Release valve and method for venting a system

A portion of a system through which a fluid is flowable, said portion of the system comprising:

• a conduit having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passageway through which the fluid is flowable and an opening extending through said conduit from said outer surface to said inner surface;
• and
• a membrane extending across said opening, said membrane operable to permit passage through said passageway of gas at a first pressure, inhibit passage through said passageway of liquid at said first pressure, and permit passage of liquid at a second pressure greater than said first pressure.

A method for venting a system through which a fluid is flowable, the method comprising:

• providing a membrane across an opening to the system, the membrane operable to permit passage of gas at a first pressure and inhibit passage of liquid at the first pressure.

A method for relieving a predetermined pressure in a system through which a gas and a liquid are flowable, the method comprising:

• selecting a membrane operable to permit passage of gas at a first pressure and inhibit passage of liquid at the first pressure, and the membrane operable to permit passage of liquid at the predetermined pressure;
• and
• providing the membrane across an opening to the system.