VALVES

VALVES
A valve is a device that regulates the flow of
medium (either gases fluidized solids, slurries,
or liquids) by opening, closing, or partially
obstructing various passageways along piping or
connections of equipment
Valves are used in a variety of applications in
industry, the variety of medium that flow through
valves greatly influence the choice of the closure
member and the choice of the material to be
used in constructing the various valve parts,
especially the trim which is responsible for
sealing.
VALVE PARTS
Body
The majority of the valve consists of the
valve body, including most of the exterior.
The valve body is the vessel or casing that
holds the medium going through inside the
valve. Valve bodies are most commonly
made of various metals.
VALVE PARTS
Ports
The body consists of two or more openings, called ports from which
movement occurs from one opening to the next. Valves with two or
three ports are the most common, while valves consisting of four or
more ports are not as frequently used. Manufacturing of valves often
occurs with the intent that they will be connected with another
specific object. These objects can vary, but generally these include
some type of piping, tubing, or pump head. In some cases, a valve
port is immediately connected to a spray nozzle or container. To
make a connection, valves are commonly measured by the outer
diameter the ports they connect to. For example, a 1-inch valve is
sized to connect to 1-inch outer diameter tubing.
VALVE PARTS
Discs and rotors
Inside the valve body, flow through the valve
may be partly or fully blocked by an object called
a disc. Although valve discs of some kinds of
valves are traditionally disc-shaped, discs can
come in various shapes. Although the valve
body remains stationary within the fluid system,
the disc in the valve is movable so it can control
flow. A round type of disc with fluid pathway(s)
inside which can be rotated to direct flow
between certain ports can be called a rotor. Ball
valves are valves which use spherical rotors.
VALVE PARTS
Seat
The valve seat is the interior surface in the body which contacts or
could contact the disc to form a seal which should be leak-tight,
particularly when the valve is shut (closed). If the disc moves linearly
as the valve is controlled, the disc comes into contact with the seat
when the valve is shut. When the valve has a rotor, the seat is
always in contact with the rotor, but the surface area of contact on
the rotor changes as the rotor is turned. If the disc swings on a
hinge, as in a swing check valve, it contacts the seat to shut the
valve and stop flow. In all the above cases, the seat remains
stationary while the disc or rotor moves. The body and the seat
could both come in one piece of solid material, or the seat could be
a separate piece attached or fixed to the inside of the valve body,
depending on the valve design.
VALVE PARTS
Stem
The stem is a rod or similar piece spanning the
inside and the outside of the valve, transmitting
motion to control the internal disc or rotor from
outside the valve. Inside the valve, the rod is
joined to or contacts the disc/rotor. Outside the
valve the stem is attached to a handle or another
controlling device. Between inside and outside,
the stem typically goes through a valve bonnet if
there is one. In some cases, the stem and the
disc can be combined in one piece, or the stem
and the handle are combined in one piece.
VALVE PARTS
Bonnet
A bonnet basically acts as a cover on the valve
body. It is commonly semi-permanently screwed
into the valve body. During manufacture of the
valve, the internal parts were put into the body
and then the bonnet was attached to hold
everything together inside. To access internal
parts of a valve, a user would take off the
bonnet, usually for maintenance. Many valves
do not have bonnets; for example, plug valves
usually do not have bonnets.
VALVE TYPES
Although many different types of valves are used to
control the flow of substances, the basic valve types can
be divided into two general groups: stop valves and
check valves.
Besides the basic types of valves, many special valves,
which cannot really be classified as either stop valves or
check valves, are found in industry. Many of these
valves serve to control the pressure of substances and
are known as pressure-control valves. Other valves are
identified by names that indicate their general function,
such as thermostatic re-circulating valves.
VALVE TYPES
Stop Valves
Stop valves are used to shut off or, in
some cases, partially shut off the flow of
medium. Stop valves are controlled by the
movement of the valve stem. Stop valves
can be divided into four general
categories: globe, gate, butterfly and ball
valves. Plug valves and needle valves
may also be considered stop valves.
VALVE YTPES
GLOBE VALVES
The globe valve effects
closure by a plug with a
flat or convex bottom
lowered onto a matching
horizontal seat located in
the center of the valve.
Raising the plug opens
the valve, allowing fluid
flow. The globe valve is
used for on - off service
and handles throttling
applications.
VALVE TYPES
Globe valves (continued)
Globe valve inlet and
outlet openings are
arranged in several ways
to suit varying
requirements of flow eg.
Straight-flow, angle-flow,
and cross flow. Globe
valves are used
extensively throughout
industrial plant.
VALVE TYPES
The Gate Valve
The gate valve is a
general service valve
used primarily for on -
off, non-throttling
service. The valve is
closed by a flat face,
vertical disc, or gate
that slides down
through the valve to
block the flow.
VALVE TYPES
Gate valves (continued)

