Satish Lele
lelepiping@gmail.com


View this page as YouTube Video Presentation
VALVES

Valve cost is up to 20 to 30% of the piping cost for a plant, depending on the process and the cost of a given type and size of valve can vary 100%, depending on its construction. Thus the selection of valves is extremely important to the economics, as well as operation, of process plants. The Process Engineer assumes the overall responsibility of establishing process design parameters of temperature, pressure, flow, start-up and shut-down procedures. The size of a valve is determined by the size of its ends which connect to the pipe. Port size may be smaller. Depending on the size of the required valve and availability, selection of stem type can be based on :

  1. Whether it is undesirable for the conveyed fluid to be in contact with the thread bearing surface.

  2. Whether an exposed screw is liable to be damaged by abrasive atmospheric dust.

  3. Whether it is necessary to see whether the valve is open or closed. In addition to these most other valves have a simple rotary stem. Rotary, Ball, Plug, and Butterfly valves have a rotary stem which is moved by a permanent lever, or tool applied to a square boss at the end of the stem.

Parts of Valves
  1. Disc, Seat and Port : These components are directly used for stopping and regulating the flow. The moving part directly affecting the flow is termed as disc, regardless of its shape. The non-moving part it bears on, is termed as the seat. The port is the maximum internal opening for flow (that is, when the valve is fully open). Discs may be actuated by conveyed fluid or be moved by stem having a linear, rotary or helical movement. The stem can be moved manually or be driven hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically, under remote or automatic control, or mechanically by weighted lever, springs etc.

  2. Stem : There are two types of screwed stems, the rising stem and non-rising stem. These are moved by hand-lever or hand-wheel. Rising Stem (generally for gate and globe valves) are made either with inside screw (IS) or outside screw (OS). The OS type has a yoke on the bonnet and the assembly is referred to as outside screw and yoke (OS and Y). The hand-wheel can either rise with the stem, or the stem can rise through the hand wheel. Non-rising stem valves are of Gate type. The hand wheel and the stem are in the same position whether the valve is open or closed. The screw is inside the bonnet and in contact with conveyed fluid. A "Floor Stand" is a stem extension for use with both types of stem, where it is necessary to operate a valve through a floor or platform. Alternately, rods fitted with universal joints may be used to bring a valve hand wheel within an operator's reach. Depending on the size of the required valve and availability, selection of stem type can be based on :

    • Whether it is undesirable for the conveyed fluid to be in contact with the threatened bearing surfaces.

    • Whether an exposed screw is liable to be damaged by abrasive atmospheric dust.
    • Whether it is necessary to use if the valve is open or closed.

    In addition to the preceding types of stem used with gate and globe valves, most other valves have a simple rotary stem. Rotary-ball, plug and butterfly valves have a rotary stem which is moved by a permanent lever, or tool applied to a square boss at the end of the stem.

  3. Bonnet : There are three basic types of attachments for valve bonnets: screwed (including union), bolted and breech lock. A screwed bonnet may occasionally stick and turn when a valve is opened. Although sticking is less of a problem with the union type bonnet, valves with screwed bonnets are best reserved for services presenting no hazard to personnel. Union bonnets are more suitable for small valves requiring frequent dismantling than the simple screwed type. The bolted bonnet has largely displaced screwed and union bonnet valves in hydrocarbon applications. A U-bolt or clamp type bonnet is offered on some small gate valves for moderate pressures, to facilitate frequent cleaning and inspection. The pressure seal is a variation of bolted bonnet used for high pressure valves, usually combined with OS and Y construction. It makes use of line pressure to tighten and seal an internal metal ring or gasket against the body. A critical factor for valves used for process chemicals is the lubrication of the stem. Care needs to be taken for selection of packing, gland design and choice of lubricant. As an option the bonnet may include a Lantern Ring which serves two purposes, either to act as a collection point to drain off any hazardous seepages, or as a point where lubricant can be injected. The breech lock is a heavier infrequently used and more expensive construction, also for high pressure use, and involves seal welding of the bonnet with the body.

