Calculating Generic Valve Thrusts

Index

• Introduction
• Valve Positions
– Direct Acting Valves
– Reverse Acting Valves
• Valve Thrust Variables
• Valve Stem Forces
– Overview
– Hydrostatic
• Thrust Equations
– Direct Acting Valves
– Reverse Acting Valves
• Valve Thrust Safety Factors
• Examples
 Introduction

Optimizing actuators for linear valves requires knowing

the valve thrust requirements at four valve positions;
break open, end open, break close and end close
(reseat).

Often linear valve manufacturers will be unable to supply

the above information and hence the actuator
manufacturer will have to estimate the valve thrust
requirements for a given valve size, pressure rating and
type.

In this course we will review the major forces acting on

the valve stem and how to combine them to determine the
total valve thrust requirements at the four valve positions.
 Valve Positions – Direct Acting Valves
Opening Stroke Closing Stroke

Break Open End Open Break Close End Close (EC or Reseat)
(BO) (EO) (BC)
 Valve Positions – Reverse Acting Valves
Opening Stroke Closing Stroke

Break Open End Open Break Close End Close (EC or Reseat)
(BO) (EO) (BC)
 Valve Thrust Variables

Before sizing an actuator, we need to determine the thrust

requirements of the valve. Usually valve thrust information will be
supplied by the valve manufacturer, however, quite often this
information will not be available at the time of quotation and we often
need to calculate generic valve thrust requirements based on the
specific characteristics of the valve. The six variables required to
calculate generic valve thrust requirements for actuator sizing is
summarized below and explained on the following slides:

1) Valve Bore Diameter

2) Valve Factor
3) Valve Stem Diameter
4) Valve Stem Factor
5) Valve Differential Pressure
6) Thrust Safety Factor
 Valve Thrust Variables
1) Valve Bore Diameter
This is the size of the valve i.e. a 2 ANSI 600 valve has a bore diameter
of 2”.

2) Valve Factor
This is dependent on the type of linear valve being used as it relates to
the friction created between the valve seals and gate. Valve factors for
the most common linear valve types are tabulated below:

Valve Type Valve Factor

Split and Flex Wedge 0.25
Solid Wedge 0.30
Parallel Disc 0.20
Teflon Seated 0.18
Globe, Angle & Tank 1.15
 Valve Thrust Variables
Valve ANSI ANSI ANSI ANSI
Bore 150 300 400 600
3) Valve Stem Diameter
1 5/8 5/8 5/8 5/8
Tabulated right are typical
1½ 3/4 3/4 3/4 ¾
valve stem diameters (in
2 3/4 3/4 7/8 1
inches) for 1” to 30” valve
2½ 3/4 3/4 7/8 1
bore diameters with ANSI
3 7/8 7/8 1 1
150, ANSI 300, ANSI 400
3½ 7/8 7/8 1 1¼
and ANSI 600 ratings.
4 1 1 1¼ 1¼
6 1¼ 1¼ 1 3/8 1 5/8
8 1 3/8 1 3/8 1 5/8 1 7/8
10 1 5/8 1 5/8 1¾ 2
12 1 5/8 1 5/8 1¾ 2
14 1 7/8 2 1/8 2¼ 2 3/8
16 2 1/8 2 1/8 2¼ 2 3/8
18 2 1/8 2¼ 2½ 2 5/8
20 2 3/8 2½ 3 3 1/8
24 2½ 3 3¼ 3 3/8
30 3 3¼ 3½ 3 5/8
 Valve Thrust Variables

4) Valve Stem Factor

Tabulated right are typical valve stem Stem Diameter Stem Factor

factors. Stem factors are directly related to To 1” 1000

the valve stem diameters since the factor 1 1/8” to 1 1/2” 1500

is to allow for the friction caused between 1 5/8” to 2 1/2” 2500

the valve stem and stem packing. 2 5/8” to 4” 4000

4 1/8” to 6” 5000

5) Valve Differential Pressure

The differential pressure across the valve
ANSI Maximum
will affect the valve thrust requirements
Rating Pressure
with higher differential pressures resulting
150 275 psig
in higher valve thrust requirements. If the
300 725 psig
maximum pipeline pressure is not known,
400 1040 psig
then we use the maximum pressure rating
600 1440 psig
for the applicable valve ANSI rating as
tabulated right.
 Valve Thrust Variables

