Valves Section 7

Ball Valves

Ball Valves are used in many of the

processing industries. As shown in
Figure 7-8, a ball valve is similar to a plug
valve except the plug in a ball valve is
spherical instead of being tapered or
cylindrical. Like the lubricated plug
valves, these valves are quick opening.
They also provide a very tight closure on
viscous or hard to hold fluids. Ball valves
are non-sticking and pressure drop
through the valve is reduced to a
minimum due to the full pipe size opening
in the ball.
Ball valves are made in three general
patterns:

FIGURE 7-7 - PLUG VALVE DETAIL • Venturi port

• Full port
• Reduced port
The venturi port has a reduced diameter
venturi configuration. The full port valve has
an inside diameter equal to the inside
diameter of the pipe. The reduced port
generally involves one pipe size smaller than
the line size.

Butterfly Valves

Butterfly Valves are low pressure valves of

simple design, which are used to control and
regulate flow. They are characterized by fast
operation and low differential pressure drop.
They require only a quarter turn from closed
to full-open position. Butterfly valves are not
intended for pressure tight services. Rubber
seat butterfly valves are manufactured in a
wide range of sizes, from 2 inch diameter to
11 feet in diameter and more. However, in
industrial applications valves are usually
found in ranges from 2 to 24 inches.

FIGURE 7-8 - BALL VALVE DETAIL

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Section 7 Valves

FIGURE 7-9 - BUTTERFLY VALVE DETAIL

As shown in Figure 7-9, the butterfly valve consists of the valve body, shaft and butterfly disc, and
sealing gland. As shown in Figure 7-10, the valve design has been diversified by introducing
three different valve bodies without variations in the interaction between seat and disc. The
flanged butterfly valve has a short valve body and is flanged at both ends. If necessary, welding
ends, in lieu of flanges, can be provided. Butt welding of butterfly valves is not a standard
connecting method and is not desirable because of possible damage to the seating surfaces.
The lug-wafer butterfly valve has a shortened valve body with protruding lugs whose bolt circle
matches adjoining flanges.

FIGURE 7-10 - BUTTERFLY VALVE DESIGNS

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 Valves Section 7

Tapped holes can be provided and cap screws can be used to fasten the lugs individually to each
flange, thus permitting the valve to be used as a dead-end valve also. The wafer butterfly valve
consists of a short body like the lug wafer but without the lugs. This valve can be inserted and
centered between two adjoining flanges. Gaskets may be molded onto the body or may have to
be inserted for a satisfactory flanged joint.

Most butterfly valve component parts are of metallic materials with stem and disc often furnished
in a higher alloy material than that of the body because of service requirements. The valve body,
which is also the valve seat when the butterfly disc reaches a perpendicular position, is often lined
with rubber or plastic materials to provide a pressure tight shutoff. When the stem protrudes
through the valve body, a gland sealing is provided to eliminate fluid loss at this point.

Safety and Relief Valves

Safety and Relief Valves are mounted directly on piping, pressure vessels, and equipment that is
subject to potentially dangerous overpressure in case controls malfunction. They are set to open
automatically at a set pressure to relieve system pressure before it gets high enough to cause
damage. A typical safety relief valve is shown in Figure 7-11.
Safety Valves are also known as pop safety
valves. They are a spring loaded, quick
opening, full flow valve for systems containing
pressurized, compressible fluids such as
steam, air, or other vapors or gases.
Manufacturers set and test each safety valve
in accordance with code requirements, then
seal the set pressure and overpressure
adjusting devices. The set pressure is
adjusted by increasing or decreasing the
spring compression. Spring pressure holds
the valve closed until the set pressure is
reached, at which time the system fluid
pressure forces the valve completely open.
Spring pressure forces the valve disc back to
the seat when the fluid pressure drops slightly
below the opening pressure. The difference
between the opening (set) pressure and the
closing (resetting) pressure is called
blowdown. The blowdown can be adjusted by
an adjusting ring that forms a chamber
(huddling chamber) below the disc. The valve
is usually equipped with a hand lever so that it
can be tested periodically. Hand levers are
prohibited, however, for noxious and
flammable gas applications.

FIGURE 7-11 - SAFETY RELIEF VALVE DETAIL

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Section 7 Valves

Relief Valves are similar to a safety valve but open only slightly at set pressure. Instead of
immediate full opening, they open wider if the pressure increases above the set pressure. Relief
valves are normally used for liquids, such as water or oil, where release of a small volume will
rapidly lower the pressure.

Safety Relief Valves combine the features of a relief valve and a safety valve. The valve will
crack open to slowly relieve built-up pressure or pop fully open in case of rapid pressure
increases. The valves are suitable for liquid and saturated steam service. A typical application is
in hot water heating systems, where steam might be generated by uncontrolled heating. The
diameter of the piping on the downstream side of the relief valve is always larger than the piping
on the upstream side.

Depending on client requirements, all safety and relief valves are required to be tested 30-90
days prior to start-up to verify valve set points.

