Document No.

CRT-AK-43-35
Applicability BPXA
Date April 12, 2007

Criteria for
Valves for Pipelines

CRT-AK-43-35

Revision History and Approval

Revision Date TA Approval EA Approval Remarks
0 4/12/2007 Tom O’Grady Corey Herod Initial version.

BPXA
SITE TECHNICAL PRACTICES
April 12, 2007 CRT-AK-43-35
Criteria for Valves for Pipelines

Foreword

This is the first issue of Site Technical Practice (STP) BPXA CRT-AK-43-35. This Criteria (CRT) is
based on parts of heritage documents from the merged BP companies as follows:

British Petroleum
GS 130-6 Actuators for Shutoff Valves.
RP 30-3 Selection and Use of Control and Shut-Off Valves.
RP 43-1 Onshore Transmission Pipelines to BS 8010.
RP 62-1 Guide to Valve Selection.

Amoco
A PN-PLV-CODE-S Piping—Pipeline Valve—Codes—Specification.
A PN-PL-VA-P Piping—Pipeline—Gate, Ball and Check Valves—Procurement
Specification.
A PN-PL-VA-G Piping—Pipeline—Gate, Ball and Check Valves—Guide.
A PN-OFS-HOP-C Piping—Offshore—Hydrotesting Offshore Pipelines—Construction
Specification.

ARCO
ES 203-92 Ball Valve Procurement Specification.

BP Exploration (Alaska)
SPC-PP-00060 Valve Procurement Specification.

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Table of Contents
Page
Foreword............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................6
1. Scope .......................................................................................................................................7
2. Normative References ..............................................................................................................7
3. Terms and Definitions...............................................................................................................7
4. Symbols and Abbreviations ......................................................................................................8
5. Connection to Pipeline..............................................................................................................8
5.1. Flanged Valves..............................................................................................................8
5.2. Weld-end Valves ...........................................................................................................9
5.3. High-strength Pipe.........................................................................................................9
5.4. Nonwelded Connections................................................................................................9
6. Valve Type Selection ................................................................................................................9
6.1. General..........................................................................................................................9
6.2. Preservice Conditions....................................................................................................9
7. Maintenance Considerations ..................................................................................................10
7.1. Effect of Maintenance Strategy ...................................................................................10
7.2. Welded Body Valves ...................................................................................................10
7.3. Hard Metal-seated Ball Valves ....................................................................................10
8. Isolation ..................................................................................................................................10
8.1. Terminology.................................................................................................................11
8.2. Positive versus Passive Isolation (See CRT-AK-62-01)..............................................11
8.3. Double-block Isolation (See CRT-AK-62-01)...............................................................11
8.4. Double-block Isolation Using a Single Valve ...............................................................12
8.5. Pig Launcher/Receiver Isolation..................................................................................13
9. Shutdown Valves (ESD, SSIV, and HIPPS) ...........................................................................13
9.1. Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Valves...........................................................................13
9.2. Subsea Isolation (SSI) Valves .....................................................................................14
9.3. High-integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) Valves........................................15
9.4. Speed of Operation .....................................................................................................16
9.5. Testing.........................................................................................................................16
10. Testing (General)....................................................................................................................17
10.1. Recommended Factory Acceptance Tests..................................................................17
10.2. Recommended Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Seat Leak Rates..............................18
10.3. Fire Safety ...................................................................................................................19
11. Subsea Applications ...............................................................................................................19
12. Seals and Sealing Materials ...................................................................................................19
12.1. General........................................................................................................................19

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12.2. Elastomer O-ring Seals ...............................................................................................19

12.3. Polymer Lip Seals........................................................................................................20
12.4. Metal Seals and Gaskets.............................................................................................20
12.5. Gland Packings ...........................................................................................................20
13. Design and Stress/Strain Considerations ...............................................................................21
13.1. Strain-limited Design ...................................................................................................21
13.2. Bolt Preloading ............................................................................................................22
13.3. Drive Train Requirements............................................................................................22
14. Check Valves..........................................................................................................................22
14.1. General........................................................................................................................22
14.2. Valve Selection............................................................................................................22
14.3. Unstable Flow..............................................................................................................23
14.4. Reciprocating Pump Outlet Valves..............................................................................23
14.5. Location .......................................................................................................................23
14.6. Hinge Pin and Bearing Design ....................................................................................23
14.7. Wafer-type Check Valves ............................................................................................23
14.8. Vertical Flow Valve Location .......................................................................................23
15. Buried Valves .........................................................................................................................23
16. Auxiliary Connections .............................................................................................................23
16.1. General........................................................................................................................23
16.2. Taper Threaded Plugs, etc. .........................................................................................24
16.3. Sealing of Penetrations ...............................................................................................24
16.4. Auxiliary Connections ..................................................................................................24
16.5. Body Cavity Pressure Relief Valves ............................................................................24
17. Sealant Injection .....................................................................................................................24
17.1. General........................................................................................................................24
17.2. Connections to the Valve Body ...................................................................................25
17.3. Sealant Distribution Test .............................................................................................25
17.4. Stem Sealant Injection.................................................................................................25
18. Actuation/Operation ................................................................................................................25
18.1. Hand Operation ...........................................................................................................25
18.2. Electric Motor Gear Operator ......................................................................................25
18.3. Hydraulic Actuators .....................................................................................................26
18.4. Pneumatic Actuators ...................................................................................................26
18.5. Conversion of Linear to Rotary Motion ........................................................................27
19. European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).....................................................................27
20. Materials .................................................................................................................................28
20.1. General........................................................................................................................28
20.2. Material Composition of Welding End Pipeline Valves ................................................28
20.3. Low Temperature Toughness......................................................................................28
20.4. Corrosion and Corrosion Protection ............................................................................29
Bibliography .....................................................................................................................................30

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List of Tables

Table 1 Seat leak test acceptance standards (ISO 5208)....................................................................... 18

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Introduction

This Criteria (CRT) is intended to be supplemental to CRT-AK-62-01, which incorporates the BPXA
guidance for valves, and it is meant to furnish additional requirements for valves to be used in pipeline
service. Refer to BP PR 43 for directions in the use and applications of this standard. More detailed
information on valve specifications is contained in SPC-AK-43-351 for onshore pipelines and the
risers of offshore platforms.

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1. Scope

This Criteria (CRT) provides guidance for piggable valves in gas and liquid hydrocarbon service for
both onshore and offshore pipelines. It is supplementary to CRT-AK-62-01, which also addresses non-
piggable valve requirements. Requirements for location and spacing of valves are presented in CRT-
AK-43-20 (for onshore pipeline valves).

2. Normative References

The following normative documents contain requirements that, through reference in this text,
constitute requirements of this Site Technical Practice (STP). For dated references, subsequent
amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to
agreements based on this technical practice are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying
the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the
latest edition of the normative document referred to applies.

BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BPXA)

SPC-AK-43-351 Specification for Onshore Pipeline and Offshore Platform Riser Valves
CRT-AK-43-20 Criteria for Onshore Pipeline Design
CRT-AK-62-01 Criteria for Valves

International Standards Organization (ISO)

ISO 5208 Industrial valves – Pressure testing of valves.
ISO 14313 (API 6D) Petroleum and natural gas industries – Pipeline transportation systems –
Pipeline valves.
ISO 15156 Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries — Materials for Use in H2S-
Containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production (NACE MR0175)
Part 1: General Principles for Selection of Cracking-Resistant Materials
Part 2: Cracking-Resistant Carbon and Low Alloy Steels, and the Use of
Cast Irons
Part 3: Cracking-resistant CRAs (Corrosion-Resistant Alloys) and Other
Alloys

3. Terms and Definitions

For the purposes of this CRT, the following terms and definitions apply:

Double-Block and Bleed Valve

A valve with two seating surfaces that, in the closed position, provides a seal against pressure from
both valve ends of the valve with a means of venting/bleeding the cavity between the seating surfaces.

Note that this is effectively the same definition as is included in International

Standards Organization (ISO) 14313 (American Petroleum Institute [API] 6D).

Double-Isolation Valve
A single valve with two seating surfaces, each of which provides a seal against pressure originating
from a single source. This feature may be provided in one direction or in both directions.

Double-Isolation and Bleed Valve

A single valve with two seating surfaces, each of which provides a seal against pressure or flow from a
single source, with a means of venting the cavity between the seating surfaces.

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4. Symbols and Abbreviations

API American Petroleum Institute

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ATC Actuator Technology Company (trademark)

CE carbon equivalent

CRT Criteria

DN nominal diameter

DPS double-piston seat

EEMUA Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association

ENP electroless nickel-plated

ESD emergency shutdown (valves)

FAT Factory Acceptance Test

HIPPS high-integrity pressure protection system

ISO International Standards Organization

mm millimeter

NPS nominal pipe size

PEEK polyetheretherketone

psi pounds per square inch

psig pounds per square inch gauge

PRV pressure relief valve

PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®)

ROV remotely operated vehicle

SIL safety integrity level

SSIV subsea isolation valve

TD design temperature

5. Connection to Pipeline

5.1. Flanged Valves

Unless specified as “weld end,” pipeline valves should be provided with flanged ends in
accordance with American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B16.5 or ASME B16.47.

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5.2. Weld-end Valves

a. The ends of weld-end pipeline valves should be provided with pipe extensions or
“pups” that can be welded to the valve body and post-weld heat treated prior to
assembly of the internal parts.
b. The length of each pipe pup should be at least as long as the nominal diameter of the
valve.
The common practice is for line isolation valves to be welded to the pipe except if
they interface with a pig trap, etc. The minimum pup length protects the soft seals,
etc. within the valves.
c. The pipe pups should be supplied to the valve manufacturer from the line pipe stock,
and this material should be provided in a timely manner to meet the valve
manufacturer’s schedule for welding procedure qualification.
BP project experience has shown that problems have arisen if the valve
manufacturer supplies the pipeline pups. On a recent project where grade X70 line
pipe was used, the valve manufacturer inadvertently procured low-grade pup
material that failed during the valve hydrotest. This delayed the valve supply, with
the attendant impact on the construction schedule.

5.3. High-strength Pipe

If high-strength pipe (X70 +) means that it may be impossible to weld a valve having relatively
low strength directly to the pipe (because of the disparity in wall thickness), the valve
manufacturer shall weld on an intermediate forged adaptor piece in a material having a strength
between that of the valve and that of the pipe.

5.4. Nonwelded Connections

If nonwelded connections are required and size or weight are major factors, proprietary or
Norsok compact flanges and (in the smaller sizes) clamp-type connectors should be considered.

6. Valve Type Selection

6.1. General
a. For piggable applications, one of the following three basic block valve types should
be installed:
1. Slab-type through conduit gate valves.
2. Expanding type (parallel) through conduit gate valves.
3. Trunnion-mounted ball valves.
b. Check valve choice should be restricted to special piggable designs of swing check.
For discussion of the merits of each, see CRT-AK-62-01
c. If pigging is not required, balanced, lubricated plug valves (or, in liquid and low-
pressure gas service only, expanding plug valves) may also be used for isolation
service.
d. Axial flow-type check valves and duo disk checks may also be used and usually have
better dynamic characteristics than swing check valves.

6.2. Preservice Conditions

a. Even if the normal operating conditions are clean, metal-seated valves suitable for
dirty service should be chosen for critical isolation service.

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Conditions during construction, line clearing, dewatering, and start-up are

frequently the most severe that a valve sees, and these conditions can cause
permanent damage to soft-seated valves.
b. Soft-seated valves should be installed after line clearing/dewatering is complete
unless appropriate steps are taken to protect them prior to normal operation.
In the case of soft-seated ball valves, protection by means of silicone sealant
application to the circumferential gaps in the bore has been shown to provide
effective protection. An effective management procedure is required to prevent
premature closure of treated valves.

7. Maintenance Considerations

7.1. Effect of Maintenance Strategy

The maintenance strategy being adopted for valves should be established early in the selection
process.
The maintenance strategy can affect both the ultimate choice of valve type and the
spares requirements. Top-entry access (i.e., gate valve, top-entry ball valve) offers
the possibility of maintenance in situ and replacement of valve internals regardless
of pipe connections. The lack of local skills/facilities or the inadequacy of
lifting/handling facilities means that this is rarely achievable in practice.
If the intention is to remove valves to a workshop for maintenance, maximum
flexibility of valve selection is possible, allowing top entry gate and ball valves
along with all welded or split body ball valves. In this case, sparing policy needs to
take account of the necessity to provide complete replacement valves. The choice of
end connections needs to balance the inconvenience of cutting out welded-in valves
against the convenience, increased cost, and negative environmental potential of
flanged and other mechanical connections.

7.2. Welded Body Valves

The benefits/limitations of welded body versus nonwelded body valves should be carefully
evaluated.
Welded body ball valves minimize the risk of leakage to the environment and, if
installed in the main line using welded connections, may allow continued operation
when the valve is functioning only as part of the pipe. However, they cannot be
maintained in situ nor (usually) in a local workshop and normally have to be
returned to the manufacturer for any significant maintenance.

7.3. Hard Metal-seated Ball Valves

If hard metal-seated ball valves are specified, an all-welded body construction should not be
used.
Hard metal-seated valves are more likely to suffer problems during the factory
acceptance test than soft-seated valves. Any such problems may involve the
necessity of cutting open the valve body welds, and this can add significantly to the
delivery time.

8. Isolation

CRT-AK-62-01 should be referred to for the general case. Aspects of particular

importance to pipeline valves are emphasized here. CRT-AK-62-01 should be

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referred to for the characteristics and service suitability of the different valve types
referred to.

