Two-port valves

Globe valves
Globe valves are frequently used for control applications because
of their suitability for throttling flow and the ease with which they
can be given a specific 'characteristic', relating valve opening to
flow.

Two typical globe valve types are shown in Figure 6.1.1. An
actuator coupled to the valve spindle would provide valve
movement.
Fig.
6.1.1 Two differently shaped globe valves
The major constituent parts of globe valves are:
The body.
The bonnet.
The valve seat and valve plug, or trim.
The valve spindle (which connects to the actuator).
The sealing arrangement between the valve stem and the
bonnet.
Figure 6.1.2 is a diagrammatic representation of a single seat
two-port globe valve. In this case the fluid flow is pushing against
the valve plug and tending to keep the plug off the valve seat.
Fig. 6.1.2 Flow
through a single seat, two-port globe valve
The difference in pressure upstream (P1) and downstream (P2) of
the valve, against which the valve must close, is known as the
differential pressure (DP). The maximum differential pressure
against which a valve can close will depend upon the size and
type of valve and the actuator operating it.

In broad terms, the force required from the actuator may be
determined using Equation 6.1.1.
Equation 6.1.1
Where:
A = Valve seating area (m
2
)
P = Differential pressure (kPa)
F = Closing force required (kN)

In a steam system, the maximum differential pressure is usually
assumed to be the same as the upstream absolute pressure. This
allows for possible vacuum conditions downstream of the valve
when the valve closes. The differential pressure in a closed water
system is the maximum pump differential head.

If a larger valve, having a larger orifice, is used to pass greater
volumes of the medium, then the force that the actuator must
develop in order to close the valve will also increase. Where very
large capacities must be passed using large valves, or where very
high differential pressures exist, the point will be reached where it
becomes impractical to provide sufficient force to close a
conventional single seat valve. In such circumstances, the
traditional solution to this problem is the double seat two-port
valve.

As the name implies, the double seat valve has two valve plugs
on a common spindle, with two valve seats. Not only can the
valve seats be kept smaller (since there are two of them) but also,
as can be seen in Figure 6.1.3, the forces are partially balanced.
This means that although the differential pressure is trying to keep
the top valve plug off its seat (as with a single seat valve) it is also
trying to push down and close the lower valve plug.
Fig. 6.1.3
Flow through a double seat, two-port valve
However, a potential problem exists with any double seat valve.
Because of manufacturing tolerances and differing coefficients of
expansion, few double seat valves can be guaranteed to give
good shut-off tightness.


Shut-off tightness
Control valve leakage is classified with respect to how much the
valve will leak when fully closed. The leakage rate across a
standard double seat valve is at best Class III, (a leakage of 0.1%
of full flow) which may be too much to make it suitable for certain
applications. Consequently, because the flow paths through the
two-ports are different, the forces may not remain in balance
when the valve opens.

Various international standards exist that formalise leakage rates
in control valves. The following leakage rates are taken from the
British Standard BS 5793 Part 4 (IEC 60534-4). For an
unbalanced standard single seat valve, the leakage rate will
normally be Class IV, (0.01% of full flow), although it is possible to
obtain Class V, (1.8 x 10-5 x differential pressure (bar) x seat
diameter (mm). Generally, the lower the leakage rate the more
the cost.


Balanced single seat valves
Because of the leakage problem associated with double seat
valves, when a tight shut-off is required a single seat valve should
be specified. The forces required to shut a single seat globe valve
increase considerably with valve size. Some valves are designed
with a balancing mechanism to reduce the closing force
necessary, especially on valves operating with large differential
pressures. In a piston-balanced valve, some of the upstream fluid
pressure is transmitted via internal pathways into a space above
the valve plug, which acts as a pressure balancing chamber. The
pressure contained in this chamber provides a downforce on the
valve plug as shown in Figure 6.1.4, balancing the upstream
pressure and assisting the normal force exerted by the actuator,
to close the valve.
Fig.
6.1.4 A steam control valve with piston balancing

Slide valves, spindle operated
Slide valves tend to come in two different designs; wedge gate
type and parallel slide type. Both types are well suited for isolating
fluid flow, as they give a tight shut-off and, when open, the
pressure drop across them is very small. Both types are used as
manually operated valves, but if automatic actuation is required,
the parallel slide valve is usually chosen, whether for isolation or
control. Typical valves are shown in Figure 6.1.5.
Fig.
6.1.5 Wedge gate valve and parallel slide valve (manual
operation)
The parallel slide valve closes by means of two spring loaded
sliding disks (springs not shown), which pass across the flow-path
of the fluid, the fluid pressure ensuring a tight joint between the
downstream disk and its seat. Large size parallel slide valves are
used in main steam and feedlines in the power and process
industries to isolate sections of the plant. Small-bore parallel
slides are also used for the control of ancillary steam and water
services although, mainly due to cost, these tasks are often
carried out using actuated ball valves and piston type valves.
Top
Rotary type valves
Rotary type valves, often called quarter-turn valves, include plug
valves, ball valves and butterfly valves. All require a rotary motion
to open and close, and can easily be fitted with actuators.


