Section 7

Valves
GENERAL
In industrial piping, the control of flow is very important. Mechanical devices used for flow control
are called valves. The principal functions of valves are:
Starting and Stopping Flow
Regulating or Throttling Flow
Preventing ac! Flow
Regulating Pressure
Relieving Pressure
Steel valves are classified "y nominal pipe si#e $%PS& and "y pressure'temperature service
ratings. There are two service ratings( a Primary Rating and a )old *or!ing Pressure Rating:
The Primary Rating is a pressure rating esta"lished "y standards and accepted practice at
an elevated temperature.
The )old *or!ing Pressure Rating is the rating at am"ient temperature $minus +,F to
-,,F&. This rating is referred to as the )*P $)old *or!ing Pressure& Rating. This rating is of
most interest when determining hydrostatic testing limits.
The Primary Rating is e.pressed in terms of steam. Steam ratings are used as a "asis for
determining the suita"ility of a material for a given application. The )old *or!ing Pressure
Rating is usually designated "y the mar! */0, which stands for )old *ater, /il or 0as,
non'shoc!.
)ast and forged steel valves "ear a
mar! such as -1,, 2,,, 3,,, etc.
These figures denote the ma.imum
pressure in pounds per s4uare inch
$psi& at a certain temperature $usually
5,, F& for which an item is suited. 6
certain 3,,'pound valve may "e suited
for 3,,'pound pressure at
temperatures up to 51, F. ut if the
temperature e.ceeds that point, say up
to -,,, F, the valve is not
recommended for pressures over -7,
pounds.
6s ta"ulated in Ta"le 7'-, all ratings are the ma.imum allowa"le non'shoc! pressure $psig& at the
ta"ulated temperature $F&. The pressure'temperature ta"les should "e consulted to select the
pressure class of product re4uired to meet the conditions of the intended service.
8 -993 echtel )orp. Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'-
TABLE 7- - HYDROSTATIC TEST PRESSURES AT
100F OR LESS
Pressure
)lass
Ma.imum 6llowa"le
Pressure
-1, <+1 psi
2,, --,, psi
3,, +-71 psi
9,, 2+1, psi
-1,, 1<,, psi
+1,, )ontact =endor
Section 7 =alves
VALVE MATERIALS
Valve Bod a!d Bo!!e"
=alve "odies and "onnets are made of "rass or "ron#e mainly in the smaller si#es and for
moderate pressures and temperatures. )ast iron is used in all si#es up to wor!ing steam
pressures of +1, pounds, temperatures of <1, F, and hydraulic pressures of 5,, pounds. )ast
steels are used for more severe service. For high temperature service, valve "odies of the
chromium'moly"denum alloy steels are availa"le. Forged steel is used in small valve "odies
which are machined and drilled out. This is not a practical method in larger si#es, although valves
up to 5 inches have "een made from solid stoc!. For the more corrosive services, valves made of
6ISI Type 2,< and Type 2-3 stainless steels are availa"le as standard si#es.
)asta"le materials used for valve "odies and "onnets include:
)ast )ar"on Steel $6STM 6+-3, 0rade *)&
)ast )hrome'Moly Steel $6STM 6+-7, 0rade )1 and 0rade *)9&
)ast Type 2,< Stainless Steel $6STM 621-, 0rade )F5&
)ast Type 2-3 Stainless Steel $6STM 621-, 0rade )F5M&
)ast Iron $6STM 6-+3& and )ast ron#e $6STM 3- and 3+&
Forged materials include:
)ar"on Steel $6STM 6-,1 an 6-5-&
)hrome'Moly Steels $6STM 6-5+, 0rades F1, F-- and F++&
Stainless Steels $6STM 6-5+, 0rades F'2,<, F'2-3 and F'2<7&
In some cases, valve "odies may "e the same material as the pipe.
VALVE CONSTRUCTION
=alves are manufactured in standard si#es ranging from -:+ inch through 23 inch nominal pipe
si#e. =alves may "e as simple as a small plug valve $coc!& having only four parts, or as comple.
as a motor'operated control valve having hundreds of parts. The valves most fre4uently
encountered will have several parts that are functionally compara"le and "ear the same or similar
names.