Gate valves used in steam systems have flexible gates. The reason
for using a flexible gate is to prevent binding of the gate within the
valve when the valve is in the closed position. When steam lines are
heated, they will expand, causing some distortion of valve bodies. If
a solid gate fits snugly between the seat of a valve in a cold steam
system, when the system is heated and pipes elongate, the seats
will compress against the gate, wedging the gate between them and
clamping the valve shut. This problem is overcome by use of a
flexible gate (two circular plates attached to each other with a
flexible hub in the middle). This design allows the gate to flex as the
valve seat compresses it, thereby preventing clamping.
VALVE TYPES
The Butterfly Valve
The butterfly valve controls
flow by using a circular disc or
vane with its pivot axis at right
angles to the direction of flow
in the pipe. The butterfly valve
is used both for on - off and
throttling services. Butterfly
valves are relatively easy to
maintain. The resilient seat is
held in place by mechanical
means, and neither bonding
nor cementing is necessary,
Because the seat is
replaceable, the valve seat
does not require lapping,
grinding, or machine work.
VALVE TYPES
The Ball Valve
The ball valve is similar in
concept to the plug valve
but uses a rotating ball
with a hole through it that
allows straight-through
flow in the open position
and shuts off flow when
the ball is rotated 90
degrees to block the flow
passage. It is used for on
- off and throttling
services.
VALVE TYPES
The Plug Valve
The plug valve is used
primarily for on - off
service and some
throttling services. It
controls flow by means of
a cylindrical or tapered
plug with a hole in the
center that lines up with
the flow path of the valve
to permit flow. A quarter
turn in either direction
blocks the flow path.
VALVE TYPES
The Needle Valve
The needle valve is a
volume-control valve that
restricts flow in small
lines. The fluid going
through the valve turns
90 degrees and passes
through an orifice that is
the seat for a rod with a
cone-shaped tip. The size
of the orifice is changed
by positioning the cone in
relation to the seat.
VALVE TYPES
The Check Valve
The check valve is
designed to prevent
backflow. Fluid flow in
the desired direction
opens the valve, while
backflow forces the
valve closed.
VALVE TYPES
Pressure Relief
Valve
The pressure relief valve
is designed to provide
protection from over-
pressure in steam, gas,
air and liquid lines. The
valve "lets off steam"
when safe pressures are
exceeded, then closes
again when pressure
drops to a preset level.
VALVE TYPES
Diaphragm Valve
The diaphragm valve
closes by means of a
flexible diaphragm
attached to a
compressor. When the
compressor is lowered by
the valve stem onto a
weir, the diaphragm seals
and cuts off flow. The
diaphragm valve handles
corrosive, erosive and
dirty services.
VALVE TYPES
Control Valves

The control valve is designed
to ensure accurate
proportioning control of flow. It
automatically varies the rate of
flow based on signals it
receives from sensing devices
in a continuous process. Some
valves are designed
specifically as control valves.
However, most types of valves
can be used as control valves,
both linear and rotary motion,
by the addition of power
actuators, positioners, and
other accessories
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Valve maintenance should be carried out
in a workshop whenever practical, though
some maintenance can be carried out on
site, depending on the valve type, service
and as long as it is safe to do.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection and disassembly of valves:
Firstly a visual inspection of the valve can
identify if the valve is maintainable or
requires it to be replaced.
Valves to be maintained shall be
disassembled, old packing and gaskets
removed. Valve parts shall be cleaned and
inspected for necessary parts to be
replaced.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection
Threaded parts threaded parts are
visually inspected in order to identify gross
defects such as missing or incomplete
threads, defective thread profile or cracks
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Hand wheel the hand wheel shall be
inspected for worn, bent or broken spokes
and rim. Check the hand wheel is free of
burrs, metal splinters and sharp metal
edges.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Packing the packing gland flange is
visually inspected for corrosion, cracks
and straightness.
Packing gland is visually inspected for
corrosion or wear and checked
dimensionally for proper fit to stuffing box
and to the stem in accordance with
manufacturers dimensions and tolerance.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Body and bonnet body and bonnet castings
shall be visually inspected for defects, if
necessary castings may be inspected with
radiography.
Body to bonnet flanges shall be inspected for
corrosion and overall condition. Both body and
bonnet sealing surfaces shall be visually
inspected for corrosion, wear, cuts or scoring.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Seats seats shall be visually inspected
for corrosion, wear or cuts and for any
apparent leakage between seat and valve
body
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Wedge, globe, disc or clapper the
wedge, globe, disc or clapper shall be
visually inspected for corrosion, wear or
pitting
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Stem the stem shall be inspected for
straightness and damage to the threads,
backseat and/or tee head.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Inspection (continued)
Packing the packing is the material
inside the stuffing box, that prevents
leakage, if leakage is observed the
packing should be tightened by applying
more force to it by use of the stuffing box
ring. If leaking continues the packing
should be replaced.
VALVE MAINTENANCE
Valve testing if testing of the valve is
necessary it must be in accordance with
API 598.
When the valve is removed for overhaul it
is tested to establish the sealing between
valve seats and closure member, the
sealing of the gasket between valve body
and cap cover and the sealing of the
packing in the stuffing box.