Eccentric plug valves
Figure 6.1.6 shows a typical eccentric plug valve. These valves
are normally installed with the plug spindle horizontal as shown,
and the attached actuator situated alongside the valve.

Plug valves may include linkages between the plug and actuator
to improve the leverage and closing force, and special positioners
that modify the inherent valve characteristic to a more useful
equal percentage characteristic (valve characteristics are
discussed in Tutorial 6.5).
Fig. 6.1.6 Side
view of an eccentric plug valve (shown in a partially open
position)

Ball valves
Figure 6.1.7 shows a ball valve consisting of a spherical ball
located between two sealing rings in a simple body form. The ball
has a hole allowing fluid to pass through. When aligned with the
pipe ends, this gives either full bore or nearly full bore flow with
very little pressure drop. Rotating the ball through 90 opens and
closes the flow passage. Ball valves designed specifically for
control purposes will have characterized balls or seats, to give a
predictable flow pattern.
Fig. 6.1.7 Ball valve
(shown in a fully open position)
Ball valves are an economic means of providing control with tight
shut-off for many fluids including steam at temperatures up to
250C (38 bar g, saturated steam). Above this temperature,
special seat materials or metal-to-metal seatings are necessary,
which can be expensive. Ball valves are easily actuated and often
used for remote isolation and control. For critical control
applications, segmented balls and balls with specially shaped
holes are available to provide different flow characteristics.


Butterfly valves
Figure 6.1.8 is a simple schematic diagram of a butterfly valve,
which consists of a disc rotating in trunnion bearings. In the open
position the disc is parallel to the pipe wall, allowing full flow
through the valve. In the closed position it is rotated against a
seat, and perpendicular to the pipe wall.
Fig. 6.1.8 Butterfly
valve (shown in its open position)
Traditionally, butterfly valves were limited to low pressures and
temperatures, due to the inherent limitations of the soft seats
used. Currently, valves with higher temperature seats or high
quality and specially machined metal-to-metal seats are available
to overcome these drawbacks. Standard butterfly valves are now
used in simple control applications, particularly in larger sizes and
where limited turndown is required.

Special butterfly valves are available for more demanding duties.

A fluid flowing through a butterfly valve creates a low pressure
drop, in that the valve presents little resistance to flow when open.
In general however, their differential pressure limits are lower than
those for globe valves. Ball valves are similar except that, due to
their different sealing arrangements, they can operate against
higher differential pressures than equivalent butterfly valves.


Options
There are always a number of options to consider when choosing
a control valve. For globe valves, these include a choice of
spindle gland packing material and gland packing configurations,
which are designed to make the valve suitable for use on higher
temperatures or for different fluids. Some examples of these can
be seen in the simple schematic diagrams in Figure 6.1.9. It is
worth noting that certain types of gland packing produce a greater
friction with the valve spindle than others. For example, the
traditional stuffing box type of packing will create greater friction
than the PTFE spring-loaded chevron type or bellows sealed type.
Greater friction requires a higher actuator force and will have an
increased propensity for haphazard movement.

Spring-loaded packing re-adjusts itself as it wears. This reduces
the need for regular manual maintenance. Bellows sealed valves
are the most expensive of these three types, but provide minimal
friction with the best stem sealing mechanism. As can be seen in
Figure 6.1.9, bellows sealed valves usually have another set of
traditional packing at the top of the valve spindle housing. This will
act as a final defence against any chance of leaking through the
spindle to atmosphere.
Fig.
6.1.9 Alternative gland packings
Valves also have different ways of guiding the valve plug inside
the body. One common guidance method, as depicted in Figure
6.1.10, is the 'double guided' method, where the spindle is guided
at both the top and the bottom of its length. Another type is the
'guided plug' method where the plug may be guided by a cage or
a frame. Some valves can employ perforated plugs, which
combine plug guidance and noise reduction.
Fig. 6.1.10 Guiding arrangements
Summary of two-port valves used for automatic control
By far the most widely used valve type for the automatic control of
steam processes and applications is the globe valve. It is
relatively easy to actuate, it is versatile, and has inherent
characteristics well suited to the automatic control needs of
steam.

