TYPE

FLANGE
Pressure
Relief
Devices
GENERAL

VALVE

OPERATOR

General
A Valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing or partially
obstructing various passageways.
In process operations, fluids and their movement and transfer from place to place, plays a large part in the
process. Fluids are contained in various types of vessels and are transported in pipelines. In order to Start
or Stop fluid flow, to Control flow and to Prevent Back-flow, various types of valves are installed in the
piping. To prevent over-pressure in piping and vessels, we use Safety Relief valves and, to isolate
equipment for maintenance etc., Block valves are installed.
As previously stated, valves are used for the following purposes:
1.
To start and stop flow of fluids
2.
To regulate, throttle and control fluid flow or pressure
3. To prevent back-flow
4.
To relieve excess pressure / vacuum

General
Liquid
Gas
Type of Liquid
Erosive
Valve Selection Consideration

Corrosive
On-Off or Throttling
Prevent Backflow

Flow
Consideration

Concern for Pressure drop

Pressure

Velocity

Temperature

Frequency of Operation
Accessibility
Overall space available

Operating
Conditions

Manual or Automated control

Need for bubble tight shut off
Joint Body Leaks
Fire Safe Design
Speed of Closure

Type

The Gate Valve

The Globe Valve

The Needle Valve

The Plug or Ball Valve

The Butterfly Valve

Check or Non-Return Valves

Diaphragm Valve

Pinch Valve

Pressure Relief Devices

Code Requirements
All pressure vessels subject to overpressure shall be protected by a pressure relieving device
Liquid filled vessels or piping subject to thermal expansion must be protected by a thermal relief
device
Multiple vessels may be protected by a single relief device provided there is a clear, unobstructed
path to the device
At least one pressure relief device must be set at or below the MAWP (Maximum Allowable Working
Pressure)
Relieving pressure shall not exceed MAWP (accumulation) by more than:
3% for fired and unfired steam boilers
10% for vessels equipped with a single pressure relief device
16% for vessels equipped with multiple pressure relief devices
21% for fire contingency

Pressure Relief Devices

General Types Safety Relief Valve
Direct acting type
Conventional Spring Loaded
Advantages
Most reliable type if properly sized and operated
Versatile -- can be used in many services
Disadvantages
Relieving pressure affected by back pressure
Susceptible to chatter if built-up back pressure is too high

Balanced Bellows Spring

Loaded
Advantages
Relieving pressure not affected by back pressure
Can handle higher built-up back pressure
Protects spring from corrosion
Disadvantages
Bellows susceptible to fatigue/rupture
May release flammables/toxics to atmosphere
Requires separate venting system

Pressure Relief Devices

General Types Safety Relief Valve
Pilot operated type
Advantages
Relieving pressure not affected by backpressure
Can operate at up to 98% of set pressure
Less susceptible to chatter (some models)
Disadvantages
Pilot is susceptible to plugging
Limited chemical and high temperature use by O-ring seals
Vapor condensation and liquid accumulation above the piston
may cause problems
Potential for back flow

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
General
A rupture disc is a thin diaphragm (generally a solid metal disc) designed to rupture (or burst) at a
designated pressure. It is used as a weak element to protect vessels and piping against excessive pressure
(positive or negative).
They are often used as the primary pressure relief device.
Very rapid pressure rise situations like runaway reactions.
When pressure relief valve cannot respond quick enough.

They can also be used in conjunction with a pressure relief valve to:
Provide corrosion protection for the PRV.
Prevent loss of toxic or expensive process materials.
Reduce fugitive emissions to meet environmental requirements.

