TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

GATE VALVES (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO

ISO 10434)

MESC SPE 77/102

August 2008

MESC SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

This document is restricted. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of Shell Global
Solutions International B.V., The Netherlands. The copyright of this document is vested in this company. All rights reserved. Neither the whole nor any part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
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PREFACE

MESC (Materials and Equipment Standards and Code) SPE documents reflect the views, at the time of publication, of:
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Shell GSI)
and/or
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. (SIEP)
and/or
other Shell Service Companies.
They are based on the experience acquired during their involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities, and they are supplemented with the experience of Shell Operating Units.
Where appropriate they are based on, or reference is made to, international, regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the recommended standard for good design and engineering practice applied by Shell companies
operating an oil refinery, gas handling installation, chemical plant, oil and gas production facility, or any other such
facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where MESC SPEs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition
at each locality. The system of MESC SPEs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to
adapt the information set forth in MESC SPEs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use MESC SPEs they shall be solely responsible for the quality of work
and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow those practices, which will achieve the same level of
integrity as reflected in the MESC SPEs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting
from his own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.
The right to use MESC SPEs is granted by Shell GSI, in most cases under Service Agreements primarily with Shell
companies and other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Service
Company. Consequently, three categories of users of MESC SPEs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or other Shell Service Company. The use of MESC
SPEs by these Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service
Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorized to use MESC SPEs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether
as part of a Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)
which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI
disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or
person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any MESC SPE,
combination of MESC SPEs or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell
GSI or other Shell Service Company. The benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any
Shell Service Company, or companies affiliated to these companies, that may issue MESC SPEs or require the use of
MESC SPEs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, MESC
SPEs shall not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person
whomsoever and the MESC SPEs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the
user. They shall be returned after use, including any copies, which shall only be made by users with the express prior
written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of MESC SPEs vests in Shell GSI. Users shall arrange for MESC SPEs to
be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how
users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the MESC SPE Administrator in Shell GSI.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS .........4
1.3 DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................4
1.4 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION...................................................................4
1.5 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE............................................................................5
PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 10434:2004 ............................................6
PART III REFERENCES .........................................................................................................11
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PART I INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This MESC SPE specifies requirements for bolted bonnet gate valves.
This MESC SPE shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Description,
purchase order or requisition sheet.
The requirements for operation and maintenance of gate valves are outside the scope of
this MESC SPE.
This MESC SPE is written as amendments and supplements to ISO 10434:2004, which are
covered in Part II of this MESC SPE. The clause numbering of ISO 10434:2004 has been
retained and any amendments are identified as ‘Add’, ‘Modify to read’ or ‘Delete’. Any
clauses of ISO 10434:2004 that are not amended or supplemented by this MESC SPE shall
apply as written.
API STD 600, 11th edition, is technically identical to ISO 10434:2004, except for a few
modifications given in API STD, 11th edition Annex C. These modifications have been
reviewed in this MESC SPE and have been incorporated where appropriate.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this MESC SPE is confined to
Shell companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers
nominated by them.
This MESC SPE is intended for use in oil refineries, chemical plants, gas plants, exploration
and production facilities and, where applicable, supply/distribution installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this MESC SPE the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of
the requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all cases
the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this
MESC SPE which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or
local regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the
objective being to obtain agreement to follow this MESC SPE as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.4 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

The previous edition of this MESC SPE was dated June 2007. Changes since the previous
edition:
- Reworded and moved stem galling requirements (from paragraph 5.9.2 to 5.4.2)
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- Tolerances for bolt holes are specified;

- Spacer ring, seat ring and retaining tab material is further specified;
- Maximum chloride content of hydrotest water (with flushing) is reduced to 30 mg/kg;
- Stem extension requirements are rephrased and slightly modified.
- Limitations put on stem nut or stem bushing material.

1.5 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Comments on this MESC SPE may be sent to the MESC SPE Administrator at
standards@shell.com. Shell staff may also post comments on this MESC SPE on the
Surface Global Network (SGN) under the Standards folder.
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PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 10434:2004