6) Thrust Safety Factor

The final variable to consider is the amount of safety factor we wish to
add to the generically calculated valve thrusts. Unless detailed in the
project specifications, a 20% safety factor should prove acceptable for
the majority of valve automation applications.
 Valve Stem Forces – Overview
There are three major types of forces
acting on the valve stem which, when
combined with a thrust safety factor, Packing / Gland Packing / Gland
will determine the valve thrust Friction Friction

requirements and allow us to size a

suitable actuator size:
1) Packing / Gland Friction
Packing / Gland Friction = Valve
Stem Factor
Seat Friction Seat Friction
2) Seat Friction
Seat Friction = Bore Area x 
Seat Friction Seat Friction
Pressure x Valve Factor
3) Hydrostatic Force
Hydrostatic Force = Stem Area x
Hydrostatic
Pipeline Pressure Force
 Valve Stem Forces – Hydrostatic
On the previous slides we have identified the major forces that
determine valve thrusts and seen how they act upon a typical gate
valve. We are now able to calculate generic valve thrusts based on the
total of these forces.

Since the effect of the hydrostatic forces acting on the valve stem will
tend to push the valve stem upwards, we need to use slightly different
equations when calculating thrusts for Direct Acting (valve stem down
to close) and Reverse Acting valves (valve stem up to close).
 Valve Stem Forces – Hydrostatic
In Direct Acting valves the hydrostatic forces acting on the valve stem
will reduce the actuator thrust required to open the valve but increase
the actuator thrust required to close the valve.

Closing Stroke Opening Stroke

Hydrostatic
Force
 Valve Stem Forces – Hydrostatic
In Reverse Acting valves the hydrostatic forces acting on the valve
stem will increase the actuator thrust required to open the valve but
decrease the actuator thrust required to close the valve.

Opening Stroke Closing Stroke

Hydrostatic
Force
 Thrust Equations – Direct Acting Valves

Detailed below are equations that incorporate the three major forces
and allow us to calculate required valve thrusts at the Break Open
(BO), End Open (EO), Break Close (BO) and End Close (EO) valve
positions for Direct Acting valves.
Break Open Position
Required Thrust = Seat Friction + Stem Factor - Hydrostatic Force
= (Ba x P x Vf) + Sf - (Sa x P) Where:
End Open Position Ba = Bore Area
Required Thrust = Stem Factor - Hydrostatic Force P = Differential
= Sf - (Sa x P) Pressure
Break Close Position Vf = Valve Factor
Required Thrust = Stem Factor + Hydrostatic Force Sf = Stem Factor
= Sf + (Sa x P) Sa = Stem Area
P = Pipeline Pressure
End Close Position
Required Thrust = Seat Friction + Stem Factor + Hydrostatic Force
= (Ba x P x Vf) + Sf + (Sa x P)
 Thrust Equations – Reverse Acting Valves

Detailed below are equations that incorporate the three major forces
and allow us to calculate required valve thrusts at the Break Open
(BO), End Open (EO), Break Close (BO) and End Close (EO) valve
positions for Reverse Acting valves.
Break Open Position
Required Thrust = Seat Friction + Stem Factor + Hydrostatic Force
= (Ba x P x Vf) + Sf + (Sa x P)
Where:
End Open Position Ba = Bore Area
Required Thrust = Stem Factor + Hydrostatic Force P = Differential
= Sf + (Sa x P) Pressure
Break Close Position Vf = Valve Factor
Required Thrust = Stem Factor - Hydrostatic Force Sf = Stem Factor
= Sf - (Sa x P) Sa = Stem Area
P = Pipeline Pressure
End Close Position
Required Thrust = Seat Friction + Stem Factor - Hydrostatic Force
= (Ba x P x Vf) + Sf - (Sa x P)
 Valve Thrust Safety Factors

On the previous slides we have identified the major forces acting upon
a generic valve and seen how to combine these forces to calculate the
thrust required from the actuator at the Break Open (BO), End Open
(EO), Break Close (BC) and End Close (EC) valve positions. Obviously
there are many other minor forces acting upon a valve that will
influence the thrust output required from the actuator, however, they
are too numerous and dependent on the specific design of the valve
manufacturer to individually analyze for sizing purposes.