Rupture Discs

A cruder and much less costly device than spring loaded or electrically actuated safety valves for
pressure relief is the rupture disc.
A rupture disc is a pre-bulged membrane made of various metals, depending on the service for
which it is intended. A disc may be used instead of a safety valve or installed ahead of a safety
valve if:
• The disc has ample capacity
• The maximum pressure rating of the disc does not exceed maximum allowable pressure of
the system being protected
• The area of the disc is at least equal to the area of an equivalent relief valve
• The disc is guaranteed to burst within plus/minus 15 percent of its specified bursting pressure.
In most cases where a safety valve is used in conjunction with a rupture disc, the rupture disc is
set to relieve at 20 percent above the safety valve. The safety valve will take care of all normal
over pressurization, while the rupture disc will take care of excessive pressures and will protect
the system in case of safety valve failure.

VALVE STEM VARIATIONS

The stem is the link that connects the valve operator or actuator to the sealing disc, plug, or ball.
A particular motion (travel) is necessary to open and close a valve. Linear motion is needed for
gate and globe valves, whereas rotary motion is needed for ball, plug, and butterfly valves.
Stems should always be oriented between the horizontal and vertical position.

Types of stems for gate, globe and angle valves are shown in Figure 7-12 and are summarized
as follows:

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 Valves Section 7

Rising Stem with Outside Screw and Yoke (OS&Y)

In this arrangement the outermost part of the stem is threaded. The stem is smooth along the
part that is inside the valve, and is sealed (packed) so that the threads are isolated from the fluids
that are in the line. Two styles are available; one having the handwheel fixed to the stem so that
they rise together, and the other having a threaded sleeve that causes the stem to rise through
the handwheel. In both styles, the position of the stem indicates the position of the valve disc.

Rising Stem with Inside Screw

This is the simplest and most common

stem arrangement for smaller size low
to moderate pressure gate, globe, and
angle valves. The threaded part of the
stem is inside the valve body and the
stem packing is along the smooth part
that projects to the outside. The
threads are thus in contact with the
process fluid inside the valve. The stem
and handwheel rise when the valve is
opened, thus indicating the position of
the valve disc. Only the smooth end of
the stem is exposed to the atmosphere.

Non-rising Stem with Inside Screw

In this arrangement the stem turns, but
does not rise when the valve is opened.
Instead, the disc travels up and down
the stem threads when the stem is
turned to open and close the valve.
The stem threads are exposed to the
FIGURE 7-12 - GATE, GLOBE, AND ANGLE VALVE
line fluid; thus limiting use to fluids that
STEM VARIATIONS
will not corrode or erode the threads or
leave deposits on them.

Sliding Stem
This stem does not turn. Instead, it is moved straight out or in to open and close the valve. The
most common application is for handlever operated quick opening valves. Other applications are
in control valves that are operated by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

BONNET DESIGN VARIATIONS

The joint between the body and bonnet must be pressure tight under the service conditions for
which the valve is to be used. Bonnets are made of materials that are the same as or compatible
with the valve body. The bonnet is a pressure retaining component of the valve; thus bonnets

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Section 7 Valves

must conform to code requirements. Several types of bonnets are available for various service
conditions. The basic types that are most commonly used are:
• Threaded Bonnet
• Union Bonnet
• Bolted Bonnet
• Pressure Seal Bonnet
• Seal Welded Bonnet

The Threaded Bonnet shown in Figure 7-13

is the simplest and least expensive bonnet
joint. A metal to metal seal is effected
between the body and bonnet. This type is
suitable for many small low pressure valve
applications. It is commonly used in these
applications where the valve will not require
frequent dismantling.
The Union Bonnet also shown in Figure 7-13
is a two piece design consisting of the
bonnet and a ring that slips over the bonnet.
The ring is called a bonnet ring or union
bonnet ring. It has internal threads that
mate with external threads on the valve FIGURE 7-13 - BONNET VARIATIONS
body. Metal to metal seals are effected
between the body and bonnet and the bonnet and ring.
The Bolted Bonnet type shown in Figure 7-13 uses a gasket to seal the joint between the body
and bonnet. The bonnet has a flange that is bolted to a mating flange on the body. Various
flange facings and gasket styles are used. Some designs have the bonnet secured by studs that
are screwed into tapped holes in the valve body. Others have machine bolts or studs with a nut
on each end, in which case the body flange has holes drilled through to match the holes in the
bonnet flange.
In a Pressure Seal Bonnet, the bonnet gasket is placed in a recess between the bonnet and the
valve body. A retaining ring is positioned above the gasket (seal ring). The gasket is wedge
shaped, so that line pressure pushing outward against the underside of the bonnet will cause the
bonnet to wedge the gasket tightly against the body wall. Thus the higher the pressure, the tighter
the seal. The sealing surface along the body wall must be accurately machined, ground, or
lapped to a very smooth finish.
Seal Welded Bonnet is sometimes referred to as the breechlock design. The usual arrangement
is a threaded bonnet that is screwed into the body until a metal to metal seal is formed between a
bonnet lip and mating body lip. The lips are then seal welded. The joint is leaktight, and will
remain so as long as disassembly is not required.

7-14 Piping/Mechanical Handbook 1996:Rev.2