8.1. Terminology

8.1.1. Double-isolation and Double-block and Bleed

There is much confusion over terminology, particularly the term “double-block and
bleed valve” As used in International Standards Organization (ISO) 14313
(American Petroleum Institute [API] 6D), this relates to blocking of two opposing
sources of flow and pressure (flow/pressure) and being able to vent the space (i.e.,
the valve cavity) between them.
Any trunnion-mounted ball valve or expanding-type gate valve and most slab-type
gate valves can offer this capability in standard form, and it is not addressed further
here.
A more frequent requirement in pipeline practice is a double-block isolation of
equipment from a single source of flow/pressure (for the purpose of breaking
containment using two valves (or a single valve incorporating two isolations) with a
vent between them. ISO 14313 (API 6D) does not specifically address this at present
although test protocols for single valves that incorporate such a facility are
included. A valve offering this feature is termed a “double-isolation valve” or
“double-isolation and bleed valve” to avoid confusion.

8.1.2. Positive and Passive Isolation

It is necessary to distinguish between those valves that rely primarily on the
presence of differential pressure to affect a seal (trunnion-mounted ball, slab-type
gate) and those where the sealing force is applied mechanically as part of valve
operation (expanding-type gate valve). These are referred to as “passive isolation”
and “positive isolation,” respectively. The lubricated balanced plug valve probably
falls somewhere between the two but is assumed to be “passive” here. See CRT-AK-
62-01.

8.2. Positive versus Passive Isolation (See CRT-AK-62-01)

The theoretical advantage of valves that make a “positive” isolation is that they
maintain shutoff tightness regardless of the presence or absence of a pressure
differential and are not sensitive to the speed with which a pressure differential is
established. In practice, this depends on such factors as how well seating surfaces
are preserved.
In all cases, the operating force requirements (size for size) of “positive” isolation
valves is greater than comparable “passive” isolation valves – a significant
consideration as size and pressure increase. By far, the majority of isolation valves
in pipeline service (with BPXA and other operators) are “passive” type.

8.3. Double-block Isolation (See CRT-AK-62-01)

a. If double-block isolation is required by the isolation philosophy (e.g., before opening
pig launchers/receivers), it should be achieved in one of the following three ways:
1. Two single-seated valves in series with a vent connection from the connecting pipe.
All block valve types may be used in this arrangement.
2. An integral manifold block incorporating two isolating valves and a vent valve.
These are available for several valve types, notably ball and plug. Two valve
manifolds in large sizes are impractical because of the high mass of the body/block.

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Such a manifold may incorporate valves as described in item 3 below to provide

additional security.
3. A single double-isolation and bleed valve having two independent seats sealing in the
same direction and a vent from the body cavity between the seats.
This feature may be provided in one direction only or in both directions. In all
cases, it should be possible to vent the cavity between the sealing surfaces through a
bleed connection provided in the valve body.
b. In all arrangements, the vent (bleed) valve and pipe work should be of sufficient size
to carry away anticipated leakage past the upstream valve or seat without incurring a
pressure rise in the body cavity (especially important in gas service).
c. This connection should be provided with a double-block and bleed valve
arrangement where access may be required in service (e.g., for hot-oil flushing of
leaking valves).
There may be a preference for two separate valves for double-block isolation in
some Business Units or regulatory environments.

8.4. Double-block Isolation Using a Single Valve

See CRT-AK-62-01 for a description of the alternatives and their respective merits.
Note in particular the comments regarding the different designs of slab-type gate
valves. In all cases where this arrangement is contemplated, the manufacturer
should be required to confirm suitability, and specialist advice should be sought.
While there may be no practical difference between the isolation integrity of a
“double-isolation and bleed valve” and two valves in series, in shutdown
applications the two valve arrangement would offer a theoretical increase in
reliability of closure and, with soft-seated valves, the two valve arrangement might
offer reduced risk of sustaining simultaneous damage to both seats.
a. Double-piston seats (DPSs) should not be specified in ball valves above Class 1500
rating.
DPSs present a difficult design/manufacturing problem at high pressure.
b. If possible, and particularly on liquid systems, only the second seat (in the isolation
direction) should be of double-piston design.
The DPS design relies on the difference in annular area between the outer and inner
seat to body seals and the seat to ball seal that is located diametrically between
them. This limits the freedom available to the designer; therefore, care must be
taken to ensure that the normal seating function (particularly of metal-seated ball
valves) is not compromized. A solution to the latter problem is to make only the
second seat (in the isolation direction) a double-piston design. Although this makes
the valves directional, it has the additional advantage of allowing body cavity
overpressure to be relieved into the pipe through the first seat and avoids the
necessity for an external-pressure relief valve.
c. DPS designs that rely on a single, large-section O-ring to provide the differential
annular areas should be avoided, particularly in gas service.
The large-size O-ring is vulnerable to explosive decompression damage.
d. Arrangements involving two back-to-back lip seals with the open ends facing each
other should be avoided.
These can trap high-pressure fluid between the seals.

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8.5. Pig Launcher/Receiver Isolation

a. Valves isolating receivers (and launchers that may be reverse pigged) should be able
to withstand debris being pushed through while maintaining good isolation
capability. Valves should be tungsten carbide-coated slab gate valves or ball valves.
Soft-seated ball valves have consistently demonstrated their inability to cope with
this service. Tungsten carbide-coated through conduit slab gate valves are the most
appropriate choice if significant debris are anticipated.
Tungsten carbide-coated ball valves cope with receiver service; however, under
certain operating conditions in gas service, they can suffer from excessive leakage
when two are provided in series, owing to the fact that the seat may not see a
sufficient pressure differential to energize it onto the ball. In such cases, the
blowdown sequence should be to depressurize the pig trap first, then vent the space
between the two valves.
The action of the gates of expanding gate valves can trap debris between the gate
and seat so that they are less tolerant of dirty service than valves where the
obturator slides over the seats.
b. For launcher isolation or if pigging is infrequent, tungsten carbide-coated expanding-
type gate valves, which offer a positive isolation regardless of line pressure, should
be used.
1. These valves may be specified as “double expanding” (i.e., expanding against the
seats and isolating the body cavity from the pipe in both fully closed and fully open
position) and should be “bidirectional.”
2. For clean service, versions with electroless nickel plated (ENP) gates and seats should
be suitable as should slab gate valves with ENP gates and seats incorporating a
polymer seal ring.
3. Soft-seated ball valves should not be used for pig trap isolation.
Electroless nickel-plated (ENP) gates may be adequate in the case of launcher
valves on clean oil,, etc. service.
At least one valve manufacturer offers a modified ball valve having a side-entry
point that allows the insertion and removal of pigs. While this may offer some
operational convenience, there is only a single isolation between the operator and
the process; therefore, the valve cannot be used on a live system unless additional
isolating valves are provided on either side.
c. Auxiliary valves such as kicker valves and drain valves should be in accordance with
the recommendations of CRT-AK-62-01.

9. Shutdown Valves (ESD, SSIV, and HIPPS)

9.1. Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Valves

Refer to CRT-AK-62-01 for the general requirements for shutdown valves and their
actuators.

9.1.1. Valve Choice

Emergency shutdown (ESD) valves that isolate facilities from pipelines or offshore risers
should be trunnion-mounted ball or slab-type gate valves fitted with a fail-closed actuator.
Expanding-type gate valves and wedge-type gate valves are unsuited to shutdown
service because of the high-operating force requirements at the beginning and end
of the operating stroke.

