6/15/2020 Bock and Bleed Valves Introduction

valves guide

Introduction to Double Block and Bleed

Double F%locl< and Bleed Systems
The primary function of a double block and bleed system is for isolation and the secondary
function is for intervention.

Under certain conditions double block and bleed systems are needed to prevent product
contamination or where it is necessary to remove essential equipment from service for
cleaning or repairs while the unit continues in operation.

Of course, such equipment must be provided with a spare or it must be possible to bypass it
temporarily without shutting down the unit.
The nature of the fluid, its pressure and temperature, and many other factors must be
considered when determining the need for double block and bleed systems.

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Bleck Valves

Bleed Valve

Te relief system er safe clispesal

Generally, block Valves should be considered for the onstream isolation of equipment if the
fluid is flammable or otherwise hazardous, or if the fluid is in high-pressure or high-
temperature service. Where double block Valves are used, a NPS 3/4 or larger bleed Valve
should be installed between the block Valves.
The purpose of the bleed Valve is twofold. First, the bleed ensures that the upstream Valve is
in fact tight before slipping in a blind off the downstream block Valve. The bleed connection
also permits the safe withdrawal of moderate leakage from the upstream Valve to again
assure the tight shutoff of the downstream Valve.

Depending on the service conditions, it may be possible to use a single block Valve with a body
bleed to provide double block and bleed provisions for onstream isolation of equipment.
Gate Valves with flexible wedges and with body or Bonnet bleed Valve can serve this purpose
if specifically tested in accordance with API-598 for double block and bleed quality Valves.
Some Ball Valves and nonlubricated Plug Valves, when equipped with a Valve body bleed
between the seats, can also be satisfactory substitutes for double block Valves.
Testing for double block and bleed quality Valves requires the pressure-testing of each seat,

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with leakage measured through the Valve body bleed as a means of substantiating the
independent leak tightness of both the upstream and downstream seats of the Valve.

Tuufifi Vi ee
Double Block and Bleed Animation for Industrial Valve Company

Double Block and Bleed Valves

The Double Block and Bleed Valve or a DBBV can perform the tasks of 3 separate Valves (2
separate isolations and 1 drain Valve) which apart from being hugely space sav'ng can also
save on weight and time due to installation and maintenance practices requirirg much less
work and the operator being able to locate and operate all 3 Valves in one location.

Double block and bleed Va ves operate on the principle that isolation can be achieved from
both the upstream and downstream process flow / pressures.
This is achieved by two bal , gate, globe, needle, etc. Valves placed back to back, with a third
"isolatable" Valve in the centre cavity.
Once isolation has been achieved in one or more of the main process isolation Valves, the
cavity that is created between these isolations can be drained. This is useful for flow diverting,
sampling or injection situations, and for maintenance and or integrity check situations where
seat leakage can be monitored through the third "bleed" Valve.

‘_

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The image on the left gives you a good impression, how a DBB Valve is constructed.
In this image example, three balls are mounted. 2 large balls that serve as a block (both are
closed), and the small ball serve as the bleed (ball is in open position).
Image comes from www.habonim.com. It is a DBB Valve in the dual-Safe series. For more information about
Habonim click the PDF icon below.
Double Block and Bleed Valves

Isolation (Stop) Valves in Pressure-Relief Piping

The article below (text) corres from the American Petroleum Institute (API)
Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-Relieving Devices in Refineries, Part II-Installation
API recommended practice 520 fifth edition

Isolation (Stop) Valves in Pressure-Relief Piping

Isolation block Valves may be used for maintenance purposes to isolate a pressure-
relief device from the equipment it protects or from its downstream disposal system.
Since irrproper use of an isolation Valve may render a pressure-relief device
inoperative, the design, installation, and administrative controls placed on these
isolatior block Valves should be carefully evaluated to ensure that plant safety is not
compro"nised. A pressure-relief device shall not be used as a block Valve to provide
positive isolation.