  4. Body : The selection of material to fabricate the interior of the valve body is important with a valve used for process chemicals. There is often a choice with regard to the body and trim, and some valves may be obtained with the entire interior of the body lined with corrosion- resistant material. Valves are connected to pipe, fittings or vessels by their body ends, which may be flanged, screwed, butt or socket welding, or finished for hose, sleeve coupling. Jacketed valves are also available.

  5. Seal : In most stem operated valves, whether the stem has rotary or linear movement, packing or seals are used between stem and bonnet (or body). If high vacuum or corrosive, flammable or toxic fluid is to be handled, the disc or stem may be sealed by metal bellows, or by a flexible diaphragm (the later is termed pack-less construction). A gasket is used as seal between a bolted bonnet and valve body. Flanged valves use gaskets to seal against the line flanges. Butterfly valves may extend the resilient seat to also serve as line gaskets. The pressure-seal bonnet joint utilizes the pressure of conveyed fluids to tighten the seal.

  6. Operator : This is a device which opens or closes a valve. Different devices are available.

    • Manual Operators
      • Hand lever : It is used to actuate the stems of small butterfly, ball, plug valves and cocks. Wrench operation is used for cocks and small plug valves.

      • Hand Wheel : It is the most common means of rotating the stem on the majority of popular smaller valves such as gate, globe and diaphragm. Additional operating torque for gate and globe valves is offered by hammer blow or impact hand wheels which may be substituted for normal hand wheels, if easier operation is needed but where gearing is unnecessary.

      • Chain : It is used where a hand wheel would be out of reach. The stem is fitted with a chain wheel or wrench (for lever operated valves) and loop of the chain is brought within one meter of working floor level. Universal type chain wheels which attach the regular hand wheel have been blamed for accidents, in corrosive atmospheres, where an infrequently operated valve has stuck, the attaching bolts have been known to fail. This problem does not arise with the chain-wheel that replaces the regular valve hand-wheel.

      • Gear : These are used to reduce the operating torque. For manual operation, it consists of a hand wheel operated gear train actuating the valve stem. As a guide, gear operators should be considered for valves of 350 mm NB and larger up to 300#, 200 mm NB and larger up to 600#, 150 mm NB and larger up to 1500# and 100 mm NB and larger for higher ratings.

    • Powered Operators
      • Electric Geared Motor : The valve stem is moved by Geared Motor. This is useful for operating large valves in remote areas.

      • Solenoid : These can be used for fast acting check valves, and with on/off valves in light-duty instrumentation applications.

      • Pneumatic and Hydraulic : These may be used where flammable vapor is likely to be present. They are of following forms:

        • Cylinder with double acting piston driven by air, water, oil or other liquid which usually actuates the stem directly.

        • Air motor which actuates the stem through gearing. These motors are commonly piston and cylinder radial type.

        • A double acting vane with limited rotary movement in a sector casing, actuating the stem directly.

        • Squeeze type.

    Gate Valve : There are different types of gate valves.
    1. Plug Gate Valves : This valve has round tapered disc which moves up and down. Suitable for throttling and full flow use, but only available in smaller sizes.

    2. Single Disc Parallel Seat Gate Valve : Unlike single seat valve described above, this valve affords closure with flow in either direction. Stresses on stem and bonnet are lower than wedge gate valves. It is primarily used for liquid hydrocarbons and gases.

    3. Single Disc Single Seat Gate Valve or Slide Valve: It is used for handling paper pulp slurry and other fibrous suspensions, and for low pressure gases. It will not function properly with inflow on the seat side. It is suitable for regulating if tight closure is not required.

    4. Double Disc (Split Wedge) Gate Valve : In this discs wedge against inclined seats without use of a spreader. Other features are same as parallel seat. It allows the disc to rotate, distributing wear.

    5. Double Disc Parallel Seat Gate Valve : It has two parallel discs which are forced on closure, against parallel seats by a spreader. It is used for liquids and gases at normal temperatures. Unsuitable for regulation. To prevent jamming it is installed vertically.

    6. Solid Wedge Gate Valve : It has either solid or flexible wedge disc. In addition to on/off service, these valves can be used for regulating usually in sizes of 150 mm NB and larger, but it will make noise unless disc is fully guided throughout travel. Suitable for most liquids and gases.