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
When compared with PR valves, rupture discs have:
Advantages

Disadvantages

Reduced fugitive emissions - no simmering or leakage prior to

bursting.
Protect against rapid pressure rise cased by heat exchanger tube
ruptures or internal deflagrations.
Less expensive to provide corrosion resistance.
Less tendency to foul or plug.
Provide both over pressure protection and de-pressuring.
Provide secondary protective device for lower probability
contingencies requiring large relief areas.
Dont reclose after relief.
Burst pressure cannot be tested.
Require periodic replacement.
Greater sensitivity to mechanical damage.
Greater sensitivity to temperature

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
Type
Conventional Tension-Loaded
Advantages
Broad range of applicability for gas and liquids
Available in large variety of sizes; burst pressures, temperatures
and materials and coatings.
Disadvantages
Have tendency to fragment.
May require vacuum support.
Are not fail safe if installed upside down with vacuum support
(require more than 1.5 X Burst Pressure).
Subject to premature failures if operating pressure exceeds 70% of
BP.

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
Type
Pre-Scored Tension - Loaded
Advantages
Broad range of applicability.
Readily available sizes, burst pressures, materials, etc.
Non-fragmenting.
Dont require vacuum support.
Fail safe - (Rupture prematurely if upside down).
Can operate to 85% of BP.

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
Type
Composite
Advantages and disadvantages similar to conventional
tension-loaded type.
Advantages
Allow use of corrosion resistant materials in lower
pressure service and smaller sizes than solid metal discs.

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
Type
Reverse Buckling With Knife
Blades

Advantages
Wide range of sizes, materials, pressures and
temperatures.
thicker than conventional due to snap action.
Dont require vacuum support.
Disadvantages
Not fail safe.
a. Blades corrode or get dull.
b. Blades can be left out.
c. Excessive burst pressure if upside down.
d. Unsuitable in liquid service - (no snap action).
e. Damage causes premature reversal.
f. Subject to roll over.

Pressure Relief Devices

Rupture Discs
Type
Pre-Scored Reverse Buckling
Advantages
Most of the advantages of reverse buckling.
a. Non-fragmenting.
b. Fail safe.
c. Dont need vacuum supports.
d. Available in common sizes and materials.
Disadvantages
Limited number of burst pressures/temperatures.
(Not for high pressures (too thick required)
Not effective in liquid service.

Type
The Gate Valve
General

Flow is controlled by rising or lowering the valving element. Gate Vales are not usually used to regulate flow
because the valving element can be damage when in the partially open position. Similarly, they also limit the
pressure drop across the valve when fully open

Advantages

Gate valve opens or closes slowly, which prevents fluid hammer and subsequent damage to piping system
They need long operation time since setting the valve to the fully open or closed position requires the handle
to be turned many time
Good choice for on-off service
Full flow, low pressure drop
Bidirectional

Disadvantages

This is not suitable for throttling applications.

It is prone to vibration in the partially open state.
It is more subject to seat and disk wear.
Repairs, such as lapping and grinding, are generally more difficult to accomplish.

Type
The Globe Valve
General

Advantages

Disadvantages

A globe valve is a linear motion value used to stop, start and regulate fluid flow, the three primary body designs
for globe valve are Z-body, Y-body and angle.
Recommended for throttling applications
Good for frequent operation
Easy to repair
Flow part cause a significant pressure drop
Globe valve are more costly than alternative valve

Type
The Needle Valve
General

They are used to make relatively fine adjustment in the amount of fluid flow.

Type
The Ball Valve
General
Advantages

Disadvantages

A ball valve is a rotational motion valve that uses a ball-shaped disk to stop or start fluid flow

Maintains and regulates high volume, high pressure and high temp flow
Low purchase and maintenance costs.
No lubrication requirements
Give tight sealing with low torque
Time of valve operation is minimized
Can be used for throttling service
Can handle fluid with suspended solids

Have relatively poor throttling characteristics

Difficult to clean, leads to contamination

Type
The Butterfly Valve
General

A butterfly valve are rotary motion valve that is used to stop, regulate and start fluid flow.

Advantages

They are suitable for large valve applications.

Compact, lightweight design.
The maintenance costs are usually low.
Pressure drop across a butterfly valve is small.
Used with chemical or corrosive media.