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9.1.2. Valve Seats

a. Soft-seated ball valves may be used but, if sand, pipe scale, or corrosion product is
likely, or the valves have to pass pigs, hard-coated metal-seated valves should be
used.
b. Import pipelines and risers shall be fitted with metal-seated valves unless the product
is known to be thoroughly clean, and pigging is infrequent or absent.
A high degree of seat-leak tightness in service is not generally required, and
although the “as-constructed” leak rate of metal-seated valves is usually worse than
that of soft-seated valves, it is likely to be maintained without significant
deterioration in adverse conditions. If soft-seated valves can be justified (such as in
export or sales pipelines), some sort of seat protection should be provided during
such operations as line clearing and dewatering.

9.1.3. Double-Piston-type Seats (Ball Valves)

Only the facility-side (inboard) seat of ball valves should have double-piston-type seats.
Ball valves having double-piston-type seats are sometimes used to provide two seals
in series. Restricting this feature to the inboard seat only gives some additional
security without degrading the performance of the main (outboard) seat. It also
preserves automatic venting of cavity overpressure into the pipeline via the
outboard seat.

9.1.4. Seat-sealant Injection Fittings

ESD ball valves should not be fitted with seat-sealant injection facilities.
The provision of arrangements for hot-oil flushing the seats of soft-seated ball
valves may, however, be considered.
Sealant injection is ineffective (and usually unnecessary) in the case of metal-seated
valves and is never used post-ESD in the case of soft-seated valves.

9.1.5. Drain and Vent Connections

If drain and vent connections are provided on these and other important valves (e.g., pig trap
isolators), they should be fitted with a double-block and bleed valve arrangement.
This permits the valve cavity to be accessed with the system pressurized should the
need arise (e.g., for hot-oil flushing to get a jammed seat to move).

9.1.6. Gate Valves

Slab-type gate valves should be used if their height can be accommodated.
Slab-type gate valves have many advantages when used in shutdown service (see
clause 9.3 about high-integrity pressure protection system [HIPPS] valves, below).

9.1.7. Bypasses
a. Emergency shutdown valves should not normally be bypassed.
b. If this is unavoidable the bypass should incorporate a “fail closed” valve that is also
part of the ESD system.

9.2. Subsea Isolation (SSI) Valves

Not Applicable to BPXA.

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9.3. High-integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) Valves

Refer to CRT-AK-62-01 for the general requirements for HIPPS valves and their
actuators.

9.3.1. General
These valves should be used as the final part of an instrumented system intended to prevent an
unacceptably high pressure occurring downstream.

9.3.2. Actuators
a. HIPPS valves should be arranged to fail closed.
b. Spring/hydraulic actuators should normally be used for their operation.

9.3.3. Closure Speed

a. Closure times should be maximized.
b. If closure times have to be short, tests shall be undertaken to verify suitability of
furnished valves (see clause 9.4, below).
Required closure speed depends on the closed-in volume downstream and the
working fluid (e.g., if there is a long gas pipeline downstream, closure times can
also be long).

9.3.4. HIPPS Characteristics

HIPPS applications have the following characteristics:
• High pressure always available at time of closure (may not be true of test
closures).
• Low-differential pressure during closure.
• High-differential pressure after closure.
• Requirement for periodic closure (or partial closure) testing and seat leakage
testing.
• Fast closure (usually).

9.3.5. Differential Pressure

The first two characteristics in clause 9.3.4 make for particularly benign operating conditions,
and the temptation to specify an unfeasibly high-differential pressure during closure should be
resisted.
Designers of slab-type gate valves can utilize the high-internal pressure to close the
valve by designing the valve stem as a piston. This means that the closure spring is
only necessary during operations at very low or zero pressure and increases
reliability of closure.

9.3.6. Valve Types

a. Hard metal-seated slab-type gate valves and trunnion-mounted ball valves should be
used if pigging is required.
b. If pigging is not a requirement, reduced-bore gate valves, ball valves, or axial-flow
globe valves (“Mokveld”-type) should be used.
Reduced-bore gate or ball valves reduce weight, cost, closure time, and operating
forces. The obturator travel of axial-flow globe valves is only about one-fourth to
one-third that of ball or gate valves, and there is no sliding contact between the
obturator and seat, so closure times can be extremely short.

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9.4. Speed of Operation

9.4.1. Rate of Closure

Normal maximum closure speed is 25 millimeters (mm) (1 inch) of linear obturator travel per
second. If closure speeds are faster than this, acceptable prior history or test experience should
be obtained.
This is a good rule of thumb that may be used to determine normal closure speed of
hard metal-seated valves (for ball valves, the linear distance traveled is πD/4 (where
D = ball diameter).
There is a direct inverse relationship between obturator-to-seat contact pressure
and closing speed, which becomes particularly important in the case of HIPPS
service where high pressure is often combined with fast closure.

9.4.2. Abrasion Testing

If fast closure is required and a manufacturer does not have directly comparable and thoroughly
tested experience of the material/load/speed/operating environment combination proposed for
metal-seated valves, pin and disk abrasion testing should be commissioned from an appropriate
laboratory.
When contact pressure or closing speed, or the combination of the two, becomes
excessive, breakdown of the seating surfaces occurs – sometimes during a single
operation. This is a particular risk for HIPPS applications.

9.4.3. Hydraulic Damping

A form of hydraulic or other damping should be installed at the end of travel for valves that
require fast closure times.
This is best arranged as an integral part of the piston/cylinder design.
Ai- actuated valves can open very quickly once the obturator has “broken out” from
the seat.

9.5. Testing

9.5.1. Closure Testing

a. Shutdown valves should be periodically closure tested by instigating a partial or full
closure.
b. Complete valve closure should be carried out from time to time in order to
demonstrate that this can be achieved and to facilitate seat leak testing. The required
frequency of full-closure testing depends on the reliability and safety integrity level
(SIL) that is required to be achieved.
c. The requirements of regulatory authorities may also have an influence.
Partial closure testing can be advantageous in that it demonstrates that all parts of
the control and actuation system are functioning correctly without interrupting
production. Test facilities are easy to incorporate into actuator control systems at
the design stage; in addition, there are commercially available add-on devices for
valves already in service.
The frequency of testing, to some extent, determines the level of reliability that can
be claimed, but it is necessary to balance the desire for high reliability against the
detrimental effects (wear,, etc.) of too high a closure test frequency. A test frequency
of two times per year is usually defendable, and frequencies greater than four times
per year should be resisted.

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9.5.2. Seat Leak Testing

a. Periodic seat leak tests should be performed on HIPPS valves.
b. Periodic seat leak tests should be performed on import/export isolation valves.
It is important that the system design makes provision for these. There are only two
possible methods – monitoring pressure decay from or pressure rise of a known
closed volume over time and acoustic leak detection. The former method assumes
that all other isolations (such as block valves) of the closed volume are 100%
effective. Acoustic leak testing is less accurate (order of magnitude), but it is
extremely quick in comparison and very useful for establishing trends. Ideally,
initial readings should be performed in conjunction with a pressure decay-type test
(see CRT-AK-62-01 for more details).

