Understanding Your Regulator Options

This article and accompanying video are an excerpt from the Swagelok® Regulator Selection & Optimization Webinar presented by Swagelok Field Engineer Supervisor Jon Kestner. 

First and foremost, we need to ensure that the function of the regulator is what our system needs. Once you realize that there are many different regulators available, you understand that they can fit very specific applications, like vacuum regulators and steam regulators. 

Regulator Options

While you have many options when it comes to regulators, the two big ones are pressure-reducing regulators and back-pressure regulators. Here’s a rundown of each regulator type: 

Pressure-Reducing Regulators

Pressure-reducing regulators take a high-pressure source like a gas or a liquid and then reduce that pressure down to something usable for your needs. 

Back-Pressure Regulators

Back-pressure regulators control upstream pressure and keep the pressure within a specified limit. 

Differential Pressure Regulators

Differential pressure regulators are for when you want to reference another part of the system or a different system, and you always want the setpoint to track along with a little bit of differential on top.

Changeover Regulators

Changeovers do exactly what the name implies. They automatically change from one source of gas to another to ensure that you have constant pressure delivery.

Vaporizing Regulators

Vaporizing regulators have a heating element in them to help the vaporization process. 

Understanding Your Options

You can get into many different types of specialty regulators. The above is just a small list of some of the most common regulators you may come across. To learn more about regulators, watch the Swagelok Regulator Selection & Optimization Webinar, visit our Swagelok regulators product page, or contact us at 412.761.3212.