    SIZES OF 150# GATE VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HANDLE
    DIA
    HEIGHT
    4016512714.3152330
    50178152.516203360
    65190.517817.5203415
    80203190.519254425
    10022922924254510
    12525425424305595
    150267279.525.4305685
    20029234328.6305773
    250330406.530.5408940
    300356483324571030
    350381533.5364571270
    400406.559736.55081450
    450432635405081600
    500457698.5436101810
    600508813486102170

    MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION

    BODY
    CARBON STEEL

    STAINLESS STEEL

    NICKEL ALLOY

    • MANUFACTURING STANDARDS : BS:1414/API-600/API-6D/ANSI B-16.34
    • FACE TO FACE AS PER ANSI B 16.10
    • ENDS FLANGED & DRILLED AS PER ANSI B 16.5 RF
    • TESTED AS PER BS:5146, API 598
    • AVAILABLE IN CLASS 900, 1500
    • AVAILABLE WITH ACTUATOR OPERATOR
    • AVAILABLE WITH EXTENSION STEM
    TEST PRESSURE Kg/sq cm
    CLASSHYDROSTATICAIR
    BODYSEAT & 
    BACK SEAT
    SEAT
    15030226
    30076556
    6001501106

    SIZES OF 300# GATE VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HANDLE
    DIA
    HEIGHT
    40190.515621152390
    5021616522203370
    65241.5190.525.4203440
    80282.521029254445
    10030525432254520
    125381279.535305570
    150403.5317.536.5356740
    20041938141.6406910
    250457.5444.5484581100
    300502521515081200
    350762584.5545591415
    400838.564857.56101540
    450914.5711.560.58131670
    50099177563.59651910
    6001143914.5701508GEAR

    SIZES OF 600# GATE VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HANDLE
    DIA
    HEIGHT
    40241.515628.6203380
    5029216532203445
    65330190.535254475
    8035621038254490
    10043227344.5305615
    125508330.551406765
    15055935654457840
    200660.541962508950
    250787.5508706101290
    300838.555973406GEAR
    350889603.576.5508GEAR
    40099168682.5508GEAR
    450109374389508GEAR
    500119481395.5508GEAR

    Plug Valve : It has a cylindrical or tapered plug in the body. Its advantage is that it is compact and a quarter turn valve. The tapered plug tends to jam and requires high operating torque. This is overcome to some extent by low-friction teflon seat or by lubrication (with the drawback that it may contaminate the conveyed fluid). It is mainly used for water, oil, slurries or gases as quick closing valve.

    Globe Valve : There are different types of Globe Valves.

    1. Blow Off Valve : It confirms to boiler codes. Y and angle types are often used. It is used to remove air and other gases from boilers. It is manually operated.

    2. Double Disc Globe Valve : It features two discs bearing on separate seats spaced apart on a single shaft, which frees the operator from stresses set up by the conveyed fluid pressing into the valve. It is principally used on control valves and pressure regulators for steam and other gases. Tight shut-off is not possible.

    3. Composition Disc Globe Valve : It is suitable for coarse regulation and tight shut off. Replacable composition disc construction is similar to that of a faucet. Grit will imbed in the soft disc preventing seat damage and ensuring good closure. Close regulating will rapidly damage the seat.

    4. Wye Body Globe Valve : It has in-line ports and stem emerging at about 45 deg, hence the name Y. It is preferred for erosive fluids due to smoother flow patterns.

    5. Plug Type Disc Globe Valve : It is used for severe regulating service with gritty liquids, such as boiler feed water, and for blow-off service. It is less subjected to wear under close regulation than the regular seated valve.

    6. Regular Disc Globe Valve : This is unsuitable for close regulation as disc and seat have narrow (almost line) contact.

    7. Angle Valve : This is globe valve with body ends at right angles, saving the use of a 90 deg elbow. However, higher stress may prevent its use.

    8. Straight Globe Valve : These are used for regulating service. For line sizes over 150 mm NB choice for flow control may go for gate or butterfly valve. The direction of flow around disc is in upward direction.