Bod
The valve "ody connects to the system piping, houses the internal valve parts, and provides a
pressure "oundary as well as the passage for fluid flow. odies are made from a great variety of
metals and alloys. Thus, a "ody material can "e selected on the "asis of compati"ility with
system piping and suita"ility for service conditions.
Most valves for ordinary uses have "odies made from appropriate grades of iron, steel or "ron#e
castings. )ast "odies are prone to have material flaws that may elude detection "y all surface
type nondestructive e.aminations and their detection is only possi"le through use of volumetric
methods such as ultrasonic or radiographic e.amination. Forgings contain fewer defects and are
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'+
=alves Section 7
therefore generally used for the "odies of valves in critical service piping. Some very large valve
"odies are made from two or more forgings that are machined and welded together, then run
through a final machining process to true up interfacing surfaces. For critical services, a
radiographic e.amination is then performed.
T#$% Ma"e#$al&
The remova"le internal metal parts that contact the line fluid are collectively !nown as the valve
trim. This includes parts such as the seat ring, disc or plug, glands, spacers, guides, "ushings,
and internal springs. Parts not considered trim include the "ody, "onnet, pac!ing, yo!e, and
similar items. =alve trim parts are fre4uently made of materials that are compati"le with "ut not
the same as the "ody material. >i!ewise, trim parts of different materials are often used within
the same valve assem"ly. ?iscs or plugs, and seat rings are pressure'retaining parts and need to
conform to specification re4uirements.
D$&'
Most valves have a disc or plug that stops flow through the valve when pressed against a
stationary seat, or seats, in the "ody $closed& position. In the open position, the disc is moved
away from the seat to allow fluid flow. The plug or "all performs the same functions in plug valves
and "all valves. Many different styles of discs are used. Some "ear little resem"lance to the flat,
circular shape for which they were originally named, "ut the name is almost universally
recogni#ed for this valve part.
Sea"
=alves may "e provided with integral seats or replacea"le seat rings, depending on the valve
si#e. Small valves generally have screwed'in or welded'in seat rings, while larger valves have
seating surfaces made up of a hardened treatment of the "ase "ody metal. Fluid flow through the
valve is shut off "y the seal formed "etween the disc and the seat.
The valve lea!age rate is a function of the effectiveness of this seal.
I!d(&"# S"a!da#d&
=alve "ody thic!ness and other design data are given in applica"le valve standards. Standards
for metallic valves and their components have "een esta"lished "y 6STM and are mostly
incorporated in 6%SI, while the 6merican Petroleum Institute $6PI& has developed various valve
specifications for its industry. In addition, other standards of "eneficial interest to the valve user
are availa"le, particularly those pu"lished "y the Manufacturers@ Standardi#ation Society of the
=alve and Fittings Industry $MSS&.
Some of the commonly used standards follow:
ANSI B)*0 ' Pipe threads
ANSI B1+*1 ' )ast iron pipe flanges and flanged fittings
ANSI B1+*, ' Steel pipe flanges, flanged valves and fittings
ANSI B1+*10 ' Face'to'face and end'to'end dimensions of ferrous valves
ANSI B1+*)0 ' Ring'Aoint gas!ets and grooves for steel pipe flanges
ANSI B1+*)1 ' %onmetallic gas!ets for pipe flanges
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'2
Section 7 =alves
ANSI B1+*-. ' Steel valves, flanged, and "utt welding ends
ANSI/ASTM A101 ' Forged or rolled'steel pipe flanges, forged fittings, and valves and parts for
general service
ANSI/ASTM A10) ' Forged or rolled alloy steel pipe flanges, forged fittings, and valves and parts
for high temperature service
MSS SP-), ' Standard mar!ing system for valves, fitting, and flanges
NISS SP-., ' ypass and drain connection standard
API ,1- ' ?uctile iron plug valves
API ,1. ' *afer'type chec! valves
API ,1, ' )ast'iron gate valves
API ,17 ' Steel venturi gate valves
API ,11 ' Steel plug valves
API +00 ' Steel gate valves
API +0) ' )ompact cast steel gate valves
API +0- ' )lass -1, corrosion resistant gate valves
API +0. ' ?uctile iron gate valves
API +0+ ' )ompact car"on steel gate valves $e.tended "odies&
API +01 ' utterfly valves to -1, psig and -1, F.
