Pressure Pilots

BMD’s reliable pressure pilots are expertly designed for regulating pressure for a variety of applications—including gas compressors, supply pressure control and distribution systems.

Our low-pressure and high-pressure control pilots offer the powerful precision needed for OEM solutions, wastewater treatment facilities, municipal water pumping, and more.

What Are Pressure Pilots?

Pressure pilots are precision instruments used to regulate and control pressure in various industrial applications. They function as sensing and signaling devices that monitor system pressure and respond by opening, closing, or signaling when predefined thresholds are reached. In oil and gas operations, where consistent and reliable pressure control is critical, pressure pilots play an essential role in maintaining safety and operational efficiency.

How Do Pressure Pilots Work?

Pressure pilots sense pressure changes in a system and react accordingly to maintain desired pressure levels or to prevent overpressure situations. They are commonly paired with control valves to regulate the flow of gas or fluid, ensuring stability and performance.

  • Pressure Limiting Pilots protect equipment by preventing overpressure in sensitive lines or components.
  • High-Pressure Control Pilots regulate high-pressure systems, providing back pressure or pressure-reducing functionality.
  • Low-Pressure Control Pilots ensure accurate control in lower-pressure applications, often in supply and distribution systems.

Why Choose BMD Pressure Pilots?

Beaumont Manufacturing and Distribution (BMD) is a trusted name in the oil and gas industry, offering robust and reliable pressure pilots specifically engineered for high-performance applications. 

Our products stand out due to the following features:

  • Superior Durability and Construction
    Our pilots are crafted with high-quality materials, including WCB steel and stainless steel internals, to withstand harsh environments, high pressures, and extreme temperatures (-20°F to 400°F).
  • Versatile and Adjustable Designs
    With adjustable pressure ranges and reversible actions, BMD pilots adapt to meet the specific needs of any application.
  • NACE Compliance
    Designed to meet NACE standards, our products are corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for demanding oil and gas environments.
  • Compact and Field-Friendly
    BMD pressure pilots are designed with a compact footprint, making installation and maintenance simple, even in space-constrained areas.

Our Product Line

PL30 Pressure Limiting Pilot

  • Purpose: Protects sense lines and low-volume equipment from overpressure.
  • Features: 4000 psi rating, adjustable limit up to 300 psi, automatic reopening once pressure normalizes.
  • Applications: Typically paired with the PC48 for sense line protection.
  • Specifications:
    • Connection: 1/4” FNPT
    • Pressure Rating: 4000 PSI
    • Adjustable Range: 0–300 PSI
    • Compact and NACE compliant

PC88 High-Pressure Control Pilot

  • Purpose: Serves as a back pressure or pressure-reducing regulator with a control valve.
  • Features: Field reversible, direct or reverse acting, and NACE compliant.
  • Applications: Suitable for high-pressure regulation and signaling above or below set points.
  • Specifications:
    • Pressure Range: 125–1500 psi
    • Temperature Range: -20°F to 400°F
    • Sensitivity: 1 psi sense pressure = 1 psi output pressure
    • Weight: 17 lbs.

PC48 Low-Pressure Control Pilot

  • Purpose: Ensures precision pressure regulation in lower-pressure systems.
  • Features: Rugged, economical design with backpressure and pressure-reducing capabilities.
  • Applications: Ideal for inlet pressure regulation, compressors, and supply control.
  • Specifications:
    • Pressure Range: 5–300 psi
    • Temperature Range: -20°F to 400°F
    • Sensitivity: 1 psi sense pressure = 8 psi output pressure
    • Weight: 16 lbs.

Built for the Oil and Gas Industry

BMD pressure pilots are purpose-built for the challenges of the oil and gas industry. Whether regulating compressor inlet pressures, controlling distribution systems, or protecting sensitive equipment, our pilots deliver the performance and reliability you need.

Design Considerations

The design of pressure pilot valves requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal performance and reliability in pressurized systems. These valves play a crucial role in controlling system pressure and protecting components from potentially damaging pressure spikes. 

By examining key aspects such as materials and construction, pressure ranges, and flow capacity, engineers can create pressure pilot valves that meet the specific needs of diverse applications.

Materials and Construction

The selection of materials for pressure pilot valves is critical to their durability and functionality. These valves must withstand the forces applied to them during operation, including internal and external pressures and associated pressure rise rates. Compatibility with the system fluid and environmental conditions is also essential. Common materials used in pressure pilot valve construction include:

 

  1. Body and cover: Ductile iron, cast steel, or bronze
  2. Disk retainer and diaphragm washer: Cast iron, cast steel, or bronze
  3. Trim components (disk guide, seat, and cover bearing): Bronze or stainless steel
  4. Disk: Buna-N® rubber, Buna, Viton 
  5. Diaphragm: Nylon-reinforced Buna-N® 
  6. Stem, nut, and spring: Stainless steel

For pilot control systems, bronze is typically used, with stainless steel trim and orifice plates. Some manufacturers offer optional materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, or Monel for specific applications or environments.

Pressure Ranges

Pressure pilot valves are designed to operate within specific pressure ranges, which are determined by the requirements of the system they protect. Key pressure ratings to consider include:

  1. Operating pressure: The normal working pressure range of the valve
  2. System pressure: The maximum nominal pressure of the system
  3. Proof pressure: The pressure the valve can withstand without permanent deformation or performance degradation
  4. Burst pressure: The pressure at which the valve can survive without rupturing

 

Pressure pilot valves are available in various pressure ranges to suit different applications.

Flow Capacity

The flow capacity of a pressure pilot valve is crucial for ensuring that the system pressure does not reach critical levels. The valve must allow a sufficient volume of fluid to exit within a limited time frame, based on factors such as:

  1. Potential rate of pressure increase (pressure rise rate)
  2. Volume of fluid in the system
  3. Volume of fluid that needs to be displaced to alleviate pressure increase

Flow capacity is typically defined at a specific pressure known as the flow point pressure, overpressure point, or relief flow pressure. This pressure is always higher than the cracking pressure and may indicate when the valve is in its fully open state. The flow capacity ensures that the pressure pilot valve opens and can relieve enough fluid at a low enough pressure to prevent further increases or reduce system pressure to safe levels.

Conclusion

Pressure pilots play a vital role in pressurized systems, ensuring the protection of pilot components and maintaining optimal pressure levels. With the use of control accessories like a pilot adapter and a blowdown valve, these systems enhance the safety and efficiency of equipment across various industries, including industrial machinery and steam mains. In applications such as steam usage, the main valve opens once the set point is reached, allowing for precise pressure regulation.