Bleedports For steam, air and gas service, a 3/32" bleedport orifice is used for main valve sizes up to 8". For 10" and 12" main valve sizes, a 1/8" bleedport orifice is used. If the initial pressure or pressure drop is less than 15 psig, the orifice is reduced to 1/16". For liquids: fuel oil utilizes a 3/32" bleedport and all other fluids utilize a 1/16" bleedport regardless of pressure conditions. For main valve sizes up to 8" on long pressure drops, the orifice is sometimes increased to 1/8" to eliminate hunting or to make the valve close faster and open slower.
