Valves Pipelines Gate Globe Needle Angle Plug Ball Butterfly Check

Valves used in Pipelines
Written by Norrie
Sunday, 02 May 2010 18:18 -
INTRODUCTION
In process operations, fluids and their movement and transfer from place to place, plays a large
part in the process. Fluids are contained in various types of vessels and are transported in
pipelines. In order to Start or Stop fluid flow, to Control flow and to Prevent Back-flow, various
types of valves are installed in the piping. To prevent over-pressure in piping and vessels, we
use Safety Relief valves and, to isolate equipment for maintenance etc, Block valves are
installed.
Where fluids contain suspended solids - scale, dirt etc…, which must be removed, Filters and
Strainers of various types are installed.
In steam systems, steam condensate (water), is a particular problem which can cause
'Water-Hammer' in piping and equipment. (This will be explained later).
To minimize this problem, the water must be drained from the steam lines. This is sometimes
accomplished by regularly 'Blowing Down' - (draining the water manually), - from the system.
Generally, steam systems are fitted with automatic drainage mechanisms called 'Steam-Traps'.
As previously stated, valves are used for the following purposes :
1. To start and stop flow of fluids

2. To regulate, throttle and control fluid flow or pressure
3. To prevent back-flow
4. To relieve excess pressure / vacuum
TYPES OF VALVES
1. THE GATE VALVE (See Figure : 13)
This is the most common type of valve in use in industry and is used to start or stop the flow of
fluids. It gives a positive shut-off when closed and is often used as a 'Block Valve' for isolating
systems.
The gate valve MUST be either FULLY CLOSED or FULLY OPEN and NEVER USED TO
CONTROL FLOW, as the fluid velocity will erode the valve internals - gate and body seats .. etc.
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Written by Norrie
Sunday, 02 May 2010 18:18 -
A gate valve may be of the 'RISING STEM' type as in Figure: 13 or a 'NON-RISING STEM', in
which the stem threads are 'Left-hand' threads set into the gate itself as in Figure: 14.
The valve consists of a body which houses the valve mechanism - the stem (or spindle), the
disc(s) (or gate), and the disc and body seats. Gate valves can be operated by a hand-wheel,
an electric motor (MOV), or by an air powered diaphragm, or motor, or a piston actuator.
THE RISING STEM GATE VALVE

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Figure : 13
NON-RISING STEM
Figure : 14
2. THE GLOBE VALVE (See Figure : 15)
The Globe valve is used where control of fluid flow or pressure is required and it can be
operated in any position between open and closed.
A Globe valve may be constructed with a single or double port and plug arrangement. The
double port type is generally used in a CONTROL VALVE where accurate control of fluid is
required. Due to the double valve plug arrangement, the internal pressure acts on each plug in
opposition to each other, giving an internal pressure balance across the plugs. (See Fig: 20 on
page 42 – Control Valve)
This gives a much smoother operation of the valve and better control of the process. Some
control valves are 'Reverse Acting'. Where a valve normally opens when the plug rises, in the
reverse acting valve, the valve closes on rising. The operation of the valve depends on
process requirements. Also depending on requirements, a control valve may be set to open or
close, on air failure to the diaphragm.

Figure : 15
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Sunday, 02 May 2010 18:18 -
3. THE NEEDLE VALVE (See Figure : 16)
This is simply a variation of the Globe valve and, as its name implies consists of a narrow,
tapered plug and port arrangement. The needle valve is, in itself, small in size and is used for
very fine and normally manual, control of fluid flow.
4. THE ANGLE VALVE (See Figure : 17)
Another variation of the Globe valve which is often used for compressor recycle systems. It is
also often used for dirty fluids. In this valve, the fluid flow enters from below the plug and
passes through an angle of 90° to the outlet. An angle valve may be manually or automatically
controlled.
5. THE PLUG or BALL VALVE (See Figure : 18)
These valves give a more streamline flow in their operation. The valve port is about the same
size as the internal pipe diameter. They are operated simply by turning a handle through 90°.
They can give a fairly tight shut-off and some degree of control.
6. THE BUTTERFLY VALVE (See Figure : 19)
The Butterfly valve is designed to give full flow with some control capability. Normally, this type
of valve does not give positive shut-off but, present-day technology, using new Polymers and
higher temperature ratings, has enabled the construction of butterfly valves having a
'Bubble-tight' shut-off.
7. CHECK or NON-RETURN VALVES (NRV's) (See Figure : 20)
These valves will allow fluid flow in ONE DIRECTION ONLY. Their purpose is to prevent
backflow - for example -in pump discharge lines and where back-flow is undesirable. When
flow stops, the weight of the piston, ball or flapper closes the valve. If the pressure downstream
of the valve, is higher than the upstream side, the valve will close more firmly and back-flow
cannot occur.
There are two main types of check valve :
1. The 'LIFT' type. (Spring loaded 'BALL' & 'PISTON' Types).