API +D ' Pipeline valves
VALVE CATEGORIES
The main valve categories, "ased on the different "ody styles include:
0ate =alves
0lo"e =alves
)hec! =alves
Plug =alves
all =alves
utterfly =alves
Safety Relief =alves
esides these main categories, various other types of valves such as 2'*ay, Swing, Stop )hec!,
?iaphragm, and Pinch valves are availa"le for special purposes. )ontrol =alves, which may use
"asic design features of any of these main valve categories "ut which serve special operating
functions, are descri"ed in later in this manual. =alves can "e o"tained with ends flanged,
threaded for screwed connections, recessed for soc!et welding, or "eveled for "utt welding.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'<
=alves Section 7
Ga"e Valve&
0ate =alves have a significant feature of having less flow o"struction and lower tur"ulence within
the valve creating only a small pressure drop across the valve. 6 typical cross section view of a
gate valve is shown in Figure 7'-.
The main variations of gate valve
designs are "y the type of disc or
wedge. These include the solid
wedge disc, dou"le disc, fle.i"le
wedge disc and split wedge disc
and vented disc. Three types of
discs are shown in Figure 7'+. Solid
wedges are of one piece
construction, solid we" type. The
seating surfaces are precision
machined to a mirror finish to
provide full seating contact "etween
the wedge and seats.
The dou"le disc ma!es closure "y descending "etween two parallel or tapered seats in the valve
"ody. ?ou"le disc with parallel faces are seated "y "eing spread against the "ody seats. 6 disc
spreader ma!es contact with a stop in the "ottom of the valve and forces the disc apart.
Fle.i"le wedge discs are of one piece construction "ut are cut out "etween the two seats in such
a way as to provide a small degree of fle.i"ility. It is this Bfle.i"ilityB that ma!es the disc tight on
"oth faces over a wide range of pressures.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'1
FIGURE 7- - GATE VALVE CROSS-SECTION VIE2
FIGURE 7- - GATE VALVE DIS3 TYPES
Section 7 =alves
The split wedge disc is a two piece, wedge disc that seats "etween matching tapered seats in the
"ody. The spreader device is simple, and integral with the disc halves.
=ented discs generally used in cryogenic services are a fle.i"le wedge with a hole drilled in one
side to allow even seating pressure on a downstream wedge for positive shutoff.
Glo4e Valve&
6s shown in Figure 7'2, 0lo"e =alves are commonly constructed with its inlet and outlet in line
and with its port opening at right angles to the inlet and outlet. This seating construction
increases resistance to the flow and permits close regulation of fluid flow. The glo"e valve is used
principally in throttling service to control the flow to any desired degree. Flow is in the "ottom
$under the seat& and out the top.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'3
=alves Section 7
The main variations of
glo"e valve design are "y
the type of disc. Typical
disc types are shown in
Figure 7'<. These include
plug type, composition and
conventional discs.
The plug disc is cone shaped with the seat ring having a matching cone shaped center. The wide
"earing surfaces of the long, tapered plug type disc and matching seating offers high resistance
to the cutting effects of dirt, scale, and other foreign matter.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'7
FIGURE 7- - GLOBE VALVE CROSS SECTION VIE2
Section 7 =alves
The composition disc unit consists of a metal disc holder, composition disc and retaining nut. The
flat face of the composition disc seats li!e a cap against the seat opening. The disc is normally
circular shaped, appro.imately a 2:-3 inch thic! flat piece of material $compressed fi"er or
plastic&. )losure is effected against a thin lip protruding from and actually constituting the valve
seat.
The conventional disc is the oldest !ind of glo"e valve. The "asic design feature is a flat surfaced
though slightly tapered valve seat that is fitted with a disc of conve. configuration that used the
taper in the seat for closing. This type of seating has only a narrow line of contact that normally
assists an easy pressure tight closure.
