Automatic control valves, much like everything else we purchase these days, are not all created equal. Some fall into the high quality bracket with pricing to match, while others hover closer to the lower quality and price sensitive end of the scale. Unfortunately, when evaluating control valve prices, it is not always clear what you are being offered and what standards the valve actually meets. Here are a few questions to consider and ask the supplier to ensure you get years of trouble free operation that lasts longer than it takes the sales person to drive out of your parking lot!
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Q 1 What materials are being used?
Make sure you know what the different components of the valve are made of, as this will certainly affect the life of your valve, specifically:
Body Material &#; is the valve body cast iron or ductile iron? Traditionally valves were cast iron but ductile iron has become the new standard due to its superior physical properties that are much better at weathering the elements.
Body Coating &#; Most of the world insists on fusion bonded coating of a valve, inside and out. Unfortunately here in North America, that is not always requested. This just makes common sense for valves that are constantly wet and sit in locations that are not always dry and pristine. A valve should last for many years, so insisting on a coated valve is a wise choice.
Seat Material &#; bronze is typically the common material for seats but over time, depending on water quality and velocities, bronze wears resulting in the need for replacement. This is time consuming and expensive as seat replacement requires a complete disassembly of the entire valve. Ideally go for stainless steel.
Valve Internals &#; Most valve manufacturers utilize stainless steel for their valve stems. Make sure that you ask what grade of stainless you are getting as not all stainless steel is created equal. 316 SS is always the best choice because it is harder and least likely to corrode.
External Fasteners &#; Over time valves experience condensation or flooding and this can play havoc with coated studs or bolts. There is nothing worse than trying to remove heavily rusted studs out of an old valve to perform maintenance. Request stainless steel fasteners as this will ensure that bolts will be removable at any age.
Q 2 Does the valve supplier fully understand your application?
Too frequently a specification will be requested and a valve is supplied that is simply the wrong valve for the job. It may also be the case that there is just a better solution. Ensure you give your valve supplier all the necessary pressure and flow details including details of the actual application and what you want this valve to do. Having the wrong valve for the wrong application, at best case will result in a significantly shorter life and worst case, a malfunction that can result in destruction of the valve and other parts of your water distribution system.
Q 3 Will this new valve fit into my existing piping layout?
Don&#;t be tempted to just stay with brand X because that is the valve you may be replacing and has the same lay lengths. Most manufactures can be quite innovative on providing solutions to combat varying lay lengths so explore all of you options rather than just settling because you think it may be easier.
Q 4 Do you need specialty tools for maintenance?
Nobody wants to have to carry around a specific tool that only performs one task. Ensure that your valve can be maintained with everything you would carry in regular tool kit. Some valve manufacturers require specialized seat removal tools, or vice jaws installed with copper jaws to protect valve stems. While these are great ideas, they are certainly not things that the average operator has in his toolkit.
Q 5 Will your personnel receive complimentary factory qualified training?
Control valves are not so difficult to understand and once taught, most operations personnel can easily perform maintenance. Ensure that you will not be reliant on the additional cost of having to bring out a factory person every time your valve requires maintenance. Request that a factory-trained representative is on site when the valve is commissioned. This will allow your operators to be schooled in the regular maintenance needs, know what to look for if things go awry and how to start up a valve in a new system or after service. Simple tricks like removing air out of the pilot system are valuable lessons to see in practice.
Q 6 Does your valve have a solid warranty?
These days having a product with the long term back up of the factory is important. Three years should be the standard to ensure there are no manufacturing faults.
Q 7 Can I make changes to the valve if required
Having a valve &#;expansion ready&#; for the future can save you money and make your decisions a whole lot easier. For example, can you add a limit switch or a position indicator easily? Or, if you need to move the pilot system to the other side of the valve, can you do it, or is it not possible because the valve body does not have the required connections? Things always change and a flexible valve gives you more options to keep your now perfect valve, perfect down the road.
Q 8 Does your valve meet industry standards?
There are third party accreditations that ensure your valve was built to the correct specifications. For example; NSF 61, WRAS, UL/FM, AWWA, ISO et.al. They are important because they ensure that the valve has been built to a given standard so the user can be assured they meet approval for such things as low lead content, bacterial growth tests, functional tests etc.
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How to Choose the Perfect Gate Valve for Oil and Gas Applications?Make sure there is someone in the area that is factory trained and available to come out and assist when you have questions or problems. This sounds like a given but it&#;s best to ensure the local agent will in fact be there for you when you need him. When a valve fails, timing is usually of the essence so you should know whom to call prior to such an event.
Q 10 Is the valve solution offered able to handle future needs?
In the world of &#;low bid wins&#;, a supplier may be tempted to squeeze as small a valve as possible into the application in order to reduce price. Make sure that the offered solution will supply your needs for the foreseeable future without the burden and additional cost of having to change a valve in a couple of years.
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.
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.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Ductile Iron Ball Check Valve. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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