
Vacuum Relief Valve
0.75 psi - 98751
DO NOT REUSE
OR REBUILD
¾ - 4 psig vacuum
Non-Cycling (No-Step)
21/2” NPT
Vacuum Relief Valve
0.75 psi - 506981
1.5 psi - 508564
2 psi - 508565
3 psi - 508556
¾ - 4 psig vacuum
Non-Cycling (No-Step)
ANSI 2” 150# Flange,
Fabricated Body
(4) 3/4 on a 4.75 BC
Vacuum Relief Valve
0.75 psi - 508424
1.5 psi - 508825
2 psi - 508826
3 psi - 508827
¾ - 4 psig vacuum
Non-Cycling (No-Step)
ANSI 2” 150# Flange,
Cast Body
(4) 3/4 on a 4.75 BC
Vacuum Relief Valve
0.75 psi - 509727
1.5 psi - 509728
2 psi - 509729
3 psi - 509730
¾ - 4 psig vacuum
Non-Cycling (No-Step)
21/2” NPT
Compact
Vacuum Relief Valve
¾ - 4 psig vacuum
Non-Cycling (No-Step)
2” Flange
(4) 5/8 on a 4.75 BC
Compact
Vacuum Relief Valve
¾ - 4 psig vacuum
Non-Cycling (No-Step)
1½” ANSI FLANGE SPCL
Req’s 3¼ x 2½ Gskt
Compact
Vacuum Relief Valve
316 SST
0.75 psi - .
3 psi - 510862
4 psi - .
2.1 The following guidelines describe McKenzie Valve and Machining LLC’s standard
disassembly and reassembly instructions. These are not meant to conflict, override,
supersede or be used in place of a company’s safety, production, and engineering
standards or government rules and regulations. All DOT, AAR, CTC, national, federal,
local, and other regulations that apply must be followed.
2.2 Only trained, qualified personnel should perform any procedures described within this
brochure.
2.3 Read and understand the entire procedure before attempting any service or inspection.
2.4 These valves are used in numerous services and complete information about the
commodity should be obtained, verified, and reviewed before any inspection or
maintenance is performed.
2.5 To avoid exposure to toxic or hazardous conditions and materials, ensure that the direct
area and all components are free of hazardous materials before performing any
maintenance.
During installation, take care to ensure the valve is in purchased condition; clean, free of
debris, and free of scratches that can lead to leakage. Use appropriate gaskets,
fasteners, torque, tools, and methods to install the valve.
2.6 To avoid physical harm, use appropriate equipment to handle the valves. The design of
Vacuum Relief Valves (VRV) utilizes a compressed spring. These springs store potential
energy that could be harmful if uncontrollably released.
Handle the valves with care to avoid damage to the valve and any of its components
which might lead to a discharge of this energy.
3.1 Vacuum relief valves are designed using three standard mounting styles.
o 2-1/2” NPT
o 2” 150# ANSI Flange (using 5/8” Clearance Hole)
o 1-1/2” 150# ANSI Flange (Using custom gasket size)
3.2 All new valves are set and tested at the McKenzie facility to ensure the quality of the
valve. Prior to installation, the valve should be handled appropriately and inspected to
ensure that the gasket sealing surfaces are clean and undamaged. If damage is found,
the valve will require maintenance.
3.3 As each manufacturer may impose different requirements based on service and design,
install the valve using the tank car manufacturer’s, or other end user’s, specified
materials and procedures.
3.4 The valve is designed to be installed with the cap outside the tank. Inspect the sealing
surfaces and position the appropriate gasket between the valve and its mounting surface.
Carefully lower the valve into position taking care to align the gasket, valve, threads
and/or mounting surface.
3.5 If using a flanged VRV, check to ensure that the fastener threads are clean. As the
fasteners are installed, they should be equally tightened in increments to ensure proper
alignment and even gasket compression. See Figure 1. As a general rule, the increments
should be hand tight, then one third of required torque, then two-thirds, then the complete
torque. The fasteners should not be tightened in a circular, or rotational, pattern as this
may distort the gasket and result in uneven sealing. A criss-cross, or star, pattern should
be used. Once the fasteners are fully tightened, a circular pattern can be used to check
the torques.
4 1
2 3
Figure 1
3.6 After the valve is installed, check for leakage around the newly installed gasket or
threads. If any leaks are detected, the valve should be removed, the valve and mounting
surfaces should be inspected, and a new gasket, O-Ring or thread tape must be
installed.
4.1 The VRV is not meant to be manually operated. This valve is designed for significantly
low forces and the spring is inherently weak. Do not attempt to manually actuate the
valve, as side loading may occur which in turn may damage the spring inside valve.
5.1 Read and understand the entire procedure before attempting any service or inspection.
Follow all safety procedures applicable.
5.2 Before disassembling the valve, measure the assembled height of the spring in the valve.
This measurement will be used when assembling the valve.