C5e'6 Valve&
)hec! =alves are entirely automatic in their operation and are activated internally "y the flow of
fluid or gases which they regulate. 6s shown in Figure 7'1, chec! valves permit the flow in only
one direction and if the flow stops or tries to reverse its direction, the chec! valve closes
immediately and prevents "ac!flow. 6s soon as the pressure in the line is re'esta"lished, the
chec! valve opens and the flow is resumed in the same direction as "efore.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'5
FIGURE 7- - GLOBE VALVE DISC TYPES
FIGURE 7- - CHEC3 VALVE DETAIL
=alves Section 7
There are three "asic designs of chec! valves:
Swing chec!
>ift chec!
*afer $+ swinging flappers closed "y a spring&
S7$!8 C5e'6 Valve&
In the swing chec!, the disc is hinged at the top and seats against a machined seat in the tilted
"ridge wall opening. 6s shown in Figure 7'3, the disc swings freely in an arc from the fully closed
position to one providing uno"structed flow. The valve is !ept open "y flow, with the si#e of the
opening varying with the volume of the flow.
L$9" C5e'6 Valve&
For lift chec! valves, the flow is the same as through the glo"e valve. )onse4uently, there is
tur"ulence within the valve and some pressure drop occurs.
6 general detail for a >ift )hec! =alve is shown in Figure 7'3. >ift chec! valves can "e divided
into three different types.
Horizontal-Lift Check Valve
The hori#ontal'lift chec! valve has an internal construction similar to the glo"e valve. The disc,
which is seated on a hori#ontal seat, is e4uipped with guides a"ove and:or "elow the seat and is
guided in its vertical movement "y integral guides in the seat "ridge or valve "onnet. The disc is
seated "y "ac!flow, or "y gravity when there is no flow, and is free to rise and fall depending on
the pressure under it. These valves are normally only installed in the hori#ontal position, however,
can "e installed in a vertical position with upward directed flow.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'9
Section 7 =alves
Vertical-Lift Check Valve
The vertical'lift chec! valve has the same guiding principle as the hori#ontal lift chec!. It is
e4uipped with a free'floating guided disc that rests when inoperative on the seat. These valves
are of practical use only when installed in a vertical piping system with an upward directed flow.
Ball Check Valve
The "all chec! valve is similar to the hori#ontal or vertical lift chec! valve. Instead of a guide disc,
a "all serves as the flow control medium. *hen operating, the "all is constantly in motion,
reducing the effect of wear on any particular area of its sphere.
/n some vertical'lift chec! valve designs, the disc or "all is spring loaded for improved
performance in vertical applications.
Pl(8 Valve&
6s shown in Figure 7'7, Plug =alves are composed of a tapered or cylindrical plug fitted snugly
into a correspondingly shaped seat in the valve "ody. The plug is provided with an opening in line
with the flow opening in the valve "ody. The porthole or flow opening in the plug may "e round,
o"long or diamond shaped. The valve is opened "y turning the plug so that the opening in the
valve "ody and plug are in line and is closed "y turning the plug so that the plug opening is at
right angles to the valve "ody opening. Small plug valves are usually referred to as plug coc!s.
Plug valves are either lu"ricated or non'lu"ricated. For non'lu"ricated valves, the plug may "e
inserted from the top or "ottom of the valve "ody. The use of cylindrical plugs is often preferred
since they are less li!ely to e.perience galling or free#ing than conical plugs. In some designs,
plastic seats are often molded into grooves of the plug to provide "etter seals, and "ottom springs
assist in operation.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'-,
FIGURE 7- - CHEC3 VALVE DESIGNS
=alves Section 7
The lu"ricated plug valve is designed with grooves in the plug which permits the lu"ricant to seal
and lu"ricate the valve as well as to function as a hydraulic Aac!ing force to lift the plug within the
"ody, thus permitting easy operation. The lu"ricant is forced into its various distri"ution channels
"y a special lu"ricant gun that fits a "utton head fitting on top of the plug. The straightway
passage through the port offers no opportunity for sediment or scale to collect. The valve plug,
when rotated, wipes foreign matter from the plug.
-993:Rev.+ Piping:Mechanical ;and"oo! 7'--