It should also be said that two-port automatic control valves are
also used within liquid systems, such as low, medium and high
temperature hot water systems, and thermal oil systems. Liquid
systems carry an inherent need to be balanced with regard to
mass flows. In many instances, systems are designed where two-
port valves can be used without destroying the balance of
distribution networks.

However, when two-port valves cannot be used on a liquid
system, three-port valves are installed, which inherently maintain
a balance across the distribution system, by acting in a diverting
or mixing fashion.
Top
Three-port valves
Three-port valves can be used for either mixing or diverting
service depending upon the plug and seat arrangement inside the
valve. A simple definition of each function is shown in Figure
6.1.11.
Fig.
6.1.11 Three-port valve definition
There are three basic types of three-port valve:
Piston valve type.
Globe plug type.
Rotating shoe type.

Piston valves
This type of valve has a hollow piston, (Figure 6.1.12), which is
moved up and down by the actuator, covering and
correspondingly uncovering the two-ports A and B. Port A and
port B have the same overall fluid transit area and, at any time,
the cumulative cross-sectional area of both is always equal. For
instance, if port A is 30% open, port B is 70% open, and vice
versa. This type of valve is inherently balanced and is powered by
a self-acting control system. Note: The porting configuration may
differ between manufacturers.

Globe type three-port valves (also called 'lift and lay')
Here, the actuator pushes a disc or pair of valve plugs between
two seats (Figure 6.1.13), increasing or decreasing the flow
through ports A and B in a corresponding manner.
Fig.
6.1.13 Globe type three-port valves
Note: A linear characteristic is achieved by profiling the plug skirt
(see Figure 6.1.14).
Fig. 6.1.14 Plug
skirt modified to give a linear characteristic

Rotating shoe three-port valve
This type of valve employs a rotating shoe, which shuttles across
the port faces. The schematic arrangement in Figure 6.1.15
illustrates a mixing application with approximately 80% flowing
through port A and 20% through port B, 100% to exit through port
AB.
Fig. 6.1.15 Rotating shoe on
a mixing application

Using three-port valves
Not all types can be used for both mixing and diverting service.
Figure 6.1.16 shows the incorrect application of a globe valve
manufactured as a mixing valve but used as a diverting valve.
Fig. 6.1.16 Three-port
mixing valve used incorrectly as a diverting valve
The flow entering the valve through port AB can leave from either
of the two outlet ports A or B, or a proportion may leave from
each. With port A open and port B closed, the differential pressure
of the system will be applied to one side of the plug.

When port A is closed, port B is open, and differential pressure
will be applied across the other side of the plug. At some
intermediate plug position, the differential pressure will reverse.
This reversal of pressure can cause the plug to move out of
position, giving poor control and possible noise as the plug
'chatters' against its seat.

To overcome this problem on a plug type valve designed for
diverting, a different seat configuration is used, as shown in Fig.
6.1.17. Here, the differential pressure is equally applied to the
same sides of both valve plugs at all times.
Fig. 6.1.17 Plug type diverting
valve
In closed circuits, it is possible to use mixing valves or diverting
valves, depending upon the system design, as depicted in Figures
6.1.18 and 6.1.19.

In Figure 6.1.18, the valve is designed as a mixing valve as it has
two inlets and one outlet. However, when placed in the return
pipework from the load, it actually performs a diverting function,
as it diverts hot water away from the heat exchanger.
Fig.
6.1.18 Mixing Valve installed on the return pipework
Consider the mixing valve used in Figure 6.1.18, when the heat
exchanger is calling for maximum heat, perhaps at start-up, port A
will be fully open, and port B fully closed. The whole of the water
passing from the boiler is passed through the heat exchanger and
passes through the valve via ports AB and A. When the heat load
is satisfied, port A will be fully closed and port B fully open, and
the whole of the water passing from the boiler bypasses the load
and passes through the valve via ports AB and B. In this sense,
the water is being diverted from the heat exchanger in relation to
the requirements of the heat load.

