VALVES

VALVES

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 VALVES (Classroom 1 Wk)
Aim
To provide trainees with a basic understanding of the different
types of valves used in the process industry
Principle Enabling Objectives
At the end of this unit the trainee will be able to.....
describe the construction and basic operation of the following
types of valves:
Plug Valve Diaphragm Valve
Ball Valve Pressure Safety Valve (PSV)
Gate Valve Check or Non-return Valve (NRV)
Globe Valve Pressure relief Valve (PRV
Needle Valve Butterfly Valve
Assessment: Written Test
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 VALVES

Introduction
Valves are the most common components in process piping
systems.
They are the main method of fluid (liquid & gas) control:
Flow
Pressure
Direction
Valves may be required to operate continuously e.g. control
valves.
They may be operated intermittently e.g. isolation / stop
valves.
They may be installed to operate rarely e.g. safety valves.
A valve can be a very simple, low cost item or it may be a
very complicated, expensive item.
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 VALVES

Valves are selected for their:

Ability to throttle flow
Lack of turbulence or resistance to flow when fully
open
Quick opening and closing mechanism
Tight shut off
Ability to allow flow in one direction only
Opening at a preset pressure for pressure control
Ability to handle abrasive substance without rapid
wear.

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 VALVES
Classification (groups) of Valves
1. Isolation/Stop Valves

The isolation of the downstream system from the

upstream system by use of an isolation or stop valve
is a very important function.
The main requirements of this valve are:
tight shut off when closed
minimum restriction to flow when open

Valves used for this job include gate valves, globe

valves, ball valves, plug valves & diaphragm valves.

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2. Flow Regulation / Throttle Valves

Many applications require the flow of the fluid be

regulated (throttled) at some fixed level between
zero and maximum flow limits.
Valves used for this job include globe valves,
needle valves & butterfly valves.

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3. Pressure Regulation

In many applications, especially with gases, there is

a need to reduce the supply pressure to a set fixed
value.
It may also be necessary to maintain this reduced
pressure over a range of fluid flow conditions.
The pressure regulator valve (which has a globe
valve design) is used for this job.

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 VALVES

4. Non-Return or Check Valves

In some circumstances it is important to prevent
reversed fluid flow.
The type of valve used for this job is called a non-
return-valve (NRV) or check valve.
Three main valve types are used for this job:
Lift Check valve
Swing Check valve
Ball Check valve

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5. Pressure Relief Valves
Pressure Relief Valves (PRV) are used in liquid service
applications to relieve excess pressure in the system.
All closed vessels where pressure could build up are
protected by a Pressure Relief Valve.
An important part of the relief valve installation is the
routing of the relieved fluid.
Normally relieved fluid is returned to a service tank or
unpressurised part of the system.
Return lines must always be kept open.

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 VALVES

6. Pressure Safety valves

Pressure Safety Valves (PSV) are used in gas

service applications where too much pressure in
the system can cause damage or a safety risk.
Valves used for safety applications require regular
inspections to check the settings and the
operation.
The gas released from a PSV normally goes to the
flare.

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VALVES

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PLUG VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PLUG VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PLUG VALVE
Advantages:
Cheap
Offer low resistance to flow when fully open
Open and close quickly
Give a tight seal with pressures up to 200 bar
Disadvantages:
The plug valve is mainly an on/off valve and is not
particularly good for precise regulation
Despite lubrication, the plug valve has a tendency to
bind (stick)
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BALL VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BALL VALVE

OPEN CLOSED

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BALL VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BALL VALVE
Advantages:
Low pressure drop when open
Can be used for gas, liquids or slurries
Open and close quickly and easily
Require no lubrication
Are suitable for handling corrosive fluids

Disadvantages:
Standard Ball Valve not suitable for regulating flow
Not suitable for tight shut-off
Can be damaged & jammed by solids
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE

Gate valves are probably the most widely used

valve type in the petro-chemical / refining industry

There are two main types of gate valve:

1. Rising stem
2. Non-rising stem

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (RISING STEM)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (RISING STEM)

(double click
on pic to play)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (RISING STEM)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (RISING STEM)

In the rising stem gate

valve the threaded
(screwed) part of the stem
is outside of the valve.
The position of the rising
stem shows if the valve is
open or closed.

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (RISING STEM)

OPEN CLOSED
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (NON-RISING STEM)

In the non-rising stem

gate valve the
threaded (screwed)
part of the stem is
inside the valve.
It is difficult to see if
the valve is open or
closed.

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE (NON-RISING STEM)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GATE VALVE
Advantages:
Low pressure drop when fully open
Offer reasonable flow-rate regulation
Cheap to manufacture
Very robust (strong) construction
Disadvantages:
Sediment or dirt may stop the gate closing fully
The base of the gate is liable to wear by erosion if
operated partly open
The gate valve is difficult to operate when opening or
closing against fluids at a very high pressure.
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GLOBE VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GLOBE VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GLOBE VALVE

OPEN CLOSED
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
GLOBE VALVE
Advantages:
Good flow regulation
Positive shut-off
Can be used in high pressure systems where positive
shut-off is essential for safe operation
Disadvantages:
high pressure drop even when the valve is fully open
The valve seats can be damaged & jammed by solids

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
DIAPHRAGM VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
DIAPHRAGM VALVE
Advantages:
Are fairly cheap and easy to make
Provide good flow regulation
Maximum wear is located at the diaphragm which is
easy to change
Disadvantages:
Can not be used at very high pressures, due to the
weakness of the diaphragm
They produce a pressure drop when open

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
NEEDLE VALVE

Needle valves are used to

give fine, accurate control
of flow.
The 'needle' shaped
closing element is long
and comes to a point.
The seat is also very
small.
The stem threads are
close together (a fine
thread) which makes very
small adjustment of the
flow possible.

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
NEEDLE VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
NEEDLE VALVE
Advantages:
Suitable for regulating flow
Fine control in small diameter piping
Tight shut-off

Disadvantages:
Only for clean fluids
Can only be used with low flows rates
High pressure drop when open

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BUTTERFLY VALVE

WAFER TYPE
BUTTERFLY
VALVE

OPEN CLOSED
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BUTTERFLY VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BUTTERFLY VALVE

WAFER TYPE
BUTTERFLY
VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BUTTERFLY VALVE
Advantages:
The valve can be part open in any position
from fully closed to fully opened.
Fast operation - the valve moves from full
close to full open in a quarter of a turn
The handle shows if the valve is open or
closed.
They can receive flow from both sides.
Disadvantages:
Can only be used with low flows rates
Not suitable for tight shut-off
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES

NON RETURN or CHECK VALVES

Non Return Valves (NRV) and Check Valves only

allow flow in one direction.
There are several different designs.
The following slides show the three main types:
BALL CHECK VALVE
SWING CHECK VALVE
LIFT CHECK VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
BALL CHECK VALVE

OPEN CLOSED

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
SWING CHECK VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
SWING CHECK VALVE

OPEN CLOSED
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
SWING CHECK VALVE

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
LIFT CHECK VALVE

OPEN CLOSED

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (PRV)
(Review)
Pressure Relief Valves (PRV) are used in process
applications to relieve excess pressure in the system.
All closed vessels where pressure could build up are
protected by a Pressure Relief Valve.
An important part of the relief valve installation is the
routing of the relieved fluid Normally relieved fluid is
returned to a service tank or unpressurised part of the
system.
Return lines must always be kept open.
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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (PVR)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (PVR)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (PVR)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (PVR)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE SAFETY VALVE (PSV)

(Review)
Pressure Safety Valves (PSV) are used in gas
service applications where too much pressure in
the system can cause damage or a safety risk.
Valves used for safety applications require regular
inspections to check the settings and the
operation.
The gas released from a PSV normally goes to the
flare.

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE SAFETY VALVE (PSV)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE SAFETY VALVE (PSV)

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES
PRESSURE SAFETY BURSTING DISCS
Although BURSTING DISCS are not valves, they are important
pressure safety devices.

A bursting disc is a
non re-usable device
that is designed to
burst or rupture at a
set pressure, thus
protecting process
equipment from high
pressure or vacuum.

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES

PRESSURE SAFETY BURSTING DISCS

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES

PRESSURE SAFETY BURSTING DISCS

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 VALVES
TYPES OF VALVES

PRESSURE SAFETY BURSTING DISCS

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