4.4 Add:
If a body cavity relief is specified:
- The body cavity relief shall be a pressure equalising hole with a diameter of at
least 3 mm (0.12 in), drilled in the closure member outside the seat facing area.
The pressure relief hole shall connect the valve body cavity to the High
Pressure (HP) side of the closure member when this is in the closed position.
- Other pressure relief provisions (e.g. a machined groove in one of the seat
rings) shall not be used.
- The maintenance manual shall show how the closure member must be
assembled.
5.3.1.3 Add:
The following tolerances shall apply:
- The maximum allowed lateral misalignment (i.e. the offset of the flange centre
lines) for valves ≤ DN 50 (NPS 2) is 1.5 mm (0.06 in).
- The maximum allowed lateral misalignment for valves > DN 50 (NPS 2) is 2 mm
(0.08 in).
- For the angular flange misalignment (parallelism of aligned flange faces), the
maximum measured difference between flange faces shall be no greater than
2.5 mm/m (0.03 in/ft)
- The maximum total misalignment of bolt holes shall be no greater than 2.0 mm
(0.08 in) at the bolt holes for valves ≤ DN 100 (NPS 4), and 3.0 mm (0.12 in) for
valves > DN 100 (NPS 4).
5.3.3.2 Modify 1st sentence to read:
Corrosion resistant steel valves shall have integral or fully welded-in body seats.
Add:
Threaded-in body seats shall be positively secured against loosening.
5.4.2 Add to 1st item:
The clearance between the bushing and the stem shall be sufficient to prevent
galling, including differential thermal expansion cases under all operating
conditions.
Modify 2nd item to read:
- an integral or fully welded-in surface in case of an corrosion resistant steel
valve.
5.5.4 Add:
Spiral wound gaskets shall be fully confined or provided with outer and inner rings.
5.5.8 Add:
The bolt sizing shall also be in accordance with ASME VIII Division 1, Appendix 2.
5.6.2 Modify to read:
A one-piece wedge gate of a flexible wedge design shall be furnished.
5.6.6 Add:
The body and wedge guides shall be of accurate casting.
5.8.1 Add:
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- Stem sections shall be cylindrical, within a tolerance of –0/+0.005 mm

(–0/+0.0002 in).
- The stem shall be straight, within a tolerance over the travel of the stem of
–0/+0.005 mm (–0/+0.0002 in)
5.8.7 Add:
The stem retention shall be integral and of an anti-blowout design.
5.8.14 Add The yoke sleeve and/or bush shall be positively secured against loosening.
5.8.15 Add If it is specified that the valve will be installed underground or at a level below the
operator’s position, the valve shall have a stem extension to enable remote
operation. Valves to be installed underground shall also have an extension
enclosure.
If a stem extension enclosure is specified, the valve shall be provided with a fully
enclosed, coated stem protector. The minimum clearance between the top of the
stem and the top of the stem protector, with the valve in the fully open position, shall
be 25 mm (1 in). If the stem protector obscures the position of the stem it shall be
provided with a position indicator.
The design of the stem extension and protector (if applicable) shall be subject of
approval by the Principal.
5.9.2 Add:
No more than six packing rings shall be installed in the packing box.
If a spacer ring is required to reduce the depth of the stuffing box, the spacer
ring shall be of the same material as the gland ring.
5.9.3 Add:
The bottom of the packing box shall be flat.
5.9.4 Add:
The gland follower shall be installed such that it protrudes into the stuffing box by at
least 2 mm (0.08 in) before compressing the packing rings.
5.9.5 Modify to read:
The packing box wall shall not be penetrated by any drillings or bound by the
thread-end of the backseat bushing.
5.9.6 Modify to read:
The clearance between the packing box bore (inside diameter) and the outside
diameter of the gland, stem packing (Figure B.1) or spacer rings (“A” in the drawing
below) shall be no more than 50 % of the diametrical clearance between the inside
diameter of the gland, stem packing or spacer rings and the stem diameter (“B”).

5.11.1 Add:
The force required to operate the hand wheel shall not exceed 360 N. For seating
and unseating the valve a maximum momentary force Fs is allowed in accordance
with EN 12570, Clause 5.1.
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5.11.2 Add:
The hand wheel diameter shall not exceed the face-to-face or end-to-end length of
the valve or 800 mm (31.5 in), whichever is less.
5.11.4 Add:
This nut shall be positively secured against loosening.
5.11.5 Add:
If the force and dimensional limitations, specified in respectively clauses 5.11.1 and
5.11.2, are exceeded, the valve shall be provided with a gearbox:
- The gearbox shall be dust-proof and weatherproof and shall be charged with
sufficient lubricant of a suitable type.
- The connection between the valve body and the gearbox shall be vented such
that any product leakage from the stem cannot penetrate into the gearbox
housing.
- Gearboxes with an outer casing for the stem shall be provided with a position
indicator.
- The dimensions of the gearbox shall not exceed the face-to-face or end-to-end
dimensions of the valve.
- The number of hand wheel turns shall be specified in the quotation, in case the
required number of turns to move the closure member from the fully closed to
the fully open position exceeds 100.
If specified by the Principal, the valve shall be fitted with an actuator.
The valve manufacturer shall:
- Verify that the actuator manufacturer has reviewed the information supplied by
the valve manufacturer.
- Ensure that the valve stem design takes into account a safety factor based on
the maximum output torque or force of the actuator. Unless specified otherwise,
this safety factor shall be 1.5.
The actuator manufacturer shall:
- Select an actuator proportional to the valve size.
Gear operated and actuated valves shall be fitted with a mounting flange in
accordance with ISO 5210.
Gear operated and actuated valves shall have a torque-limiting device to prevent
damage to the drive train.
5.13 Add Valves containing polymeric or elastomeric materials shall be of a fire-tested design
and certified in accordance with ISO 10497, BS 6755-2, or API 6FA. Fire testing
and certification are also required for valves containing carbon yarn or graphite
grades not complying with MESC SPE 85/203 or MESC SPE 85/204.
6.1 Modify to read:
The materials shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description.
Add:
- If retaining tabs are applied for securing of valve parts, they shall be compatible
with the body material.
- Bolting and other valve components shall not be galvanised or cadmium plated.
- Material of the gearbox housing shall be nodular cast iron, carbon steel or
equivalent to the valve body material.
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6.2.1 Modify 2nd sentence to read:

The materials shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description.
6.4 Add Material acceptance
The Manufacturer shall list the material designation of all valve parts on the valve
general arrangement drawing.
Table Modify line 7 (seat ring) to read:
13
Separate seat or back seat rings: Same material composition as either the
trim or the body.

Modify line 12 (stem nut) to read:

Austenitic ductile iron (not allowed when used in combination with austenitic
stainless steel stem material), or copper alloy having a melting point above
955 °C

Add to line 3 (Yoke, separate):

Separate carbon steel yokes shall only be used for service temperatures
between minus 20 °C and 400 °C.
7.1 Add:
- Valves with stainless steel pressure containing parts (body, bonnet, cover) shall
be hydrostatically tested with demineralised water that has a chloride content of
2 mg/kg (2 ppm by mass) or less.
- If approved by the Principal, in stainless steel valves where all pressure
containing parts can be effectively flushed, the manufacturer may use potable
water (maximum chloride content of 30 mg/kg) as the test medium, provided
the hydrostatic test is immediately followed by flushing of all pressure
containing parts with demineralised water (maximum chloride content of
2 mg/kg).
- Valves with a gear operator or actuator shall be seat tested after assembly of
the operating mechanism.
Table 16 Modify 15 s to read:
60 s
Add:
The minimum test duration commences after the test pressure has stabilised.
7.4 Add:
If requested by the Principal, the Manufacturer shall provide the operating thrust
and torque (and the applied safety factors) at maximum differential pressure, and
the stroking time.
8.1 Add:
Body marking shall either be integral or be made by stamping with a low-stress die
stamp on a flange rim (for flanged valves) or on the valve body (for butt-weld or
threaded-end valves).
8.2.1 Add:
- Heat number of the body, bonnet and cover forgings and castings.
- Identification code number as specified in the MESC Buying Description.
- ‘HP’ mark on the high-pressure side of uni-directional valves, having a body
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cavity relief.
8.2.2 Add:
- Identification code number as specified in the MESC Buying Description.
8.4 Add:
- Year of manufacture.
9.4 Add:
These covers shall be designed to prevent ingress of water and dirt into the valve
during outdoor storage for at least one year.
9.8 Add The valve internals shall be thoroughly cleaned and dried and the surfaces shall be
free from test fluids, cleaning agents, loose particles and organic substances.
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PART III REFERENCES

In this MESC SPE, reference is made to the following publications:

NOTES:
1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. Most of the referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell Wide Web) at
http://sww.shell.com/standards.

SHELL STANDARDS
Graphitic packing material MESC SPE 85/203
Packing material, graphite & carbon braided yarn MESC SPE 85/204
AMERICAN STANDARDS
Bolted bonnet steel gate valves for petroleum and natural API 600, 11th edition
gas industries
Specification for fire test for valves API 6FA
Issued by:
American Petroleum Institute
Publications and Distribution Section
1220 L Street Northwest
Washington DC 20005
USA

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code – Rules for ASME VIII
construction of pressure vessels
Issued by:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME International
Three Park Avenue, M/S 10E
New York, NY 10016,
USA

BRITISH STANDARDS
Testing of valves – Part 2: Specification for fire type BS 6755-2
testing requirements
Issued by:
British Standards Institution
389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL
UK

EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Industrial valves – Method for sizing the operating EN 12570:2000
equipment
Issued by:
Commité Européen de Normalisation
Secrétariat Central
Rue de Stassart 36
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium

Copies can also be obtained from national standards

organizations.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Industrial valves – Multi-turn valve actuator attachments ISO 5210
Testing of valves – Fire type testing requirements ISO 10497
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Bolted bonnet steel gate valves for the petroleum, ISO 10434:2004
petrochemical and allied industries
Issued by:
ISO Central Secretariat
1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse
Case postale 56
CH-1211 Genève 20
Switzerland
Copies can also be obtained from national standards
organizations.