The same effect can be achieved by installing a diverting valve in
the flow pipework, as depicted by Figure 6.1.19.
Fig.
6.1.19 Diverting valve installed on the flow pipework
Top
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Control valves are valves used within industrial plants and
elsewhere to control operating conditions such as temperature,
pressure, flow, and liquid level by fully or partially opening or
closing in response to signals received from controllers that
compare a "setpoint" to a "process variable" whose value is
provided by sensors that monitor changes in such conditions.
[1]

The opening or closing of control valves is done by means of
electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems.

Types of control valve
The different types of control valve may be categorized as shown
below:

Conventional Valve
Severe Service Valve
Types of control valve bodies
The different types of control valve bodies may be categorized as
shown below:
[2]



Globe control valve with the pneumatic actuator and smart
positioner
Angle Valves
Cage-style Valve bodies
DiskStack style Valve bodies
Angle seat piston valves
Globe Valves
Single-Port Valve Bodies
Balanced-Plug Cage-Style Valve Bodies
High Capacity, Cage-Guided Valve Bodies
Port-Guided Single-Port Valve Bodies
Double-Ported Valve Bodies
Three-Way Valve Bodies
Rotary Valves
Butterfly Valve Bodies
V-Notch Ball Control Valve Bodies
Eccentric-Disk Control Valve Bodies
Eccentric-Plug Control Valve Bodies







7.0 Locating the Control Valve
Care should be taken in selecting the location of the control valve in
the pipeline. The following points should be considered.
A. Access for Maintenance

Valves should be installed in location where they can be conveniently
and safely operated and maintained. In selecting the position for the
valve, it is advisable to check for the availability of convenient points
for installation of lifting hoists so the actuator and valve components
can be removed.
B. Configuration of Associated Pipe
For efficient operation of the control valve, the associated pipe
configuration must be taken into account. Failure to do so could
adversely affect the capacity or the flow control performance of the
valve.
Valves should be installed with a minimum of ten straight pipe
diameters upstream of the valve and five straight pipe diameters
downstream before going into a pipe bend. Ideally, there should be
no other valves or fittings in these lengths of straight piping.
When considering the pipe installation, care should be taken in
locating T-pieces on the upstream and downstream side of the
control valve as these can generate shockwaves that can filter back
to the valve and adversely affect its performance.
C. Installation of Isolating Valves
If it is essential to install isolating valves adjacent to the control valve,
these valves should be of the same bore as the control valve so to
avoid the generation of a nozzle discharge effect into the control
valve inlet, which can adversely affect the stability and performance
of the control valve.

D. Pipe Size
It is not considered good practice to install valves into pipe that is
more than two sizes larger than the valve size, but if doing so is
necessary to achieve reasonable velocities in the piping, consider a
two-stage expansion of the pipe with a short recovery distance
between the two expanders.
E. Actuator Mounting
Wherever possible, install the valve with the actuator mounted
vertically above the valve. If it is necessary to install the actuator in
any other plane, consult Copes-Vulcan.
F. Pipe Supports
Pipe supports should be located in the vicinity of the valve in order to
support the valve weight and to absorb any pipe loads. Except when
mounting a large actuator in other than the vertical plane, no supports
should be attached to the valve actuator.
G. Fluid Velocity Limitation
Consideration should be given to the velocity of fluid through the
pipeline. If noise is a concern, Copes-Vulcan recommends that the
exit velocity of the valve fluid not exceed one-third sonic for gas or
steam applications.
8.0 Installation
Care taken during the installation of a control valve will provide
substantial benefits in terms of trouble-free service. The most
common causes of problems with control valves are a result of
incorrect installation, transference if pipe stresses to the valve body,
or ingress of foreign matter into the valve trim, which causes the
valve to stick and damages the valve trim.
Avoid locating the control valve at a point where large end loads may
occur.
E. Precautions for Pipeline Flushing
Flushing which is used to remove solid particles from the piping
system, can lead to problems with the control valve. The flushed
particles can get trapped in the e valve trim, where they may score
the components, damage the valve seats, and cause the valve to
stick.
If flushing is to be carried out with the valve in line, it is recommended
that he valve trim be removed and replaced with a special set of
flushing trim or stuffing box plug. Copes- Vulcan can supply special
flushing trim that can be used during flushing and chemical cleaning.
This trim normally consists of a temporary stem and cage.
F. Precautions for Chemical Cleaning
Chemical cleaning of pipeline can cause problems similar to those
encountered after pipeline flushing, especially if the cleaning
solutions are not neutralized after cleaning is complete and are
allowed to remain in the valve body. Some acids will etch seating or
gasket surfaces or may attack other parts of the valve trim. Copes-
Vulcan strongly recommends that the valve trim be removed prior to
chemical cleaning and replaced with a special set of flushing trim or
stuffing box plug. Consult Copes-Vulcan if a set of flushing trim is
needed.








