What does a bypass valve do?

A bypass valve is specifically designed to allow fluid to flow through an alternate pathway, which enables maintenance or repair work on a primary system without interrupting the overall flow of the process. This capability is essential for maintaining continuous operations in industrial systems because it allows parts of the system to be serviced or inspected while minimizing downtime.

In essence, the bypass valve creates a safe and efficient way to perform system maintenance. By redirecting flow, it ensures that production continues even when a part of the system might be taken offline. This function is crucial in various applications, particularly in industries like oil and gas, where maintaining constant throughput can significantly impact overall productivity and operational efficiency.

The other answers focus on functions that do not accurately describe the role of a bypass valve, highlighting its unique contribution to process maintenance and stability.