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Inlet Isolation Valves

A. Valves shall be full bore. ASME Section VIII Appendix I\/I recommends the use of full
area isolation (stop) Valves. Mandatory paragraph UG-1 35 (b)(1 ), of ASIVIE Section VIII,
requires that the opening through all pipe and fittings between a pressure vessel and
'ts pressure-Relief Valve shall have the area of the pressure-relief device inlet. It is
therefore recommended that the minimum flow area in the isolation Valve be equal
to or greater than the inlet area of the pressure-Relief Valve. The minimum flow area
of the isolation Valve and the inlet area of the pressureRelief Valve can be obtained
from the isolation Valve manufacturer and the pressure-Relief Valve manufacturer.

B. Valves shall be suitable for the line service classification.

C. Valves shall have the capability of being locked or carsealed open.

D. When Gate Valves are used, they should be installed with stems oriented
horizontally or, if this is not feasible, the stem could be oriented downward to a
maximum of 45° from the horizontal to keep the gate from falling off and blocking the
flow.
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E. A bleed Valve should be installed between the isolation Valve and the pressure-
relief device to enable the system to be safely depressurized prior to performing
maintenance. This bleed Valve can also be used to prevent pressure build-up between
the pressure-relief device and the closed outlet isolation Valve.

F. Consideration should be given to using an interlocking system between the inlet

and outlet isolation Valves to assist with proper sequencing.

G. Consideration should be given to painting the isolation Valve a special color or

providing other identification. When placing the pressure-relief device into service, it
is recommended to gradually open the isolation Valve. This ramping up of system
pressure can help prevent unwanted opening of a Valve seat due to the momentum
of the fluid. The inlet Valve must be open fully.

Outlet Isolation Valves

A. Valves shall be full bore. ASME Section VIII Appendix I\/I recommends the use of full
area isolation (stop) Valves. To help minimize the built-up back pressure, it is
recommended that the minimum flow area in the outlet isolation Valve be equal to or
greater than the outlet area of the pressure-Relief Valve. The minimum flow area of
the outlet isolation Va ve and the outlet area of the pressure-Relief Valve can be
obtained from the iso ation Valve manufacturer and the pressure-Relief Valve
manufacturer respect'vely.

B. Valves shall be suitable for line service classification.

C. Valves shall have the capability of being locked or carsealed open. This outlet
isolation shall never be closed while the vessel is in operation without using an inlet
isolation Valve that has first been closed with the space between the inlet isolation
Valve and the pressure-Relief Valve adequately depressured.

D. A bleed Valve should be installed between the outlet isolation Valve and pressure-
relief device to enable the system to be safely depressurized prior to performing
maintenance. This bleed Valve can also be used to prevent pressure build-up between
the pressure-relief device and the closed outlet isolation Valve.

E. Consideration should be given to using an interlocking system between the inlet

and outlet isolation Valves to assist with proper sequencing.

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F. Consideration should be given to painting the isolation Valve a special color or

providing other identification. Wren the outlet isolation Valve is used in conjunction
with an inlet isolation Valve, upor commissioning the pressurerelief device, the outlet
isolation Valve shall be opened fully prior to the inlet isolation Valves.

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True meaning of Double Block and Bleed

Rudy Garza, I\/Iechanical Lead-Static Equipment Engineering Group at Exxonlvlobil
Development Company, gave a presentation at the VI\/IA Technical Seminar in San Antonio
entitled "lsolation Philosophies" in which he asserted that many people take the term "Double
Block and Bleed" (DBB) to mean the same thing as Double Positive Isolation" (DPI).

It's time to do maintenance on a section of process. You don't want to shut down the entire
facility, so you decide to block off and depressurize just the section you're working on. just
upstream is a double block and bleed Valve - a trunnion-mounted Ball Valve with self-relieving
seals and a bleed Valve to vent the cavity. You close the Ball Valve and open the bleeder. Now
you can de-pressurize the line downstream and open it up to work on it.
No so fast, says Rudy Garza. You may think that Valve gives you double isolation, but it doesn't and that could be dangerous....I\/lore on
the next page

Large images of Valves

l RS Gate l l NRS Gate I Globe(1) I l Globe(2) l Ball(1) Ball(2)

l Butterfly Swing Check l l Piston Check l ORBIT

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© Werner Solken 2008 - 2020. All rights reserved.

The rumours of the demise of the U.S. manufacturing industry are greatly exaggerated. ELON MUSK

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