VARIOUS

1.0 Introduction :

TYPES

OF

VALVES

Valves are used for different purposes. Mainly as follows: i) ii) To stop or allow the flow of fluid in a pipe line To act as a safety device. a) b) iii) iv) To prevent excess pressure generation in a pipeline or vessel (safety valve, To prevent back flow of fluid into up stream side of equipment which might get Pressure Relief valve) damaged due to the back flow (non-return valve, flap valve) To regulate the quantity or pressure of the flowing fluid. Special valves for specific service conditions like Christmas tree valve for oil well, quick operating blow down valves for boiler blow down lines.

2.0

Classification of Valves : Valves can be broadly classified into following two types based on the relative motion of the closing element with the direction of fluid flow or pressure. i) ii) The closing element moves in the same axis in which the fluid flows. (eg. Globe valve, Safety valve non return valve etc.) The closing element moves in the perpendicular direction in which the fluid flows. In other words the closing element cut across the flow of the fluid. (eg. Gate valves, cocks, ball valves etc.)

3.0

Construction of the valves : The valves are fabricated from different materials such as cast iron, steel, gun metal, stainless steel etc. in order to suit the fluid they carry. The valves are classified according to pressure class as per the relevant BSS, ASA, DIN or ISI specification. Similar type of valves have different types of ends connection i.e. flanged, welded, socket, screwed etc for connecting them with the pipe lines. Valves components can be grouped mainly as. i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) i) Body Yoke, bonnet and cover. Disk, wedge Stem Gland Other parts. Body : The body of the valve serves the following functions. a) b) c) d) The inlet and outlet connections are accommodated. Fluid flow passage is provided in the body. One part of the sealing seat is accommodated. Connection to other valve parts and gasket are provided in the third flange.

273

e) ii) a) b) c) d) iii)

Wherever necessary bypass arrangement is provided on the body. Yoke Bonnet and Cover : The function is to connect with the body of the third flange. Houses gland and stem nut. Vent plug for deaeration is located in the yoke. In case of motor operated valves the motors are mounted on the yoke. Disk Wedge :

This is a moving part inside the body operated by the stem and this is the control element to stop or regulate the flow of the medium. This contains i) ii) iii) iv) high stresses and different conditions of temperature, contact media etc. the following functions are performed by the stem. i) ii) iii) It connects with the disk or wedge. It slides against the gland packing. It has operating screw threads, which converts the torque applied at the hand wheel to vertical thrust with the stem nut. v) Glands: The glands consist of the gland packings one piece or two pieces, gland cover, gland tightening bolts and nuts. The gland tightening bolts are supported on the yoke or bonnet. The main function of this gland is to provide sealing around the stem and smooth sliding operation to the stem. The gland packings are generally of knitted asbestos yarn with some solid lubricants like graphite or mica flakes. When sufficient pressure on the stem to prevent leakage. vi) wheel, gasket etc. fasteners are made from high carbon steel and hand wheels are made i) 4.0 from Cast steel. In a globe valve full flow area around the periphery is obtained by a lift of d/4 where 'd' is the nominal bore of the valve. Where as in gate valve the gate Comparison between Globe and Gate valves: to completely travel across the bore of the valve and hence the valve must have a lift of slightly more than 'd' which is about 4-times that of a globe valve. Hence the
274

The control element seat which mates with the body seat. The body which can isolate the fluid from upstream to downstream side. Connection to the stem.

Stem : This is also a moving part and most important part as it is subjected to

the

gland

covers

are

tightened

they

should

be

able

to

create

Other parts: Other parts are the fasteners, used for body bonnet connection, hand

has

total height headroom required, time required to complete opening and weight of a gate valve are comparatively more than a globe valve. ii) The manufacture and maintenance of a gate valve is more difficult compared to globe valve as the two tapered seats in the wedge have to perfectly match with that of the seats in the body. iii) iv) In the globe valve the disc has to function against the full medium pressure and hence the stem load is quite high compared to a gate valve. Due to the flow directional changes and possible turbulence in a globe valve the flow loss is more than a gate valve in which flow is straight and with least turbulence.

5.0

Operation of Valve : Valves can be chosen with manual hand wheel operation. In case the valves are located away from the floor level, apart from the manual operation pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motor operation can also be chosen.

6.0

Valve Actuators (Electrical) : Valve actuators are of two types: a) Rotary actuator b) Linear actuator

Rotary actuators are available in different torque capacities and different output speed. These actuators can be fitted on gate and globe valve. Linear actuators have a reciprocating movement and therefore have a restriction in the operating stroke or lift of the valve. These are used in gate valve & globe valve of smaller size. The hand wheel is normally used for opening & closing of valve. The size of the hand wheel is such a way selected that the torque required is sufficient to open or close the valve. Valves which require greater force for opening and closing and can not be provided with larger size hand wheel, due to space limitations, are provided with actuator with a worm drive, with chain pulley block type. In some cases electrically motor operated gear train is mounted on the valve with reversible motor for opening and closing of valve Enclosed figures show the various types of valves used in power station.

275