Gas Regulators are used to regulate the flow of gas in various applications. These include HVAC, Industrial, and Domestic applications. There are many different types of regulators, such as dual-stage and industrial models.

Natural gas
Designed to bring the pressure of natural gas entering a home to an acceptable level, natural-gas regulators help prevent pressure fluctuations. This is because gas is typically conveyed outside a building at a much higher pressure than required. Regulators work by regulating the gas flow through the piping system, preventing the pressure from escalating and causing the system to experience malfunctions. There are two main types of natural gas regulators: self-operated and direct-operated. The former operates by using a spring valve mechanism to control the flow of gas. The valve position changes automatically based on the downstream pressure. If more gas flows through the pipe, the pressure will rise, while if less gas is flowing, the pressure will drop.

A single-stage or dual-stage regulator reduces pressure in one step within a range. This means that the pressure delivered by the regulator will change over time. Single-stage regulators are best for applications where the inlet or outlet pressure is constant, and where the regulator can operate independently of the gas company. However, this type of regulator can be inconvenient for high-pressure environments. For those applications where the outlet and inlet pressures are not consistent, a dual-stage regulator is best.

Industrial
Industrial gas regulators are critical components used in many different applications. The market for industrial gas regulators is expected to grow in the near future, due to the increasing demand for novel products and technologies. One of these developments is the replacement of the piston in gas regulators, which enables the equipment to operate at a higher frequency and with greater pressure stability.

Dual-stage
A dual-stage gas regulator allows for precise regulation of working pressure. Its two-stage design makes it suitable for use in high-purity and corrosive gases. It is also ideal for use in laser gas systems, process analysers, and research sample systems. This type of regulator is able to provide a stable outlet pressure, regardless of any change in cylinder pressure. This makes it an excellent choice for welding, chemical and other industries.

The dual-stage regulator has an inlet valve and an outlet. High-pressure gas enters the regulator through the inlet valve, which is controlled by a needle valve. As the gas enters the regulator, pressure builds inside the regulator, pushing a diaphragm closed. A pressure gauge is built into the outlet side of the regulator, which displays the gas pressure. As the gas is withdrawn from the outlet, the pressure in the regulator falls, and the diaphragm pushes back. The valve opens when the pressure inside the regulator reaches equilibrium.