The pressure in a gas bottle varies with the amount of gas in the bottle and with the temperature. So, the pressure is not always the same. To ensure that the working pressure is always constant, we use a gas pressure regulator. This lowers the pressure: it is a reducing valve. When connecting the gas pressure regulator, make sure that it indicates the same gas pressure as the equipment to be connected (30 mbar).
The pressure regulator consists of two ‘chambers’:
- One (through which the gas flows) is isolated from the outside air and contains the pressure reducing valve.
- The other is connected to the outside air through the ventilation opening and contains the regulator (this is a spring with a certain tension force).
These two ‘chambers’ are separated by a flexible membrane.
The propane or butane gas is under high pressure in the bottle or tank and enters the pressure regulator. The pressure inside the pressure regulator (chamber) rises. As a result, the inner diaphragm and the valve attached to it are pushed away, limiting the inflow of the gas. When the gas exits the pressure regulator, the internal pressure decreases again and the diaphragm is pushed back again by the spring. This causes the valve to open and more gas flows into the pressure regulator. The pressure is therefore mainly dependent on the pressure of the spring, which is set to a certain flow rate.