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  • PLUG VALVE MAINTENANCE paper-PGJ - 1986

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    Parbat Singh
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    PLUG VALVE MAINTENANCE paper-PGJ_1986

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    9 views3 pages

    PLUG VALVE MAINTENANCE paper-PGJ - 1986

    Uploaded by

    Parbat Singh

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 3
    Reprinted from Pipoline & Gas Journal, July 1986 Correct Cleaning, Lubrication, And Sealing Of Plug, Gate, And Ball Types Will Insure Proper Valve Maintenance 3Rs REPORT bby W.d. Chisholm, President, Sealweld ‘Corporation, Houston, Texas Phugvalves are the most common valve inuse inthe energy pipeline business and, ‘because of the sheer numbers, the most i plug That complaint is that plug valves be ‘come inoperable if lubricated over a period of time with sick type lubricants Stick hibricants create these problems be- cause, to make the hibricating product {nto sick form. clay of other sold based thickeners are added, ‘Asthe lubricant polymerizs or hardens inthe valve, the sols ore elt behind. This fils the hubricant grooves as well as the cauiies above and below the plug, caus ing the valve to seize solids content of stick type lubri- «ants is much greater than that of greases contained in pais or cartidges The only advantage of making lubricants in stick formisthat they are easier to handle when londing into grease guns. Their lubricating qualities are greatly reduced. The hardening or drying process begins in mos lubricants when they are inected into a valve. This is caused by several factors such as heat, pressure, and the ton process that occurs nat ally because of the contaminants in processed gases or iquids: Stick type lubricants have a shorter shelflie than that exhibited by other bn ‘ants and old products can be hard of quite dry belore they are placed in the valve, if they have been in a warehouse forsome time. Operating a valve of any type with dry for hard greases “cemented into lubri- cating grooves causes sealing surface been known to separate under pressure. “The two-piece fiting can be identified ‘by looking at the botiom of the fiting. I the bottom is flat, this usually indicates that the top section (button) has been ‘pressed into the lower body ands held in place by a very fine metal ip. Do not remove the fitting 10 look atthe bottom, especially if the valve is under pressure. This type of iting was originally trucks, bulldozers, and construction ‘equipment. Most fitings today are of one piece ‘body with a double ball check sealing 5- tem. The obvious exception is on filings through a needieke probe is installed to venta valve cavity, such ason gate valves. ‘These fitings can have only a single check system. ‘Most ball valves have an intemal check valve installed below the bution head ft. ting and, though those check valves usu ly perform the function for which they were intended, if they become dirty or if heavy sealant has blown the check ‘mechanism out of them, they wil fal. Removal ofthe button head fiting can bbe very hazardous if thete is pressure on the valve, and should NEVER be re- ‘moved under such conditions. The only fiting that can be removed salely from any type of valve under pres- sure sthe combination button head fiting ‘and screw type injector, whichis found in the top center ofthe plug valve stem. This valve has a double check system installed atthe lower end ofthe stem and has been ‘designed so that the long fiting may be removed. Conclusions. The proof ofthe pudding isin the eating. asthe saying goes, and to prove how effective proper servicing can be, locate all the valves you have taqged for removal from the line and then clean fand relubricate them. You will lave a majority of those teaged valves in service. This “cure could represent a very sub- stantial savings of time and money. Effective plug valve maintenance can bbe accomplished using cleaners and nto.

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