Fluid Processing - Plug Valves

Plug valve cutaway view
Image courtesy Flowserve - Durco

Fluid process control operations commonly employ pumps, piping, tanks and valves as the means of transporting, containing and controlling the fluid movement through a system.

Valves, of which there are many types, provide control over the flow rate, direction and routing of fluids in a processing operation. Flow can be started, stopped or modulated between zero and full rate using a properly sized and configured valve. Some valves enable media flow to be diverted to a selection of outlets, in lieu of a single inlet and outlet pair. Specialized valves regulate inlet or outlet pressure, or prevent fluid flow from going in an undesirable direction. All of these capabilities are packaged into differing valve product offerings that present a very large selection array to a process designer or engineer.

Industrial flow control valve types are generally classified according to the structure or arrangement contained within the valve body that provides obstruction to fluid flow. Some of the common types are ball, butterfly, gate, globe, and plug. Surely, there are more valve types, and this article is not intended to list them all. Some of our previous blogs have discussed selection considerations for gate, ball and butterfly valves. This article will focus on one of the oldest valve types, the plug valve.

Plug valves, like ball and butterfly valves, span from fully open to fully closed positions with a shaft rotation of 90 degrees. The “plug” in a plug valve is installed in the flow path within the valve body and rotated by means of a stem or shaft extending to the exterior of the body. Plugs are often tapered toward the bottom and are fitted to a seating surface in the valve body cavity that prevents fluid from bypassing the plug. An opening through the plug, the port, can be shaped to provide particular flow characteristics. There are numerous variants of the basic plug valve which may make it suitable for particular applications. One common variant is the lined or sleeved plug valve, with an insert or interior lining of material that creates an isolating barrier between the valve body and the media. This allows use of less expensive materials for the body construction that may be otherwise subject to corrosion by exposure to aggressive media.

Plug valves can be selected for a number of attributes.

• 90 degree rotation from open to closed provides fast operation.
• With proper configuration, can be well suited for frequent operation.
• Availability of corrosion resistant liner may provide comparative cost savings because valve body can be constructed of less expensive material.
• Design is simple and employs a low parts count.
• Valve can be serviced in place.
• Generally, low resistance to flow when fully open.
• Reliable leak-tight service due to tapered plug wedging action, replaceable sleeve, and injection of lubricant in some variants.

Potential issues of concern for plug valve application include a short list of items.

• Higher friction in the plug closure mechanism may require comparatively higher operating torque than other valve types.
• Without a specially designed plug, generally not well suited for throttling applications.
• Rapid shutoff delivered by plug design may not be suitable for some applications where hammering may occur.

Share your fluid control application challenges with a valve and automation specialist. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

High Pressure Valves for Industrial Processes and Operations

Industrial operations present substantial
challenges to engineers and equipment

I am convinced that there is a valve out there for every conceivable application. Of course, that is not literally true, but there is an enormous array of manufacturers producing countless valve variants to meet specific requirements of the many industrial fluid processing applications.

A valve installed in a fluid process needs not only to perform its intended control function, but to stand up to the impact of several physical challenges.

Cutaway view of high pressure angle valve
Courtesy Flowserve - Kammer

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Corrosion

Any combination of these factors in the extreme can call for the use of a severe service valve. A good match between the valve ratings or capabilities and the demands imposed by the process conditions is essential for achieving safe operation and a reasonable useful valve lifespan.

Valves designed to handle very high pressure will exhibit specific attributes designed to accommodate the imposed physical stress. Body construction, assembly hardware, seats, and trim will all be noticeably heavier, stronger.

Rely on a valve specialist to contribute product expertise to the valve selection process. Combine your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

High Pressure Control Valves - Kammer from CTi Controltech

Valtek Mark One Valve Build - Piece by Piece

Here is a video produced by Flowserve that gives an inside look at the Valtek Mark One globe control valve. The Mark One is suitable for gaseous and liquid service, and the animation illustrates the ease with which the valve can be disassembled in place for easy maintenance.

Contact a product specialist for more information and share your fluid process control challenges with them. Combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise will yield an effective solution.

Introduction to Valve Parts or Components

Various types of industrial valves
(courtesy of Flowserve)

Industrial valves come in many shapes and sizes and they are classified according to different functions they have. Regardless of type, all valves have the following basic parts or components, the body, bonnet, trim, seat, stem, actuator, and packing.

Valve Body

The valve body is the primary boundary, housing or container. It serves as the main element of a valve assembly. It is the framework that holds all the parts together.

The body contains the fluid pressure loads from the inlet and outlet piping. The body connects to the piping via through threaded, flanged, or welded joints.