Product Focus

Four Way Switch Valve

Reliable Process Performance

Decrease unscheduled downtime and production losses with ValvTechnologies’ switching valves.

The ValvTechnologies’ four-way switch valve is designed for use in the delayed coker found in many
ValvTechnologies integrated oil refineries. There are two drums in a delayed coker unit that work consecutively while
in operation. When one drum is functioning, the other drum is being de-coked. The switching valve
provides field-proven
is required to direct hot feed to either drum A or drum B. The valve also has the bypass position
solutions for severe
to divert flow back to the fractionator for or during emergencies. The bypass has the same port
service applications. dimension as the main drum feed lines. The control package also has the capabilities of providing
multiple intermediate positions to provide the capability to warm the new drum while slowly reduc-
ing feed to the live drum. The switch valve is the most critical valve in the unit.

Where is this valve usually found?

This valve is found in delayed coker units where multi-port valves are required in high-temperature
coking applications. These systems contain sticky residue, solids and other system contaminants.
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Common switch valve failures:

The two most common failure modes for switch valves are locking up/coking up and leak by.
ValvTechnologies’ solves this customer challenge with valve purging.

Purging is critical for the valve to deliver operational Reliability over expected mission time or
scheduled production run between major turnarounds. ValvTechnologies’ purge design is a contin-
uous sweeping steam method: we introduce steam in the upper and lower valve cavity at a higher
pressure than the transfer line process. This assures hot resid is effectively removed from valve
cavities, thus coke buildup is prevented. This allows the valve to cycle over long productions runs
for drum filling operations without “torqueing out”.

Steam
purge
Upper body
steam purge

Graphite
seals
Lower body
steam purge

ValvTechnologies also purge the spring seat pocket. This prevent coke buildup in spring area and
affecting seat to ball sealing. In the event of loss of steam we have sealed the pocket area with a
series of graphite seals to isolate the pocket for hot resid entry. This allows the spring to function
properly for Isolation purposes.

Belleville spring design:

ValvTechnologies’ switch valve utilizes the same spring design as our isolation valves: we use a Bel-
leville spring for consistant compression of the ball to the seat. According to the Spring Manufacturers
Institute, the Bellville type spring is best to maintain linear rates in high thermal conditions. Also, the
Bellville has a tin profile with no areas for resid to collect and harden unlike other spring designs so
the purge and spring design concept in our valve provides reliability in isolation and operation.

Ball/seat hard coatings:

ValvTechnologies coats ball and seat contact surfaces with HVOF RiTech® 31. This coating has
been chosen for excellent thermal, cycling and wear resistance inherit in coke service. RiTech® 31
maintains excellent hardness in high temperature applications and doesn’t crack or lose hardness
capabilities in elevated temperatures unlike stellite or platings. This propriatary HVOF process is
completed 100% in house at ValvTechnologies.
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What features make this product superior?

• Extended service life due to inconel Belleville spring seat loading vs. Bellows-seals in
competitive valves
• ASME / ANSI Class 300-900 class by design to meet modern pressure and temperature
requirements
• Enhanced safety due to live-loaded gland

What makes this valve unique?

• Additional purges in the spring pocket and body
• Opened mounting bracket for easy access to the packing gland
For more information, • HVOF RiTech® coatings for higher temperature and longer life
contact Mike Murphy at • Continuous sweeping purge steam to effectively remove hot resid from valve cavities, prevent-
mmurphy@valv.com ing coke buildup
• Belleville spring prevents pendulum motion which prevents packing leaks in the event of
steam loss

Product benefits:
• Improved up-time: Decrease unscheduled downtime and production losses
• Less downtime for repair
• Increased reliability: Tight shut-off with preventative maintenance continuous purge systems.
Proven reliable design.
• Simple design: Positive isolation without build-up
• Lower total-cost-of-ownership
• Improved safety and working conditions for the end user

Applications:
• Switch valve isolation
• Four-way switch valve
• Drum overhead vapor line
• Feed and withdrawal lines
• Drum blowdown
• Heater isolation
• Cutting water isolation
• Safety relief isolation lines
• Drain and vent valves

Corporate Office & Manufacturing Plant Phone +1 713 860 0400

ValvTechnologies, Inc. Fax +1 713 860 0499
5904 Bingle Road sales@valv.com ©2018 ValvTechnologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Houston, Texas 77092 U.S.A. www.valv.com 1220_Four way switch valve product focus_March 2018.
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