    SIZES OF 150# GLOBE VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HANDLE
    DIA
    HEIGHT
    2512710811.1152260
    4016512714.3152300
    50203152.516203330
    6521617817.5203334
    80241.5190.519254395
    10029222924305470
    12535625424305510
    150406.5279.525.4356570
    200495.534328.6406642
    250622.5406.530.5406768
    300698.548332508770
    350787.5533.535508 920
    400914.559736.55081010
    450978635405591062
    500978698.5435591220

    SIZES OF 300# GLOBE VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HANDLE
    DIA
    HEIGHT
    2520312417.5152295
    4022915621203310
    5026716522.2203325
    65292190.525.4254330
    80317.521028.6254450
    10035625432305515
    125400279.535356530
    150444.5317.536.5356600
    20055938141.5356730
    250622.5444.548406840
    300711.5521515081005

    SIZES OF 600# GLOBE VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HANDLE
    DIA
    HEIGHT
    2521612424152295
    40241.515628.6203310
    5029216532203325
    65330190.535254381
    8035621038254485
    10043227344.5305623
    125508330.551356660
    15055935654356778
    200660.541962406828
    250787.550870508942

    Needle Valve : It is small valve used for flow control and for dosing liquids and gases. Resistance to flow is precisely controlled by a relatively larger seat area and the adjustment afforded by fine threading of the stem.

    Squeeze Valve : It is well suited to regulating the flow of difficult liquids, slurries and powders. Maximum closure is about 80%, which limits the range of regulation, unless the variation of this type of valve with a central core (seat) is used, offering full closure.

    Pinch Valve : It is also suited to regulating flow of difficult liquids, slurries and powders. Complete closure is possible, but tends to rapidly wear the flexible tube, unless of special design.

    Ball Valve : Its advantages are low operating torque, availability in large sizes, rotary 90 deg stem movement, compactness, and in-line ability to replace of all wearing parts in some designs. Possible disadvantages are that liquid is trapped within the body (and within the disc on closure), and that compensation of wear is affected only by resilient material behind the seats, the later is avoided in single seat eccentric version, which has the ball slightly offset so that it presses into the seat, on closure. Principal uses are for water, oil, slurries, gases and vacuum. Valve is available with a ball having a shaped port for regulation.

    Butterfly Valves : This offers advantage of rotary stem movement (90 deg or less), compactness and absence of pocketing. It is available in all sizes, and can be produced in chemical-resistant and hygienic forms. The valves are used for gases, liquids, slurries, powders and vacuum. The usual resilient plastic seat has a temperature limitation, but tight closure at high temperatures is available with the version having metal ring seal around the disc. If the valve is flanged, it may be held between flanges of any type. Slip-on and screwed flanges do not form a proper seal with some wafer forms of the valve, in which the resilient seat is extended to serve also as line gaskets.

    Check Valve : There are different types of check valves.

    1. Wafer Check Valve : It affects closures by two semi-circular doors, both hinged to a central post in a ring-shaped body which is installed between flanges. It is frequently used for non-fouling liquids, as it is compact and relatively low cost. A single disc type is also available.

    2. Ball Check Valve : It is suitable for most services. The valve can handle gases, vapors and liquids, including those forming gummy deposits. The ball sits by gravity and/or back pressure, and is free to rotate, which distributes wear and aids in keeping contacting surfaces clean.

    3. Stop Check Valve : Its principal use is in steam lines, with steam generation by multiple boilers. It can be kept closed automatically or manually.

    4. Piston Check Valve : It changes the flow in 90 deg, and it also has a lifting disc. It has less pounding with frequent changes in flow direction. Spring loaded can operate in any orientation. It is not suitable for gritty liquids.

    5. Lift Check Valve : In this the disc is guided and it rises upward with fluid pressure, and closes by gravity. It can be installed horizontally or vertically if spring is provided to push the disc back.

    6. Tilting Disc Valve : It is suitable where frequent flow reversal occurs. Valve closes rapidly with better closure and less slamming than the swing check valve, which it somewhat resembles. It can be installed vertically with flow upward or horizontally.

    7. Swing Check Valve : The regular swing check valve is not suitable if there is frequent flow reversal as pounding and wearing of disc occurs. For gritty liquids, a composition disc is advisable to reduce damage to the seat. It may be mounted vertically with upward flow or horizontally.

    8. Foot Valve : It is typically used to maintain a head of water on suction side of a pump. The valve is basically a lift-check valve with a strainer integrated.


