What is one of the roles of a safety valve in steam systems?

The function of a safety valve in steam systems is primarily to release excess pressure and prevent explosions. Safety valves are crucial safety devices designed to safeguard both the boiler and the surrounding environment. When steam builds up to a pressure that exceeds the safe operating limits of the boiler, the safety valve automatically opens to relieve the pressure. This release helps to maintain safe operating conditions, thereby preventing potential catastrophic failures, including explosions which can occur if the pressure reaches critical levels.

While other options touch on various aspects of boiler operation, they do not directly pertain to the primary purpose of a safety valve. For instance, increasing system efficiency is typically associated with optimizing heat transfer and energy use rather than pressure regulation. Monitoring steam purity is an important factor in steam quality control but is not a function of a safety valve. Maintaining a constant temperature is more related to temperature control devices and not the specific role of a safety valve. Thus, the role of a safety valve as a mechanism to release excess pressure is vital for ensuring safe boiler operation.