9.5.3. Leak Rates

Acceptable leak rates should be determined, taking into account the requirements of the
application, and may vary widely.
For a HIPPS valve protecting a small volume in liquid service, a high degree of
closure tightness is necessary while a similar system protecting a long gas pipeline
has much greater tolerance of through seat leakage. In the case of emergency
shutdown valves protecting facilities, it is often possible to tolerate a significant
through-seat leakage that is usually limited only by the need to limit the hazard
(e.g., fire) to the magnitude assumed in the safety case.

10. Testing (General)

At a minimum, all pipeline valves shall be tested in accordance with ISO 14313 (API 6D).

10.1. Recommended Factory Acceptance Tests

a. The following tests should be conducted for all valve types:
1. Hydrostatic shell test at 1.5 x rated pressure.
2. Hydrostatic seat leak test at 1.1 x rated pressure.
3. Low-pressure gas seat test (e.g., ISO 14313 [API 6D] C3.3).
b. Gate valves having a back seat should be subjected to a hydrostatic back-seat test.
This test should be conducted without the presence of stem seals or gland packing,
and it may be convenient to perform as a “type” test.
c. If valves are being used on gas service, a representative sample (e.g., 10%) of each
unique type, size, and pressure rating should be subjected to a gas:
1. Shell test at rated pressure.
2. Seat leak test at rated pressure.
High-pressure gas tests require large volumes of nitrogen or air and, if test times
are not to be unacceptably long, a means of compressing it reasonably quickly.
Safety considerations also demand test pits or concrete walled enclosures. Some
manufacturers have such provisions but not all. High-pressure gas seat testing can
therefore be expensive and time-consuming. The larger the valve, the more
expensive and time-consuming it becomes.
d. If valves having a sealed body cavity are being used on liquid service and not buried
or located subsea, a representative sample (e.g., 10%) of each unique type, size, and
pressure rating should be subjected to a cavity relief test (e.g., ISO 14313 [API 6D]
C.7).

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e. For valves with joints perpendicular to the pipe axis (e.g., split body [end entry] ball
valves), at least one such valve of each unique material/size/rating on the order
should be tested with blank flanges or welded-end caps, etc. to demonstrate the
adequacy of the specified bolt torque.
It is common practice for manufacturers to hydrotest valves using end closures that
react to the longitudinal force resulting from pressure against an external structure.
This means that the body joints never see any longitudinal force during testing, so if
the bolt preload is inadequate, this only becomes apparent during the hydrotest of
the piping system.
f. Soft-seated valves should be type tested during the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
(one per size/rating) to demonstrate that there is good conduction between the
ball/plug/stem and the valve body.
g. If valves will definitely be subjected to significant low temperature that is not a
transient condition and are then required to seal, a type test such as that
recommended by Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association
(EEMUA) Publication 192 should be considered.
h. Actual service temperatures should first be accurately determined (i.e., not the impact
test temperature of the body material!).
Such tests are time-consuming and expensive so should not be resorted to lightly.
There should be no need to test if temperatures are above –10 °C (14 °F).
Valve seat leakage normally increases at low temperature, so this should be allowed
for.

10.2. Recommended Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Seat Leak Rates

The following leak rates should be used in procurement specifications as FAT acceptance
criteria:

Table 1 Seat Leak Test Acceptance Standards (ISO 5208)

Valve Type and Maximum Leak Rate

Test
Gate Ball Plug Check
Hydrostatic B Soft seat: A A Soft seat: A
Metal seat: C Metal seat: D
Low- Slab-type: C Soft seat: A A Soft seat: B
pressure gas Expanding-type: B Metal seat: C Metal seat: 3 x D
Wedge-type: B
Soft seat: A
High- Slab-type: C Soft seat: B B Soft seat: B
pressure gas Expanding-type: 5 x low pressure leak Metal seat: D Metal seat: 3 x
(1) rate low pressure leak
Wedge-type: by agreement w/supplier rate
(1) Note that these acceptance standards are arbitrarily chosen and may require adjustment to suit
particular circumstances. For most applications, leak rates up to Rate D would be acceptable
but might indicate quality problems in certain valve types.

Local experience should be taken into account if it indicates that alternative leak
rates are appropriate or acceptable.
The leak rates for metal-seated valves are achievable by technically competent and
experienced suppliers. Lower leak rates may be achievable in some cases, but this
might be at the expense of considerable time and effort, so the temptation to specify
them should be resisted in all but extreme cases (e.g., possibly some HIPPS
applications). Although leak rates for some types of hard metal-seated valves are

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higher than for soft-seated valves, they are less susceptible to damage in service and
“as new” shutoff integrity is more likely to be preserved.

10.3. Fire Safety

Soft-seated block valves, or valves incorporating soft seals, that are not buried or located subsea
and which are used in hazardous areas where they could be subjected to fire, shall be of a fire-
type tested design.
Valves incorporating soft seals usually require additional graphite “fire seals.”
These are best avoided in buried or subsea valves since, in combination with water,
they can promote local corrosion of carbon steel.

11. Subsea Applications

Not applicable to BPXA.

12. Seals and Sealing Materials

See CRT-AK-62-01, which addresses seals and sealing materials in detail.

12.1. General
a. The following seal types are not appropriate for pipeline valves:
1. Flat sheet gaskets.
2. Diaphragm seals.
3. Thrust seals.
4. Metal bellows.
b. Packed glands should not be used in subsea service.
c. Pressure-seal bonnet joints should not be used in gas service.

12.2. Elastomer O-ring Seals

12.2.1. Diametral Clearance

Diametral clearance should be minimized if extrusion is to be avoided.

12.2.2. O-rings
If male/female cylindrical joints are being sealed at pressure ratings greater than Class 600,
O-rings should be provided with a hard plastic anti-extrusion ring (filled PTFE or PEEK)
having scarf-cut joints.
Diametral expansion of pipeline valves under pressure can be significant and lead
to extrusion of O-rings.

12.2.3. Minimum Temperature

An accurate assessment of minimum temperature (and its duration) should be obtained.
The upper temperature limits of most pipeline applications present no problems for
these elastomers but lower temperature limits in gas service may.
If the minimum design temperature of a gas application is specified as being equal
to the pipe or valve material impact test temperature (e.g., –46 °C[–51 °F]) or the
lowest transient temperature expected to occur across a closing ESD valve, this is
likely to make elastomer selection difficult. Such practices should be avoided, or it

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might be impossible to find an elastomer that accommodates the low temperature

while still offering adequate resistance to explosive decompression damage.

12.2.4. Elastomer Selection

In gas service at Class 600 rating and above, elastomers should be selected primarily on the
basis of resistance to explosive decompression.
When balancing explosive decompression resistance against low-temperature
resistance, it is usually preferable to err toward the former at the expense of the
latter.
This is because material manufacturers’ specifications of minimum temperature are
usually conservative and because transient exposure to temperatures below this
limit is rarely detrimental.