2. The 'SWING' (or Flapper Type).
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Written by Norrie
Sunday, 02 May 2010 18:18 -
THE NEEDLE VALVE

Figure : 16
THE ANGLE VALVE

Figure : 17
THE PLUG VALVE & BALL VALVE

Figure : 18
THE BUTTERFLY VALVE (SIMPLIFIED)

Figure : 19
CHECK or NON-RETURN VALVES (NRV's)

Figure : 20
8. SAFETY RELIEF VALVES (See Figure : 21)
Safety valves are installed on equipment to prevent over-pressure (or excess vacuum), which
could cause damage, rupture or collapse of the equipment.
Where the type installed is to prevent excess vacuum, they are normally referred to as 'Vacuum
Breakers'.
A safety valve will have a lifting set pressure higher (about 1.5 times) than the operating
pressure of the system but well below the design maximum pressure allowed.
In the conventional type, the pressure of the valve discharge line will affect the set pressure of
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the valve by giving a back-pressure on the valve plug.
In the bellows type, the bellows isolates the plug from the back-pressure and therefore there is
no effect on the valve setting.
The following diagram is of a conventional safety relief valve. All safety valves have the same
purpose of protecting equipment from over-pressure. Different makers have their own designs.
SAFETY RELIEF VALVE

Figure : 21
VALVE ACCESSORIES
1. STUFFING BOX and PACKING (See Figure : 22)
Packing is a means of preventing leakage around the valve stem to atmosphere. The packing is
placed in the 'Stuffing Box' around the stem. It is then held in place and compressed by the
'Gland' and 'Gland Follower' to give a leak-tight seal.
However, having the packing too tight can cause the operation of the valve to be stiff. When
tightening down on the packing does not stop leakage or causes valve operation to be stiff, the
packing should be replaced.
In some larger valves, a 'Lantern Ring' is inserted between the turns of packing and is placed
opposite to a lubrication point where grease can be injected in order to ease the valve
operation.
Figure : 22
2. VALVE OPERATORS (See Figure: 23)
The most common valve operator is the 'Hand-wheel'. Other methods of valve operation can be
as follows :
A. A Diaphragm
Here, the valve is operated by an air powered diaphragm. These are called 'Pneumatic
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Control Valves'. The air powered actuator can also take the form of a 'Piston' rather than a
diaphragm. The operation of the valve, depending on requirements, may be 'Air to Open' (AO)
or 'Air to Close' (AC).
B. An Electric Motor
This is called a 'Motor Operated Valve' (MOV) and may be installed to allow valve operation
from a remote location and may then be referred to as a 'Remote Operated Valve' (ROV).
C. A Solenoid
This method of valve operation is used for a small valve placed in an air supply line to a
shut-down device. The solenoid will be activated on an electrical signal from an automatic trip
system and will open or close depending upon its function.

Figure: 23 -Diaphragm Operated Valve
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Valves Pipelines Gate Globe Needle Angle Plug Ball Butterfly Check

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Valves used in Pipelines

As previously stated, valves are used for the following purposes :

1. To start and stop flow of fluids

THE RISING STEM GATE VALVE

2. THE GLOBE VALVE (See Figure : 15)

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3. THE NEEDLE VALVE (See Figure : 16)

4. THE ANGLE VALVE (See Figure : 17)

5. THE PLUG or BALL VALVE (See Figure : 18)

6. THE BUTTERFLY VALVE (See Figure : 19)

7. CHECK or NON-RETURN VALVES (NRV's) (See Figure : 20)

There are two main types of check valve :

1. The 'LIFT' type. (Spring loaded 'BALL' & 'PISTON' Types).

THE NEEDLE VALVE

THE ANGLE VALVE

THE PLUG VALVE & BALL VALVE

THE BUTTERFLY VALVE (SIMPLIFIED)

CHECK or NON-RETURN VALVES (NRV's)

8. SAFETY RELIEF VALVES (See Figure : 21)

the valve by giving a back-pressure on the valve plug.

SAFETY RELIEF VALVE

2. VALVE OPERATORS (See Figure: 23)

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