Disadvantages

Difficult to clean
Throttling limited to low differential pressure
Potential for cavitation and choke
Unguided disc movement is affected by flow
turbulence

Type
The Check Valve
General

Check valve are designed to prevent the reversal of flow in piping system.
These valve are activated by the flowing material in pipeline. The pressure of the fluid passing through the
system open the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the valve. Closure is accomplished by the weight
of the check mechanism, by back pressure, by a spring, or by a combination of these means.
The general type of check valve are swing, titling disk, piston, , and stop

Type
The Diaphragm Valve
General

Advantages
Disadvantages

A diaphragm valve is a linear motion valve that is used to start, regulate and stop fluid flow.
The name derived from its flexible disk, which mates with a seal located in the open area at the
top of the valve body to form a seal.
Valve components can be isolated from the process fluid
Valve construction prevents leakage of the fluid without the use of a glad seal (Packing)
The diaphragm becomes worn more easy and regular maintenance is necessary
These type of valve are generally not suited for very high temperature fluid and are
mainly used on liquid system

Type
The Pinch Valve
General

A pinch valve is the simplest valve design, it is a linear motion valve that is used to start, regulate
and stop fluid flow. It uses a rubber tube (pinch tube) to control the fluid.

Advantages

They are ideally suited for the handling of slurries, liquids with large amounts of suspended solids
and system that convey solids pneumatically
Can be used for application where corrosion or metal contamination of the fluid might be
problem.
The flow passage is straight without any crevice
There are no internal moving parts in contact with the fluid
Low maintenance due to wear or pressure
Minimum items to change. Tube ONLY

Disadvantages

Cannot be used in high temperature/pressure application

Cannot be used with gas media

Operator
A Diaphragm
The valve is operated by an air powered diaphragm. A diaphragm valve is a manual or control type block
valve which uses a diaphragm as the closing device. The diaphragm valve is usually used to isolate or block
flow. Because the material of the membrane can chemically degrade, diaphragm valves are used under the
conditions of low pressure and a limited temperature operating range.
Diaphragm valves may be used for regulation of
most gases and liquids. There are two types of
diaphragm valves available:
1. Weir
2. Straight through flow.

Operator
An Electric Motor
These valves are generally of large size and are used for different applications such as Pump discharge etc.
Can be of various types e.g. Gate/ Ball/ Butterfly etc. with actuator control.
Design of Motors and valves can be different. An electric motor is mounted on the valve and geared to the
valve stem so that when the motor operates the valve will open or close. For this MOV, motor operated
with actuator control from local panel or from control room is required.
Applications of motor operated valves

Whenever frequent operation is required.

Valves located in remote, inaccessible or hazardous places.

Control

Motorized

More Faster

Faster

Analog Control Element

Digital Control Element

pressure control, flow control, temperature control

flow control

in closed loop control

predominantly open loop

used for precision control

not usually used for precision control

Operator
A Solenoid
A solenoid valve is an electromechanically operated valve. The valve is controlled by an electric current
through a solenoid.
Solenoid valves are the most frequently used control elements in fluidics. Their tasks are to shut off,
release, dose, distribute or mix fluids. They are found in many application areas. Solenoids offer fast and
safe switching, high reliability, long service life, good medium compatibility of the materials used, low
control power and compact design.

Reference
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http://articles.compressionjobs.com/articles/oilfield-101/4393-valves-pipelines-gate-globe-needle-angle-plug-ball-butterfly-check?showall=1
www.slideshare.net/mohdalaamri/valves-presentation
Pressure Relief Devices Scott Ostrowski
http://www.enggcyclopedia.com/2012/05/motor-operated-valve/
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/valves/diaphragm.html
http://www.spiraxsarco.com/Resources/Pages/Steam-Engineering-Tutorials/pipeline-ancillaries/isolation-valves-linear-movement.aspx