How is the relieving capacity of a safety valve measured?

The relieving capacity of a safety valve is measured in pounds of steam per hour. This measurement indicates the maximum amount of steam that the safety valve can discharge in order to relieve pressure from a boiler system or other pressurized vessel. Understanding this capacity is critical for ensuring that the valve can effectively prevent overpressure situations that may lead to hazardous conditions.

This measurement is particularly important in applications involving high-pressure boilers, as it helps determine whether a specific safety valve is adequate for the system's requirements. If the relieving capacity is too low, the valve may not be able to handle the pressure fluctuations adequately, potentially leading to a dangerous situation.

The other options do not pertain to how the relieving capacity is measured for safety valves. Gallons of water per minute is a flow measurement commonly used in water systems, decibels of noise produced relate to sound levels, and temperature in degrees Fahrenheit pertains to thermal conditions, none of which are relevant to the capacity of a safety valve to relieve pressure.