The heart of the control valve is the trim, especially the mating parts that
throttle the stream to the demands of the controller. These valve parts
are subjected to the most taxing service, and selecting the best type for
an application involves many considerations. Because the trim in rotary
motion valves is vastly different in design from that in linear motion


valves, body choice is also affected.
Aside from being the right size, the most important consideration is
probably serviceability - will the trim do a proper job for an acceptable
length of time? The corrosive and erosive nature of the fluid are important
elements in the analysis, as are extremes of temperature or pressure
differential. The risk of cavitation or excessive aerodynamic noise
requires appraisal, as does the importance of flow characteristics on the
loop stability. The trim design affects the forces that are demanded of the
actuator. Hence, dynamic and actuator cost are involved.
Special considerations for valve trim include a need for tight shutoff and
regulatory requirements, such as those governing sanitary service or the
desirability of having a quick-change facility for easy cleaning or
replacement.
The following are the main considerations for choosing a valve trim:
1. Service life. Is fluid corrosive or erosive?
2. Special considerations. Sanitary service, extreme temperature, no
stem packing leakage is allowed.
3. Noise. Can service conditions lead to cavitation or aerodynamic
noise problems?
4. Serviceability. Does valve trim have to be removed frequently for
cleaning and the like?
5. Actuator requirements. Static forces, dynamic stability.
6. Leakage considerations. Is tight shutoff required?
7. Flow characteristic. What should be the installed control valve's
gain?
Selection of Valve Trim Material
The overwhelming majority of valve trim material is AISI type 316
stainless steel. This is a good all-around choice for general service for
about -320F (-195C) to 750F (+400C) and moderately corrosive
fluids. More specialized material choices are dictated by special erosive,
corrosive, or temperature requirements. However, such trim is usually of
the custom variety, and increased cost and delivery cycles are to be
expected.
While there are no hard-and-fast rules governing what trim material to
specify, FCI standard 65-1 may be consulted [Ref. 1].
Guidelines published by various manufacturers are of use, but often
contradictory and vague. Table 9-1 is typical of such guidelines. In the
selection process, one has to make a reasonable compromise between
initial cost and expected service life. For example, if a solid Stellite trim
will extend the service life by only 20% but doubles the cost of the valve,
then it may be a poor choice. Reliability, downtime, and labor costs must
be considered. Pressure drop alone is not necessarily an indication of
wear. A valve operating at choked flow (PF
k
X
TP
P
I
) on gases
experiences the same velocity whether the pressure drop is 15 or 5000
psi. Associated vibration caused by high throttling noise, on the other
hand, may cause substantial wear on guide surfaces.

Hardened Trim
Hardened trim is usually specified for high pressure drop service for other
than clean, dry gases. Although solid hard plugs are the economical
choice for valves below 1 inch in size (type 440-C or 17-4 PH stainless
steel, alloy 6, and tungsten carbide are typical), a hard material overlay
(usually a cobalt alloy of 38 to 60 R
C
hardness) is more economical for
larger sizes. For abrasive or slurry surfaces, it is wise to use a fully
coated or solid, hardened closure member and seat ring. But hard
surfacing of the seating surfaces may be sufficient to improve the life
expectancy of the seat tightness on services such as superheated steam,
two-phase flow, or high temperatures over 600F (315C). An alert
manufacturer will select a material combination that offers at least 150
Brinell hardness difference between the closure member and the seat
ring whenever severe service is encountered. For more details on
materials refer to Chapter 11.