    SIZES OF 150# CHECK VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HEIGHT
    4016512714.3112
    50203152.516138
    6521617817.5160
    80241.5190.519170
    10029222924185
    12533025424215
    150356279.525.4245
    200495.534328.6305
    250622.5406.530.5340
    300698.548332400
    350787.5533.536450
    40086459736.5470
    45097863540525
    500978698.543559
    600129681348650

    SIZES OF 300# CHECK VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HEIGHT
    40241.5155.521140
    5026716522.5160
    65292190.525.4180
    80317.521029200
    10035625432225
    125400279.535250
    150444.5317.536.5265
    200533.538141.5325
    250622.5444.548390
    300711.552151465
    350838.5584.554470
    40086464857.5500
    450978711.560.5580
    500101677563.5675
    6001346914.570775

    SIZES OF 600# CHECK VALVES

    SIZE NBLENGTHDIAMETERFLANGE
    THICKNESS
    HEIGHT
    40241.5155.528.6160
    5029216532170
    65330190.535190
    8035621038200
    10043227344.5235
    125508330.551285
    15055935654325
    200660.541962425
    250787.550870500
    300838.555973500
    350889603.576.5590
    40099168682.5655
    4501092.574389680
    500119481395.5785

    Diverting Valves : Two types of diverting valves are made. Both switch flow from a line into one of two outlets. One type is of Y pattern with a hinged disc at the junction which closes one of the two outlets, and is used to handle powders and other solids. The second type handles liquids only, and has no moving parts. Flow is switched by two pneumatic control lines. It is available up to 150 mm NB.

    Multi Port Valves : It is used largely on hydraulic and pneumatic control circuits and sometimes used directly in process piping. These valves have rotary ball or plug type discs with one or more ports arranged to switch flow.

    Safety Valve : There are different types of safety valves.

    1. Ball Float Valve : These automatic valves can be used as air traps to remove water from air system, to remove air from liquid systems and act as vacuum breaker or breather valves, and to control liquid level in tank. These are not intended for removal of condensate.

    2. Safety Relief Valve : It relives excess pressure of either gas or liquid which may suddenly develop a vapor phase due to rapid and uncontrolled heating from chemical reaction in liquid-laden vessels.

    3. Relief Valve : It is used to relieve excess pressure in liquids, in situations, where full flow discharge is not required, when release of small volume of liquid would rapidly lower pressure. It is mounted vertically.

    4. Safety Valve : It is a rapidly opening (popping action) full flow valve for air and other gases. It is mounted vertically.


    Line Blind Valve : This is a positive shut-off device which basically consists of a flanged assembly, sandwiching a spectacle plate or blind. It is used where spectacle blind needs to be installed and removed frequently.

    Flush Bottom Valve : It is usually installed on tanks and vessels. These are usually globe type valves, designed to minimize pocketing, primarily for convenient discharging liquids from the low point of a tank.

    Sampling Valve : A valve usually of needle or globe pattern, placed in a branch line for the purpose of drawing off samples of process materials through a branch. Sampling from very high pressure lines is best done through a double valve collecting vessel. A cooling arrangement may be needed for sampling from high temperature lines.

    Control Valve : It automatically regulates pressure and/or flow rate, and are available for any pressure. If there are different system pressures, in a plant up to and including 300#, sometimes all control valves chosen will be rated at 300# for inter-changeability. The control valve is usually chosen to be smaller than size to avoid throttling and consequent rapid wear of the seat. Globe pattern valves are normally used for control, and their ends are usually flanged for ease of maintenance. The disc is moved by hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical or mechanical actuator.

    Pressure Regulating Valve : These are control valves of globe type which adjust downstream pressure of liquid or gas (including steam or vapor) to a lower desired value called set pressure.

    Diaphragm Valve : It is used for regulating flow of slurries and corrosive liquids and for vacuum. The term diaphragm valve is also applied to valves which have a diaphragm seal between stem and body, but these are better to as diaphragm seal or pack-less valves.

    Breather Valve : A special self acting valve installed on storage tanks, etc., to release vapor or gas on slight increase of internal pressure.


to get all the information as a eBook
back top