Usually the required thrust safety factor will be specified by the

customer, however, should the customer not have a specific safety
factor requirement, we recommend a minimum of 20%. To apply a
safety factor, multiply the generic valve thrusts calculated at the four
valve positions by the relevant safety factor i.e. if we required a safety
factor of 20% we would multiply the generic valve thrusts by 1.2.
 Examples – Direct Acting Valve

What would be the generic valve thrust requirements (when inclusive of

a 20% safety factor) for a 10” ANSI 600 direct acting parallel disc type
gate valve operating at a maximum differential pressure and pipeline
pressure of 1000 psig?

Step 1 - Determine Values for Variables

Firstly we need to determine what the values are for the variables
required for the thrust formulas at the four valve positions (Break Open
(BO), End Open (EO), Break Close (BC) and End Close (EC). These
variables are: Bore Area (Ba), Differential Pressure (P), Valve Factor
(Vf), Stem Factor (Sf), Stem Area (Sa) and Pipeline Pressure (P).
Ba = πr² = 3.14 x 5² = 78.54 in²
P = 1000 psid
Vf = 0.2
Sf = 2500 lbs
Sa = πr² = 3.14 x 1² = 3.14 in²
P = 1000 psig
 Examples – Direct Acting Valve

Step 2 - Enter Variable Values into Valve Thrust Calculations

Previously we determined that; Ba = 78.54 in², P = 1000 psid, Vf = 0.2,
Sf = 2500 lbs, Sa = 3.14 in², P = 1000 psig, Safety Factor = 20%

BO Thrust = [(Ba x P x Vf) + Sf - (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [(78.54 x 1000 x 0.2) + 2500 - (3.14 x 1000)] x 1.2
= 18082 lbs

EO Thrust = [Sf - (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [2500 - (3.14 x 1000)] x 1.2
= -768 lbs

BC Thrust = [Sf + (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [2500 + (3.14 x 1000)] x 1.2
= 6768 lbs

EC Thrust = [(Ba x P x Vf) + Sf + (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [(78.54 x 1000 x 0.2) + 2500 + (3.14 x 1000)] x 1.2
= 25618 lbs
 Examples – Direct Acting Valve

At BO position At EO position At BC position At EC position valve

valve requires valve requires valve requires requires 25618 lbs
18082 lbs -768 lbs 6768 lbs
 Examples – Reverse Acting Valve

What would be the generic valve thrust requirements (when inclusive of

a 25% safety factor) for a 6” ANSI 300 reverse acting Teflon seated
gate valve operating at a maximum differential pressure of 500 psig
and pipeline pressure of 800 psig?

Step 1 - Determine Values for Variables

Firstly we need to determine what the values are for the variables
required for the thrust formulas at the four valve positions (Break Open
(BO), End Open (EO), Break Close (BC) and End Close (EC). These
variables are: Bore Area (Ba), Differential Pressure (P), Valve Factor
(Vf), Stem Factor (Sf), Stem Area (Sa) and Pipeline Pressure (P).
Ba = πr² = 3.14 x 3² = 28.27 in²
P = 500 psid
Vf = 0.18
Sf = 1500 lbs
Sa = πr² = 3.14 x 0.625² = 1.28 in²
P = 800 psig
 Examples – Reverse Acting Valve

Step 2 - Enter Variable Values into Valve Thrust Calculations

Previously we determined that; Ba = 28.27 in², P = 500 psid, Vf = 0.18,
Sf = 1500 lbs, Sa = 1.28 in², P = 800 psig, Safety Factor = 25%

BO Thrust = [(Ba x P x Vf) + Sf + (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [(28.27 x 500 x 0.18) + 1500 + (1.28 x 800)] x 1.25
= 6335 lbs

EO Thrust = [Sf + (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [1500 + (1.28 x 800)] x 1.25
= 3155 lbs

BC Thrust = [Sf - (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [1500 - (1.28 x 800)] x 1.25
= 595 lbs

EC Thrust = [(Ba x P x Vf) + Sf - (Sa x P)] x Safety Factor

= [(28.27 x 500 x 0.18) + 1500 - (1.28 x 800)] x 1.25
= 3775 lbs
 Examples – Reverse Acting Valve

At BO position At EO position At BC position At EC position valve

valve requires valve requires valve requires requires 3775 lbs
6335 lbs 3155 lbs 595 lbs