12.2.5. O-ring Cross Section

O-ring (and other elastomer seal) cross section sizes should not exceed 6 mm (1/4 inch).
If O-rings or other elastomer seals have section diameters above approximately
6 mm (1/4 inch), it is very difficult to prevent explosive decompression damage,
regardless of material formulation, because of inherent manufacturing defects in the
material.

12.3. Polymer Lip Seals

12.3.1. Temperature Criteria

At temperatures below –30 °C (–22 °F) in high-pressure gas service, polymer lip seals should
be chosen in preference to O-rings.

12.3.2. Differential Pressure in the Reverse Direction

If there is a possibility that a lip seal may be subjected to a differential pressure in the reverse
direction (e.g., during opening of a trunnion-mounted ball valve in gas blowdown service), the
lip seal should be provided with a PEEK or metal support ring to prevent crushing.

12.4. Metal Seals and Gaskets

Metal seals are frequently used in static joints in the form of ring-type gaskets,
pressure energized gaskets (e.g., Techlok, Graylok type), or filled, spiral-wound
gaskets. All have their uses although the first two types are normally reserved for
high-operating pressure applications (Class 900 and higher ratings). Techlok-type
gaskets tend not to leak with increasing internal pressure but continue to seal until
catastrophic failure occurs.
Metal O-rings are used not only as static seal but also may be used in dynamic (or
semidynamic) arrangements. The most common form of dynamic metal seal is a
form of lip seal (used as stem seals in subsea valves but rarely elsewhere because of
their high cost). Material is usually silver-plated nickel alloy, and the mating
surface is usually carbide-coated to preclude galling.
In all cases of metallic seals, material selections and combinations are critical. This
is particularly true if joints are made up subsea. The potential for galvanic
corrosion can often be reduced by overlaying gasket grooves. Generally, the groove
surface should be harder than the gasket.

12.5. Gland Packings

a. Packed glands should not be the first choice for pipeline valves if self-energized or
pressure-energized seal arrangements are feasible.

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Gland packings traditionally suffer from relaxation of the load over time, leading
eventually to leakage in service.
b. If graphite-packed glands are chosen, the following points should be observed:
1. Excessively long packing chambers should be avoided.
2. If long packing chambers cannot be avoided (e.g., in existing valves), replacement of
superfluous packing by a rigid spacer should be considered.
3. The use of packing sets comprising specially shaped packing rings employing an
element of pressure energization, sets containing variable density rings, or techniques
such as live (spring) loading should be considered to reduce the effect of relaxation in
service.
4. Valve stem finish, straightness, and run out, as well as with packing chamber finish,
gland, and stem clearances affect sealing efficiency and should be carefully
controlled.
Appropriate requirements are included in SPC-AK-43-351.
5. The use of split packing arrangements with lantern rings should be avoided.
Valves packed with flexible graphite do not require a lantern ring, and users
intending to specify such an arrangement in order to facilitate later injection of
emergency gland sealant should consider whether the specification of a high-
integrity design single-packing set or self/pressure energized seals would be more
likely to result in greater overall integrity.
6. If an intermediate lantern ring and split packing cannot be avoided, the primary
packing set should be the lower of the two, and the upper packing set should be of
minimum length (ideally one graphite ring with top and bottom antiextrusion rings).

13. Design and Stress/Strain Considerations

13.1. Strain-limited Design

For valves to function correctly (e.g., open, close, seal), deflections and deformations should be
restricted. This means that valve designs should normally be strain limited rather than stress
limited and should remain well within elastic limits.
In most cases, this approach ensures that stresses are also maintained within
allowable limits. This is an important distinction between valves and vessels where
deformation under load is frequently not a problem.

13.1.1. Conservative Design

A conservative design approach for valves shall be taken.
Commonly used standards cannot always be relied upon to provide this. For
example, the most commonly used standard for pipeline valves (ISO 14313
[API 6D]) contains no design requirements at all at the time of writing this
document, and API 6A, which is frequently used for design pressures beyond the
standard ASME Class ratings, allows design stresses that may create problems with
certain materials. In particular, duplex alloys are known to experience “cold creep”
at high-stress levels. This phenomenon results in ongoing permanent strain and is
exacerbated by course-grained material (castings).
Design in accordance with a recognized pressure vessel code normally ensures
adequacy for larger valves, but in the case of smaller sizes, adherence to the wall
thickness rules of ASME B16.34 will provide additional security.

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13.2. Bolt Preloading

a. If valves employ bolted joints, bolt preload should be sufficient to prevent leakage in
service.
b. Bolts should always be preloaded to at least 50% of their yield stress.
c. At least one valve of each unique material/size/rating on the order should be tested
with blank flanges or welded-end caps, etc. to demonstrate the adequacy of the
specified bolt torque.
Of particular concern are split-body (end-entry) ball valves that have joints
perpendicular to the pipe axis. It is common practice for manufacturers to hydrotest
such valves using end closures that react to the longitudinal force resulting from
pressure against an external structure. This means that the body joints never see any
longitudinal force on test so that, if bolt preload is inadequate, this only becomes
apparent during the hydrotest of the pipeline!

13.3. Drive Train Requirements

The following three requirements for stress limits for valve stems and other components of the
drive train shall be adhered to:
a. The stresses under normal operating conditions (i.e., when the valve is being
opened/closed against design differential pressure) should remain within design
allowable limits, bearing in mind that operating torque/force may increase after some
years in service.
b. The actuator should have sufficient margin to be able to operate the valve acceptably
throughout its life.
c. The valve stem and other drive-train components should be capable of withstanding
the maximum output of the actuator (e.g., if operating against a jammed valve)
without sustaining permanent deformation.
SPC-AK-43-351 incorporates appropriate requirements.

14. Check Valves

14.1. General
CRT-AK-62-01 includes detailed discussion of the different types of check valves and should
be consulted when making selections. The following points are included here for ease of
reference:

14.2. Valve Selection

If pigging is not a requirement, the following alternatives, listed in the order of their dynamic
“antislam” performance, should be considered:
a. Axial flow and nozzle check.
b. Dual plate check.
c. Tilting disk check.
d. Swing check with seat inclined to vertical and a maximum angle between disk and
seat of 65/70 degrees.
The only check valves capable of passing pigs are special types of swing checks with
contoured clappers/disks. These do not generally have ideal dynamic
characteristics. The more closely the position of the valve closure member follows a

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declining flow rate, the less likely it is to cause “surge” as a result of closure after a
reverse flow has been established.

14.3. Unstable Flow

Axial flow nozzle check designs should be used at compressor outlets.
Tilting disk and duo-disk valves are better at coping with unstable flows than
standard swing checks.

14.4. Reciprocating Pump Outlet Valves

For applications involving pulsating flow, such as may occur downstream of reciprocating
pumps, piston-type lift checks should be used.

14.5. Location
Check valves should be mounted at least three pipe diameters downstream of pipe fittings (e.g.,
elbows, valves).

14.6. Hinge Pin and Bearing Design

Check valves should be selected such that during under normal flow conditions, they are fully
open.
If swing check valves are used in pigged pipelines, this is not usually possible. In
such cases, it is important to ensure that hinge pin and bearing design is adequate
for the constant movement that may result.

14.7. Wafer-type Check Valves

a. Duo-disk, wafer-type valves should be in through-drilled-lug or double-flange form
to reduce vulnerability of bolting during a fire.
b. Bolting for lugged wafer designs should be thermally compatible with the valve body
material and connected flanges.
Duo-disk, wafer-type valves make extremely economical use of expensive material.

14.8. Vertical Flow Valve Location

a. Lift-type and swing-type check valves should not be fitted in vertical pipes.
b. No check valves except axial-flow-type valves shall be mounted in a pipe with flow
vertically downward.
c. If a vertical location is contemplated, the supplier should be fully appraised.

15. Buried Valves

Not applicable to BPXA. Below-grade valves shall be located in vaults.

16. Auxiliary Connections

16.1. General
Breaches of the pressure-retaining boundary such as auxiliary bleed/vent/drain points should be
minimized.

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16.2. Taper Threaded Plugs, etc.

a. Taper-threaded valve body plugs and needle-type “vent” plugs should be avoided in
gas and other hazardous service.
These are a common cause of leakage incidents on gas systems. This is usually due
to a mixture of crevice, etc. corrosion and poor mechanical strength (e.g., excessive
PTFE tape application).
b. If used, threaded plugs should be sealed with an anaerobic compound instead of
PTFE tape.

16.3. Sealing of Penetrations

a. If connections such as those described in 16.2 are required for FAT, but not
necessary for operational reasons, they shall be permanently sealed by a blank flange
or seal-welded plug.
b. Exposed threads on seal-welded plugs shall be ground off and welding should be
performed in accordance with a qualified procedure involving at least two weld runs
and include hardness testing.
Depending on the service/test conditions, the possibility of crevice corrosion of the
internal threads needs to be considered.

16.4. Auxiliary Connections

a. Auxiliary connections intended for operational use shall be butt-welded or socket-
welded to the valve body and fitted with an appropriate isolation valve.
b. If access may be required from outside (e.g., to flush with hot oil,, etc.), a double-
block and bleed isolation valve arrangement should be provided.

16.5. Body Cavity Pressure Relief Valves

a. If expanding-type gate valves in liquid service are fitted with external body cavity
pressure relief valves, these shall be set, and certified types and should be isolated
from the body by a block and bleed arrangement to facilitate periodic
testing/maintenance of the pressure relief valve (PRV).
The block and bleed arrangement should meet the requirements of the applicable
isolation philosophy.
b. The set pressure should be between 1.1 and 1.33 times the main valve rated pressure
at operating temperature.
This gives some margin for error on the hydrotest pressure of 1.5 times the rated
pressure.

17. Sealant Injection

17.1. General
Seat sealant injection can sometimes assist in achieving a single isolation with a soft-seated ball
valve, but this operational advantage should be carefully weighed against the number of
additional potential leak paths being introduced. Seat sealant injection is ineffective with metal-
seated ball valves.
There is no point in providing HIPPS and other emergency shutdown valves with
seat sealant injection facilities since they cannot be used in an emergency.

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17.2. Connections to the Valve Body

a. For Class 1500 and above, the connections to the valve body should be flanged or
butt-welded or socket-welded.
b. The seat sealant injection arrangement shall incorporate a check valve at the point of
entry to the valve body and another at the injection fitting.
c. Valves directly connected to import/export pipelines and other valves equal to or
greater than Class 1500 rating should be provided with an isolating needle valve
between the check valves, each with the outlet adjacent to the injection fitting.
d. The isolating block valve facilitates removal of the injection gun and isolation of the
injection fitting from the pipeline in the event of check valve failure.

17.3. Sealant Distribution Test

If seat sealant injection is used, a sealant distribution test should be carried out on a sample
valve as part of the FAT.

17.4. Stem Sealant Injection

a. Stem sealant injection may be used with self/pressure energized sealing systems.
Stem sealant injection facilities should not normally be provided for packed glands.
Stem sealant injection can be useful in permitting continued operation in the event
of a stem seal leak. The arrangement should incorporate two check valves as
described above for seat sealant injection.
In the case of packed glands, injection provision involves the insertion of a lantern
ring into the packing stack, which may reduce the efficiency of the packing and
increase the chance of leakage. For this reason, stem sealant injection is not
generally recommended for packed glands, unless great care is taken in design and
installation of the packing.
b. If used, the split packing arrangement should be in accordance with 12.5 above.

18. Actuation/Operation

18.1. Hand Operation

a. If valves are operated by hand via a gearbox (or subsea by ROV), the number of turns
required for an open/close operation should be ascertained since this can be a large
number in the case of pipeline valves – particularly at higher operating pressures.
b. If a large number of turns is required, an electric motor gear operator or portable
pneumatic or hydraulic wrenches should be fitted or provided. In the latter case, it is
important to ensure that the delivered torque does not exceed the capabilities of the
valve drive train.

18.2. Electric Motor Gear Operator

An electric motor gear operator should not be used for shutdown service.
This type of actuator generally provides slow operation (because of gear reduction).
Normally, a three-phase electrical supply is used; however, direct current (DC)
operators are also available. Electric actuators can be supplied with air motor
override devices in case of electrical power failure. They are normally supplied with
integral switchgear and position/limit switches. Torque switches are included for
valves that close on rising torque (e.g., wedge gate, expanding gate, globe type).
With valves that are closed on position (e.g., ball, slab gate), it is important to set

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the torque switch so as to avoid damaging the valve drive train. Diagnostic
capability comes as standard on the better actuators.

18.3. Hydraulic Actuators

18.3.1. Double-acting Piston Cylinder Arrangement

Double-acting piston cylinder actuators are suitable for on/off service, and accumulators may be
used to provide the stored energy for emergency closure.
Double-acting piston cylinder actuators are very compact (operating pressure
typically 200 bar) (2,900 pounds per square inch [psi]), but need external “power
packs” to provide a hydraulic fluid reservoir and a pump. Speed of operation is
dependent on the length of lines from the power pack (pump) and the restriction
orifice size. Fluid can be bypassed around the piston to avoid this. An
“electrohydraulic” actuator has the power pack mounted on or integral with the
cylinder as a single unit, requiring only an external source of electric power.

18.3.2. Spring to Close/Open

In the spring to close/open actuator, helical coil or disk springs may be used to provide closing
force/torque in one direction only, opposing the hydraulic cylinder/piston.
This type of actuator is usually large and heavier than double-acting type actuators,
but, like them, requires external “power packs.” They are the preferred choice for
larger-size or high-pressure shutdown valves. Partial closure test capability can be
built in or added on.

18.3.3. Gas over Oil

If gas is the working fluid, the gas over oil type of actuator may be used for shutdown valves.
The energy of the working fluid in a gas pipeline is captured (e.g., in a volume tank
via a check valve) and used to pressurize the hydraulic oil and provide the motive
force for this type of actuator (e.g., instead of a spring). The gas over oil actuators
can be bulky because of the size of the volume tank. Like electrohydraulic actuators,
they are often supplied as integral units for mounting on the valve. Partial closure
test capability can be built in or added on.

18.3.4. Double-acting Rotary Vane

Like the double-acting cylinder type, the double-acting rotary vane actuator requires an
accumulator system if it is to be used in shutdown valve service.
The hydraulic fluid is used to rotate vanes mounted on a central shaft within a
cylinder. These actuators have the advantage of being relatively compact, but are
suitable for quarter-turn applications only.

18.4. Pneumatic Actuators

18.4.1. General
Pneumatic actuators should not used with large and/or high-pressure valves.
They normally use a low-pressure compressed air supply (4 to 7 bar [60 to
100 psi]), and volume requirements can be extremely large for high-pressure
applications and large valves resulting in unacceptably large and heavy actuators.

18.4.2. Double-acting Piston Cylinder Arrangement

a. This type of actuator should not be used for shutdown service.

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b. This type actuator should not be used for gate valves.

It requires a 4 to 7 barg (60 to 100 psig) compressed air supply.

18.4.3. Spring to Close/Open

a. This type of actuator may be used for shutdown service.
A helical coil spring is used to provide closing force/torque in one direction only.
Partial closure test capability can be built in or added on. These actuators can
result in rapid opening of the valve after the obturator breaks free of the seat and
the resistive force disappears.
b. Should not be used with gate valves or high-pressure ball valves.
These actuators are usually even larger than double-acting pneumatic actuators.

18.5. Conversion of Linear to Rotary Motion

18.5.1. Scotch Yoke Mechanism

This device has an output torque/travel characteristic that closely mirrors the
resistive torque characteristic of a ball valve and, for this reason along with its
economy, has been widely used. There is always a potential side load on the valve
stem, and it is important to establish how this is dealt with, or stem seal failure may
result. The general standard of engineering and material selection within the
mechanism is also critical since high contact and sliding loads are generated. In
this design, the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are set parallel to the pipe axis.

18.5.2. Helical Splines

Helical splines are a unique feature of the “Dantorque” design and may be likened
to the mechanism of a child’s spinning top. Effectively, the piston rod slides down a
number of parallel-inclined planes to generate rotation of the mating female
component. Because of the number of “splines,” individual contact forces appear to
be well within the capacity of the materials used. An unusual feature of this design is
that, in some versions, the whole of the housing is pressurized, increasing the
potential for leakage. This type of actuator is very compact, with the cylinder
disposed perpendicular to the pipe axis.

18.5.3. Helical Grooves in a Cylinder

This is a unique feature of the ATC design. It operates in the same way as 18.5.2
above, but uses a conversion mechanism similar to the scotch yoke in 18.5.1 above.
It is a relatively novel design and claims great flexibility and compactness. The
cylinder is set perpendicular to the pipe axis.

18.5.4. Rack and Pinion

A geared rack attached to the piston or piston rod rotates a pinion attached to the
valve stem. Output torque is directly proportional to actuator piston thrust, which,
for a double-acting actuator, will be constant. Having two racks contacting both
sides of the pinion removes any side loading from the latter.

19. European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)

Not applicable to BPXA.

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20. Materials

20.1. General
a. Material test pieces should ideally be taken from the actual casting or forging or from
a direct prolongation of the piece having a thickness comparable to the thickest
section of the casting or forging and being heat treated with it.
b. If separate test pieces are used, they should not be less than two-thirds of the
thickness of the thickest section of the casting or forging, should be subject to the
same reduction/hot work, and should be heat treated with it.
Material properties of test pieces produced in accordance with some material
specifications can differ significantly from the properties of the actual components.
c. Materials should be selected such that galvanic corrosion between dissimilar
materials is avoided.
d. “Free cutting” (resulferized) steels should not be used for any purpose.
For general guidance on metallic and nonmetallic valve materials, refer to CRT-
AK-62-01. This includes information on pressure boundary (shell) materials; trim
materials; bolting; plating; hard coating; elastomer and polymeric materials;
graphite packing, seals, and material temperature limitations.

20.2. Material Composition of Welding End Pipeline Valves

The recommendations for the material composition (by ladle analysis) of carbon and carbon-
manganese steel weld-end valves provided in CRT-AK-62-01 should be replaced by the
following for pipeline valves:
a. Carbon content: 0.23% maximum (by weight)
b. Sulfur content: 0.035% maximum (by weight)*
c. Phosphorous content: 0.035% maximum (by weight)*
*0.005% maximum for sour service
d. Carbon equivalent (CE): 0.43% maximum (by weight)
e. where CE = C + (Mn/6) + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15
In order to facilitate field welding, it is necessary to limit carbon content.

20.3. Low Temperature Toughness

a. Steel, alloy steel, and duplex stainless-steel materials shall be impact-tested to
demonstrate adequate toughness at minimum design temperature, if required by any
of the following:
1. The material specification.
2. The piping design code.
3. The valve data sheet.
b. If required, impact testing shall be conducted on all shell components, bolting, and
drive-train components, including stem and closing element (e.g., ball, gate, plug)
made from materials that experience a ductile/brittle transition or significant
reduction in toughness at low temperatures.
c. Unless otherwise specified on the data sheet, the pipeline valve minimum design
temperature (TD), shall be -46 °C (-50 °F). Unless otherwise specified on the data
sheet, the test temperature shall be the lesser of 0 °C (32 °F) or the valve minimum
TD, or as required by the material specification.

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Criteria for Valves for Pipelines

d. Testing requirements and impact energies for carbon and low-alloy steels should be
in accordance with the material specification as a minimum. Impact energies of
duplex stainless steels shall be as follows:
1. Average = 60 Joules (43 ft-lb).
2. Minimum = 50 Joules (36 ft-lb).
The following minimum Charpy V-notch impact energy values are recommended:

Carbon and alloy steel:

Average (Joules) = [minimum specified yield (or 0,2% proof
strength (MN/m2)/10] +10

Individual (Joules) = 0,75 x Calculated Average Value

25% chromium and 22% chromium duplex stainless steel:

Average = 35 Joules
Minimum = 30 Joules

20.4. Corrosion and Corrosion Protection

a. Carbon steel and alloy steel pipeline valves greater than DN 100 (NPS 4) should be
provided with seat pockets overlaid with Inconel 625 or grade 309 austenitic stainless
steel.
b. Flange face grooves and other seal housings should be similarly overlaid with
Inconel 625.
Pipeline valves are sometimes subjected to prolonged exposure to test water or
other fluids that may result in galvanic corrosion of ball and slab gate valve seat
pockets, sealing areas, etc. prior to the valve entering service. Valves that
incorporate graphite “fire seals” are particularly vulnerable.

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Criteria for Valves for Pipelines

Bibliography

BP
[1] BP Exploration’s Elastomer Selection Guidelines.

[2] BP Technical Bulletin TB0005 Auxiliary Connections in Valve Bodies.

[3] BP Technical Bulletin TB0028 Avoiding Gas Decompression Damage of Rubber Seals.

Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA)

[4] EEMUA Publication 194 Guidelines for Materials Selection and Corrosion Control for Subsea Oil and
Gas Production Equipment.

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