10 Things to Know About Operating Valves in Industrial ...
10 Things to Know About Operating Valves in Industrial ...
Industrial valves are indispensable flow control devices that regulate, isolate, initiate, stop, and alter the direction of fluids. These devices can also relieve excess pressure from a piping system or from pressurized vessels. There are multiple valve designs and sizes to suit different industrial applications. Choosing or utilizing the wrong valve can affect the quality and consistency of industrial processes negatively. Engineers consider several process variables, fluid properties and environmental conditions when sizing and selecting valves.
Effective industrial valves should provide a reliable and durable fluid service — dispensing fluids at the required flow rates, sealing against leakages, backflows and emissions, and maintaining optimal sensitivity to pressure and temperature changes in the pipeline. Valve components should provide adequate physical and chemical resistance to corrosion by service fluids and immediate environments.
Understanding the operation of different categories of valves is beneficial for choosing and customizing flow control solutions for several industrial applications. How complex is the valve selection process, and what factors should engineers consider when selecting industrial valves to minimize their total cost of ownership?
1.
Compatibility of Valve Materials with the Service Media
Industrial pipelines handle fluids with different physical characteristics — they can be liquid, gaseous or semi-solid (slurries), with varying chemical compositions. One should explicitly understand the qualities of the service fluid before choosing a valve. Materials used to manufacture valves should provide adequate resistance to the erosive actions of service fluids. Abrasive fluids cause premature failure of internal components like seals and closing mechanisms.
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Ensure that valve materials are compatible with the service media. Extreme fluid service pipelines — like industrial chemical pipelines, viscous fluid service and cryogenic applications — require valves made from stainless steel, molybdenum and/or even chromium alloys. The valves can utilize metallic or chemically resistant seals. These materials provide excellent corrosion resistance and can accommodate extreme temperature and pressure changes. If unsure of compatibility, always talk with a valve engineering expert to confirm proper configuration for your service.
2.
Temperature and Pressure Classifications
Every pipeline has a specific temperature and pressure class, defining the allowable operating range. The performance of an industrial valve should remain consistent as the pressure and temperature of the service fluid change. High process temperature and pressure can lower the strength of valve materials, increasing the risk of valve shell rupture.
When selecting industrial valves, one should confirm if the temperature and pressure range is within the desired pipeline ratings. Valve materials and wall thicknesses should accommodate the maximum pressure and temperature of the pipeline without failing over multiple cycles. The valve should provide a reliable safety margin, in case an emergency causes fluid conditions to exceed the designed limits. Manufacturers rely on standards like ASME B16.34, which defines the allowable pressure and temperature ratings for different body materials.
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