5.3 Hold Stem Base (3), remove Nut (5) and Washer (8).
5.4 Remove Cap (2), Spring (4), and Retaining Ring (7)
5.9 Hold Stem Base (3), remove Nut (5) and Washer (7).
under the Cover (2) and slowly prying upward by rotating the screwdriver blade.
5.14 If applicable, remove the two tack welds securing the Cover (2) to the Body (1).
5.16 Hold Stem Base (3) from underneath using a standard ratchet and extension, remove Nut
6.1 When a VRV is removed from an existing application, it must be cleaned and inspected.
6.2 All elastomeric and gasket materials must be removed and discarded. While removing
them, do not use any tools that may cause scratches or grooves. Ensure that all existing
elastomeric and gasket material is removed.
6.3 Inspect the sealing surfaces. For a flat face flange, inspect for scratches that can be
detected by sliding a fingernail across. For O-ring and quad-seal sealing surfaces,
inspect for any scratches on the smooth sealing surface. Any pitting or irregularities,
which can be seen or felt, may be cause for rejecting the part.
6.4 Replace the Cap, Body, and Stem/Plug as necessary. Do not attempt to remachine any
sealing surfaces.
6.5 Clean all threads where oil was applied during disassembly. These may include top
fasteners, the lock nut threads on the stem, and pipe threads on a flanged body.
7.1 Inspect all components and ensure they are clean, free of nicks and scratches and are in
proper condition for assembly.
7.2 Select the o-ring, quad-seal, and/or gasket material per customer’s requirements. Clean
and inspect the quad-seal and then apply a very thin film of food grade silicone sealant
compound to the quad-seal. Dow Corning (Molycote) 111 is an acceptable compound,
unless otherwise specified by the customer.
7.3 Insert the quad seal into the stem. See Figure 2.
Figure 2
7.4 Seat the quad-seal into the stem by applying pressure to the OD surface of the quad seal
and rotating the stem at least 360 degrees.
7.6 Hold Stem Base (3), apply Retaining Ring (7), center Spring (4) in Body (1)
7.7 Apply Cap (2), apply Nut (5) and Washer (8).
7.8 Tighten Nut (5) against the Cap (2) until there is no more thread travel.
7.9 Hold Stem Base (3), center Spring (4) in Body (1)
7.11 Tighten Nut (5) against the Washer (7) until there is no more thread travel.
7.14 Tighten Screws (8) evenly until they are all tight against the cover.
7.15 Hold Stem Base (3), center Spring (4) in Body (1)
7.17 Tighten Nut (5) against the Washer (7) until there is no more thread travel.
7.20 The Cover (2) must be tack welded to the Body (1) in two places using a 309L electrode
or filler metal.
8.1 Testing methods will vary highly depending on test fixture available. The following is a
guideline and should be tailored to the exact fixture used.
8.2 For Flanged VRVs, bolt or clamp the valve to the fixture
8.3 For threaded VRVs, Thread the valve into the fixture. TFE tape does not need to be
used as the fixture should be designed to seal against an O-ring against the bottom
taper.
Figure 3
8.4 Apply a vacuum to the valve and determine a Set Pressure. This is accomplished by
drawing a vacuum until the valve releases or by drawing a maximum vacuum and
measuring how much is being pulled through the valve. Either method is acceptable.
Table 10
8.6 If the valve is not within tolerance, the valve must be disassembled and the spring must
be adjusted by stretching or compression. Alternatively, the washer may be cupped to
achieve minor adjustments.
8.7 After testing for set pressure, the valve should be tested for low positive pressure sealing.
8.8 Apply 2-3 psig positive air or nitrogen pressure to the valve.
8.9 Apply leak detection fluid around the mounting connection to ensure that the valve is not
leaking at that connection.
8.11 Wait 2-5 seconds for the pressure to equalize. Watch the gauge for one minute.
Pressure loss in excess of 0.2 psig is considered failure and the valve will have to be
rebuilt.
8.12 If the valve passes the 2-3 psig pressure degradation test, apply 80-100 psig positive air
or nitrogen pressure to the valve.
8.14 Wait 2-5 seconds for the pressure to equalize. Watch the gauge for one minute.
Pressure loss in excess of 5 psig is considered failure and the valve will have to be
rebuilt.
8.15 Remove the valve from the test fixture and apply to tank car or package to keep it clean
from dust and debris.
9.2 The valve has (4) holes around its perimeter. Block these holes with a ring of tape,
earplugs, or other method. They do not have to be completely sealed, only blocked to a
minimal flow which can be detected with leak detection fluid.
9.3 Apply an approved leak detection fluid, Winton Sherlock Type CG is recommended,
around the top cover and the four holes. Any pressure leaking through the valve will
attempt to escape around the hole blockage or the cap and can easily be seen.
10.0 Revisions
Added “If applicable, remove the two tack welds securing the
9/2018 5.14
Cover (2) to the Body (1)”.
9/2020 3.5, 7.3 & 8.3 Added Figure 1, 2 & 3 below figures.
Always check for the current guidelines for McKenzie Valve and Machining LLC’s products at:
www.McKValve.com
For other correspondence, mail or call at: