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Valves - Fundamentals of Valve Design and Construction
KNOWLEDGE

Valves - Fundamentals of Valve Design and

Dimensions of Class
Construction
150 Copper Alloy

Flanges (/dimensions-
What is a Valve?
of-class-150-copper-
A Valve is a device comprising of an obturator or closure member that is used to
alloy-flanges)
control flow or pressure in a piping system.
Dimensions of Class
Valves are one the most important component of a piping system and specifying 300 Copper Alloy
the correct type, design and material of valve is crucial for plant operation. The Flanges (/dimensions-
function of valves in a piping system is one of the following:
of-class-300-copper-

Start and stop flow (On-off valves) alloy-flanges)

Control or regulate flow (Regulating valves) Ball Valve Data Sheet -

Prevent back-flow (Check valves) Blank Template (/ball-

Divert flow (Multi-port valves) valve-data-sheet-

Relieve pressure from a piping system (Pressure relief valves or Pressure- blank-template)

vacuum relief valves)

Dimensions of PVC

Pipes Sch80 as per

Types of Valves
ASTM D1785
The various types of valves commonly used in any plant facilities are:
1 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
(/dimensions-of-pvc-
Gate valves
Valves - Fundamentals
Globe valves of Valve Design and Const... https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
pipes-sch80-as-per-

Check valves astm-d1785)

Ball valves Dimensions of PVC

Plug valves Pipes Sch120 as per

Butterfly valves ASTM D1785

Pinch valves (/dimensions-of-pvc-

Diaphragm valves pipes-sch120-as-per-

Valves which relieve pressure are excluded from this discussion. They are astm-d1785)

discussed in a separate article. Dimensions of 20 bar

rating Cu-Ni Pipes

Classification of Valves based on Closure Element
(Tubes) (/dimension-
In addition to the function of the valve, valves can also be classified based on
of-20-bar-rating-cu-ni-
the movement of the closure element.
pipes-tubes)

Based on movement of Obturator or Closure Element, valves can be classified Dimensions of 16 bar

into the following broad categories. rating Cu-Ni Pipes

Closing Obturator: In this type of valve the closure member i.e. disc or plug (Tubes) (/dimension-

moves along the seat axis, towards or away from the direction of valve seat or of-16-bar-rating-cu-ni-

port. Globe valve, Needle valve and Piston valve fall in this category of valves. pipes-tubes)

Dimensions of PVC
Sliding Obturator: In this type of valve, the closure member i.e. wedge gate or
Pipes Sch40 as per
parallel gate moves perpendicular to the direction of flow at the valve port. Gate
ASTM D1785 (/pvc-
valves fall in this category of valves. Ball valves, Plug valves and Butterfly
pipe-dimensions-
valves fall in this category of valves.
sch40-as-per-astm-
Rotary Obturator: In this type of valve, the closure member has a port which is
d1785)
turned through 90 degrees such that the port aligns with the direction of flow
ASTM Designations for
allowing full flow across the valve or the port is at right angles to the direction of
Piping Materials
flow shutting off the flow.
(/astm-designations-
Flexible Obturator: In this type of valve, the closure member is a flexible
for-piping-materials)
passage which is flattened or pinched to restrict the flow and vice versa to let
API 6A Type 6BX 3000
flow pass through the valve. Diaphragm valves and Pinch valves fall in this
psi Flange Dimensions
category of valves.
(/api-6a-type-6bx-

3000-psi-flange-
2 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
dimensions)
Valves - Fundamentals of Valve Design and Const... https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
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KNOWLEDGE ON

THIS TOPIC

Valves - Fundamentals

of Valve Design and

Construction (/valves-

fundamentals-of-valve-
CLASSIFICATION OF VALVES
design-and-

construction)

Components of a Valve Introduction to Valves

Pressure Containing Components: Valve body, bonnet or cover, disc, and in Piping Systems

body-bonnet bolting are specified as pressure-containing components of a valve (/introduction-to-

as they are subject to the full design pressure of the specified valve. The valves-in-piping-

pressure containing components are designed to withstand the design pressure systems)

and temperature conditions specified in the valve data sheet. Since the

pressure containing components come in contact with the process fluid their
OTHER TOPICS -
material is required to be compatible with the service. In many cases for a cost

effective design the pressure containing components are specified in carbon VALVES

steel material with internal lining or overlay to withstand the corrosive fluid.
Valves General
Non-Pressure Containing Components: Components of a valve such as (/valves-general)

valve seats, stem, yoke, packing, gland bolting, bushings, hand wheel, lever,
Gate Valve (/gate-
gear operator or other valve actuators are not required to be designed for valve)

pressure containment and are considered as non-pressure containing

Globe Valve
components. (/globe-valve)

Valve Body Check Valve

(/check-valve)
The valve body is the main pressure containing part of the valve and its
Ball Valve (/ball-
thickness is determined by the governing standard that defines the pressure valve)
rating of the valve. For example ASME B16.34 defines the thickness of valve
Plug Valve (/plug-
bodies for various types of valves and pressure ratings. Valve body gets subject valve)

to shell test pressure as per the applicable testing standard of the valve.
3 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
Valves - Fundamentals
The of Valve
body of the valve Design
can be in castand Const...
or forged construction.https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
Very small sized Butterfly Valve
(/butterfly-valve)
valves are in some cases manufactured out of bar stock. In most cases, valves

up to 1½" are purchased in forged construction and valves 2" and larger in cast Diaphragm Valve
(/diaphragm-valve)
bodies. The shape of the valve body depends on the type of valve.

The ends of a valve can be flanged, socket-welded, threaded or butt-welded Double Block and
Bleed Valve
connections depending on the piping material class requirements. Most (/double-block-and-
bleed-valve)
company specifications require the flanges to be integral with the body of the

valve. Valves with flanged connections welded to the body are seldom accepted

by most companies.

If the valve is specified for an application that requires a corrosion allowance

larger than 3 mm, the requirement to compensate the valve body thickness with

higher corrosion allowance must be clearly highlighted in the valve

specifications and data sheets. It may be noted that internal lining or cladding

on the valve body does not contribute to the pressure design thickness of the

valve body.

Valve Bonnet
The bonnet covers the valve body and acts as a support and guide for the stem

and gland packing. Not all valves have bonnet. Check valves have only cover.

Similarly there is no defined bonnet for a conventional two piece or three piece

design ball valve. Bonnet design will vary with the design of the valve. The

bonnet is in most cases bolted or screwed to the valve body. For a full welded

design the bonnet is welded to the body of the valve. The connection between
the valve body and bonnet is subjected to the full valve design pressure and is

designed accordingly. In case of bolted bonnet joints the gaskets used shall be

compatible with the fluid service and suitable for the design conditions of the
valve. The material of bonnet is normally same as valve body.

Valve Bonnet Design can be one of the following types:

Threaded Bonnet: In a threaded bonnet design the bonnet is attached to the

body by screwing it into or onto the body neck. Threaded Bonnet can be Screw-

In type or Screw-On type. In a screw-in bonnet the bonnet has external threads
and the neck of the body has internal threads. In a screw-on bonnet, the bonnet
4 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
has internal threads and the neck of the body has external threads.
Valves - Fundamentals
Union of Valve
Bonnet: Union Design
Bonnet and
design Const...
offers https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
a quick and easy method of

assembling and disassembling the bonnet from the valve body. The union

bonnet provides a tight closure with least effort

Bolted Bonnet: In a bolted bonnet design, the bonnet and the body flanges are
bolted together. This type of bonnet design results in an Outside Screw and

Yoke (O.S&Y) design with rising stem. The stem has threads on the outside of

the valve body and hence does not come in contact with the fluid service. This
eliminates the possibility of corrosion or erosion of the stem threads. The stem

on the outside of the body can be easily lubricated for extending the life of the

valve.

Valve Stem
The valves stem transfers the rotary motion or torque applied on the hand-

wheel, lever or actuator to the obturator i.e. disk, ball or plug causing it to open,
close or throttle the flow. In case of ball, plug and butterfly valves the rotary

motion of stem is transferred to the disk as is. However, in case of gate and

globe valves the rotary motion of stem is translated into linear motion of the
disk. Since torque is applied on the stem, it should have enough mechanical

strength to withstand the shear forces on the stem. The breakaway torque of a

valve is usually larger than its runaway torque. Breakaway torque is the torque
required for moving a valve from a fully closed position and under full differential

pressure. Stem design shall be based on the maximum torque the stem will be

subjected to during its operation. In addition to shear force a stem may be

subject to a thrust force due to pressure acting along the stem axis as in case of

a globe valve. In such cases the stem design shall also taken into consideration

the maximum thrust force acting on the stem. Typically, the stem is not specified
as a pressure containment part while preparing valve data sheets.

In valves where the stem is normally in contact with the fluid service, the stem

material must be compatible with the piping service. In such cases the stem

design shall ensure no leakage of fluid between the stem and the gland

packing. The stem is required to have a fine surface finish to prevent any
leakage across the gland packing. Stems are normally of forged construction

and connected to the obturator by means of the following types of stem

5 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
designs:
Valves - Fundamentals of Valve Design and Const... https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...

RISING AND NON-RISING STEM

Rising Stem with Outside Screw and Yoke: The exposed part of the stem is
threaded, while the part of stem inside the valve is smooth. The exposed stem

threads, therefore do not come in contact with the process fluid. There are two
styles of stems, one with the handwheel fixed to the top of the stem which

causes the handwheel to move at tandem with the stem, and the other with a

threaded sleeve that causes the stem to rise through the center of handwheel
which is at a fixed level. Rising stem with outside screw and yoke (OS&Y) is

commonly specified for valves 2 inches and larger.

Rising Stern with Inside Screw: The threaded part of the stem is inside the
valve body, and the stem packing is encases the smooth section of exposed

stem. In this design, the stem threads come in contact with the flow medium.

When rotated, the stem and the handwheel rise together to open the valve. This
design is commonly used in the smaller-sized low pressure gate and globe

valves.

Non-Rising Stem with Inside Screw: The threaded section of the stem is

inside the valve and does not rise. The valve disc travels linearly with respect to
the stem. In this design, the stem threads come in contact with the flow medium.

Therefore, this design is used where linear movement of stem is restricted due

to space constraints and where process fluids are not corrosive, erosive and do
no cause wear and tear of stem material.

Sliding Stem: The stem does not rotate, and it is without a thread. It slides in

and out of the valve packing to close, open, or position the valve closure
member. This design is used in hand-lever-operated, quick-opening valves. It is
6 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
also used in control valves operated by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.
Valves - Fundamentals
Rotary Stem: Thisof
is Valve Design
the most and Const...
commonly https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
used design in stem of ball, plug, and

butterfly valves. A quarter-turn rotary motion of stem causes the valve closure

member to fully open or shut the valve.

Valve Disk and Seats

The valve disk, plug or ball is considered as a pressure containment component

since it gets exposed to the full differential pressure when the valve is in closed
position. In partially open position the disk, plug or ball is not subject to full

differential pressure and does not act as a pressure containment component.

When the valve is cracked open the valve port can see high fluid velocities that

can cause erosion in the seat and disk. Not all valve types are designed for
throttling and hence due care must be exercised as ball valve and gate valve

disks are not designed for throttling or regulating flow.

The disk plug or ball is held by the seats to form a seal for stopping the flow.

Gate and ball valves have two seating surfaces whereas globe, butterfly and
check valves have one seating surface. The disk provides the capability for

permitting and prohibiting fluid flow. A highly smooth surface finish and a

differential hardness is maintained between the disk and seat to achieve good

sealing characteristics. In most cases seat rings are threaded, welded or press

fit to the body of the valve and can be replaced if they get damaged. There are

some designs where the body surface serves as the seating surface, but this is
not a preferred design. Disks are usually manufactured in forged construction

and specified with hard overlays such as tungsten carbide or stellite overlay to

improve their wear resistance.

Valve Trim
As per API 600, trim of a valve includes the stem, the gate seat surfaces, the

body (or seat ring) seat surfaces and the backseat stem contact surface. Table
13 of API 600 also specifies the basic trim materials.

Valve Stem Packing

The stem packing acts a seal between the valve internals which contains the

pressurized process fluid and the external environment. Manufacturers have

their patented design for stem packing to ensure that the packing is compatible
7 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
with the process fluid while maintaining the leak tight conditions. For example
Valves - Fundamentals
graphite of Valve
seals are not used Design andcontainment
as primary Const... https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
seals but only as back-up

seals for fire resistance properties.

There is a worldwide focus now on limiting fugitive emissions. A good stem seal
design is important in controlling fugitive emissions. Two commonly used

designs in achieving effective sealing is chevron packing or O-rings. The

packing in the stuffing box is held in compressed state by screw type connection
or bolted connection. The flange type seal easy maintenance and replacement

of the stem packing. As the valves are cycled into open and closed positions the

stem seals are subject to wear and need replacement.

Valve stem packing is inspected periodically. If there are any signs of leakage
the packing is usually compressed by using gland nuts.

Valve Backseat and Stem Protector

Backseat: Stems in gate and glove valves are provided with a shoulder inside

the bonnet which serves as a backseat. When the valve is in the fully open

position the stem backseat forms a seal with the stem and shuts off pressure to

the stuffing box thereby preventing the leakage of process fluid through the

stem packing. The backseat essentially serves as a backup to the primary stem

packing seal. The backseat permits the replacement of stem packing on-line

without having to shutdown the operations. Backseat test is carried out as part

of the valve inspection and testing process.

Stem Protector: In gate and globe valves of OS&Y rising stem design, a stem

protector is used to protect the stem from damage

Valve Actuator
The valve actuator operates the stem and disk gate plug or ball assembly. An
actuator may be a manually operated handwheel operated, lever operated, gear

operated, motor actuated, pneumatically actuated or hydraulically actuated.

When the actuator is not provided by the manufacturer, close interface is

required between the valve manufacturer and actuator supplier to ensure overall

integrity of the actuated valve. In such situations it is important to have a single

point responsibility for the entire assembly.

8 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
Valve Codes and Standards
ValvesThe
- Fundamentals of Valve
material that follows Designthe
includes andmost
Const... https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
commonly used standards for

valves used in ASME B31 process projects from a variety of recognized bodies.

These codes and standards contain the rules and requirements for design,

pressure-temperature ratings, dimensions, tolerances, materials, nondestructive

examinations, testing, and inspection and quality assurance. Compliance to

these and other standards is invoked by reference to codes of construction,

specifications, contracts, or regulations.

ASME Standards
ASME B16.10 - Face-to-Face and End-to-End Dimensions of Valves

ASME B16.20 - Metallic Gaskets for Pipe Flanges: Ring Joint, Spiral
Wound, Jacketed

ASME B16.21 - Non Metallic Flat Gaskets for Pipe Flanges. 2.4 Valves 83

ASME B16.38 - Large Metallic Valves for Gas Distribution (Manually

Operated, NPS 2%" to 12, 125 psig Maximum)

ASME B16.40 - Manually Operated Thermoplastic Gas Shutoffs and Valves

in Gas Distribution Systems

ASME B18.2.1 - Square and Hex Bolts and Screws

ASME B18.2.2 - Square and Hex Nuts

AWWA Standards and Specifications

AWWA C500 - Metal-Seated Gate Valves for Water Supply Service

AWWA C501 - Cast-Iron Sluice Gates. C504, Rubber-Seated Butterfly

Valves
AWWA C507 - Ball Valves, 6 in. through 48 in. (150 mm through 1200 mm)

AWWA C508 - Swing Check Valves for Waterworks Service

AWWA C509 - Resilient-Seated Gate Valves for Water Supply Service

AWWA C510 - Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly

AWWA C511 - Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly

AWWA C512 - Air-Release, Air-Vacuum, and Combination Air Valves for

Waterworks Service

AWWA C540 - Power-Actuating Devices for Valves and Sluice Gates

AWWA C550 - Protective Epoxy Interior Coatings for Valves and Hydrants

9 of 13 3/31/20, 16:00
British Standards and European Norms
Valves - Fundamentals
BS 1868 - Steelofcheck
Valvevalves
Design and Const...
(flanged and butt-weldinghttps://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
ends) for petroleum,

petrochemical and allied industries.

BS 6755 - Testing of valves - Part 2. Specification for fire type testing

requirements

BE EN 1984 - Industrial Valves - Steel Gate valves

BS EN ISO 17292 - Metal ball valves for petroleum, petrochemical and

allied industries

BS EN 15761 - Steel gate, globe and check valves for sizes DN100 and

smaller, for the petroleum and natural gas industries

BS EN 12266 Part 1 and 2 - Industrial valves Testing of valves

EN 10204 - Metallic products - Type of inspection documents

DIN EN ISO 5210 - Industrial valves - Multi-turn valve actuator with

attachments

American Petroleum Institute Specifications

API 6D - Specification for Pipeline Valves (Gate, Plug, Ball, and Check

Valves)

API 6FA - Specification for Fire Test for Valves

API 6FB - Specification for Fire Test for End Connections

API 6FC - Specification for Fire Test for Valves with Automatic Backseats.

API 6FD - Specification for Fire Test for Check Valves

API 14A - Specification for Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment.

API 14D - Specification for Wellhead Surface Safety Valves and Underwater

Safety Valve for Offshore Service

API Standards
API 526 - Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves
API 527 - Seat Tightness of Pressure Relief Valves

API 589 - Fire Test for Evaluation of Valve Stem Packing

API 594 - Wafer and Wafer-Lug Check Valves

API 598 - Valve Inspection and Testing

API 599 - Metal Plug Valves-Flanged and Welding Ends

API 600 - Steel Gate Valves-Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends

10 of 13
API 602 - Compact Steel Gate Valves-Flanged, Threaded, Welding, and 3/31/20, 16:00
Extended-Body Ends
Valves - Fundamentals
API 603 - Classof150,
Valve Design
Cast, and Const...
Corrosion-Resistant, https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
Flanged-End Gate Valves

API 607 - Fire Test for Soft-Seated Quarter-Turn Valves

API 608 - Metal Ball Valves-Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends

API 609 - Butterfly valves, double flanged, lug and wafer type

MSS Standards
MSS-SP-6 - Standard Finishes for Contact Faces of Pipe Flanges and

Connecting-End Flanges of Valves and Fittings

MSS-SP-9 - Spot Facing for Bronze, Iron and Steel Flanges

MSS-SP-25 - Standard Marking System for Valves, Fittings, Flanges, and

Unions
MSS-SP-42 - Class 150 Corrosion Resistant Gate, Globe, Angle, and Check

Valves with Flanged and Butt-Weld Ends

MSS-SP-45 - Bypass and Drain Connection Standard

MSS-SP-53 - Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves,

Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components-Magnetic Particle

Examination Method

MSS-SP-54 - Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves,
Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components-Radiographic

Examination Method

MSS-SP-55 - Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves,
Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components-Visual Method

MSS-SP-60 - Connecting Flange Joint between Tapping Sleeves and

Tapping Valves
MSS-SP-61 - Pressure Testing of Steel Valves. MSS-SP-67, Butterfly

Valves

MSS-SP-68 - High Pressure-Offset Seat Butterfly Valves. MSS-SP-70, Cast

Iron Gate Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends

MSS-SP-71 - Cast Iron Swing Check Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends

MSS-SP-72 - Ball Valves with Flanged or Butt-Welding Ends for General

Service

MSS-SP-78 - Cast Iron Plug Valves, Flanged and Threaded Ends

MSS-SP-80 - Bronze Gate, Globe, Angle and Check Valves

11 of 13 MSS-SP-81 - Stainless Steel, Bonnetless, Flanged Knife Gate Valves 3/31/20, 16:00
Valves - Fundamentals of Valve
MSS-SP-82 - Valve Design
Pressure and Const...
Testing Methods https://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...

MSS-SP-84 - Valves-Socket-Welding and Threaded Ends

MSS-SP-85 - Cast Iron Globe and Angle Valves, Flanged and Threaded

Ends

MSS-SP-86 - Guidelines for Metric Data in Standards for Valves, Flanges,

Fittings, and Actuators.

MSS-SP-88 - Diaphragm Type Valves

MSS-SP-91 - Guidelines for Manual Operation of Valves. MSS-SP-92, MSS

Valve User Guide

MSS-SP-93 - Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves,

Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components-Liquid Penetrant

Examination Method

MSS-SP-94 - Quality Standard for Steel Castings and Forgings for Valves,

Flanges, and Fittings and Other Piping Components-Ultrasonic Examination

Method

MSS-SP-96 - Guidelines on Terminology for Valves and Fittings

MSS-SP-98 - Protective Epoxy Coatings for the Interior of Valves and

Hydrants

MSS-SP-99 - Instrument Valves

MSS-SP-100 - Qualification Requirements for Elastomer Diaphragms for

Nuclear Service Diaphragm Type Valves

MSS-SP-101 - Part-Turn Valve Actuator Attachment-Flange and Driving

Components Dimensions and Performance Characteristics

MSS-SP-102 - Multi-Turn Valve Actuator Attachment-Flange and Driving

Component Dimensions and Performance Characteristics

MSS-SP-105 - Instrument Valves for Code Applications

MSS-SP-108 - Resilient Seated-Eccentric Cast Iron Plug Valves

Valve Data Sheets

Valve data sheets are prepared and issued by Engineering Companies for
procurement purposes. The valve data sheets are prepared for each type of

valve specifying the main features as defined in the relevant piping material

class and the applicable specification. The valve data sheets should specify the
12 ofservice
13 fluid to ensure compatibility of the valve seals and gland packing 3/31/20, 16:00
Valves - Fundamentals
material of Valve
for the intended Design
service. and
For softConst...
seated valves it ishttps://www.piping-world.com/valves-fundamental...
customary to

specify the actual maximum and minimum operating temperatures instead of

the design temperatures which may be much higher. For pipeline valves, the

data sheets must also specify the pipeline internal diameter and tolerances.

C Last Updated: 23 August 2019

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