What is the primary role of an overpressure protection device?

The primary role of an overpressure protection device is to limit gas pressure in a system. These devices are crucial for maintaining safety and functionality within gas systems, as they prevent excessive pressure from reaching equipment and components that could be damaged or could pose a safety risk. By ensuring that pressure does not exceed a predetermined safe level, overpressure protection devices help to avoid dangerous situations that could lead to equipment failure or catastrophic events.

Focusing on the other choices, the option emphasizing increasing gas pressure would be contrary to the purpose of an overpressure protection device, which specifically aims to prevent pressure build-up. The choice about managing gas flow rates is a relevant function of some other types of devices but does not pertain directly to pressure limitation. Lastly, changing gas types is not a function of an overpressure protection device, which is strictly designed to act on pressure levels rather than on the characteristics of the gas being used.