Home

Diaphragm valves (or membrane valves) consists of a valvebody with two
or more ports, a diaphragm, and a "saddle" or seat upon which the
diaphragm closes the valve. The valve is constructed from either plastic or
steel.
Originally, the diaphragm valve was developed for use in non-hygienic
applications. Later on the design was adapted for use in the bio-
pharmaceutical industry by using compliant materials that can withstand
sanitizing and sterilizing methods.
There are two main categories of diaphragm valves: one type seals over a
"weir" (saddle) and the other (sometimes called a "straight-way" valve)
seals over a seat. The main difference is that a saddle-type valve has its
two ports in line with each other on the opposite sides of the valve,
whereas the seat-type has the in/out ports located at a 90 degree angle
from one another. The saddle type is the most common in process
applications and the seat-type is more commonly used as a tank bottom
valve but exists also as a process valve. While diaphragm valves usually
come in two-port forms, they can also come with three ports and even
more. When more than three ports are included, they generally require
more than one diaphragm; however, special dual actuators can handle
more ports with one membrane.
Diaphragm valves can be manual or automated. Their application is
generally as shut-off valves in process systems within the food and
beverage, pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The older generation of
these valves is not suited for regulating and controlling process flows,
however newer developments in this area have successfully tackled this
problem.
In addition to the well known, two way shut off diaphragm valve, other types
include: three way zero deadleg valve, sterile access port, block and bleed,
valbow and tank bottom valve just to name a few.
[edit] Actuators
Diaphragm valves can be controlled by various types of actuators. The
most common diaphragm valves use pneumatic actuators; in this type of
valve, air pressure is applied through a Schrader valve which raises the
diaphragm and opens the valve. This type of valve is extremely quick and
as such is one of the more common valves used in operations where valve
speed is a necessity.
Hydraulic diaphragm valves also exist for higher pressure and lower speed
operations. Some diaphragm valves are also controlled manually.
[edit] Body materials
Brass
Steel type:
o Cast Iron
o Ductile Iron
o Carbon Steel
o Stainless Steel
Plastic type:
o ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
o PVC-U (Polyvinyl chloride, unplasticized) also known as PVCu
or uPVC
o PVC-C (Polyvinyl chloride, post chlorinated) also known as
PVCc or cPVC
o PP (Polypropylene)
o PE (Polyethylene) also known as LDPE, MDPE and HDPE (see
note)
o PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride)
[edit] Body lining materials
Depending on temperature, pressure and chemical resistance, one of the
following is used:
Unlined type
Rubber lined type:
o NR/Hard Rubber/Ebonite,
o BR/Soft rubber
o EPDM
Fluorine plastic lined type
o FEP/F46
o PFA
o PO
[edit] Diaphragm materials
Unlined or Rubber Lined Type:
o NR/Natural Rubber
o NBR/Nitrile/Buna-N
o EPDM

o FKM/Viton
o SI/Silicone rubber

Fluorine Plastic Type:
o FEP/F46,with EPDM back
o PTFE/F4,with EPDM back
o PFA,with EPDM back
A pneumatic actuator converts energy (in the form of compressed air,
typically) into motion. The motion can be rotary or linear, depending on the
type of actuator. Some types of pneumatic actuators include:
Tie rod cylinders
Rotary actuators
Grippers
Rodless actuators with magnetic linkage or rotary cylinders
Rodless actuators with mechanical linkage
Pneumatic artificial muscles
Speciality actuators that combine rotary and linear motionfrequently
used for clamping operations
Vacuum generators
A Pneumatic actuator mainly consists of a piston, a cylinder, and valves or
ports. The piston is covered by a diaphragm, or seal, which keeps the air in
the upper portion of the cylinder, allowing air pressure to force the
diaphragm downward, moving the piston underneath, which in turn moves
the valve stem, which is linked to the internal parts of the actuator.
Pneumatic actuators may only have one spot for a signal input, top or
bottom, depending on action required. Valves require little pressure to
operate and usually double or triple the input force. The larger the size of
the piston, the larger the output pressure can be. Having a larger piston
can also be good if air supply is low, allowing the same forces with less
input. These pressures are large enough to crush object in the pipe. On
100 kPa input, you could lift a small car (upwards 1,000 lbs) easily, and this
is only a basic, small pneumatic valve. However, the resulting forces
required of the stem would be too great and cause the valve stem to fail.
This pressure is transferred to the valve stem, which is hooked up to either
the valve plug (see plug valve), butterfly valve etc. Larger forces are
required in high pressure or high flow pipelines to allow the valve to
overcome these forces, and allow it to move the valves moving parts to
control the material flowing inside.
Valves input pressure is the "control signal." This can come from a variety
of measuring devices, and each different pressure is a different set point for
a valve. A typical standard signal is 20100 kPa. For example, a valve
could be controlling the pressure in a vessel which has a constant out-flow,
and a varied in-flow (varied by the actuator and valve). A pressure
transmitter will monitor the pressure in the vessel and transmit a signal
from 20100 kPa. 20 kPa means there is no pressure, 100 kPa means
there is full range pressure (can be varied by the transmiters calibration
points). As the pressure rises in the vessel, the output of the transmitter
rises, this increase in pressure is sent to the valve, which causes the valve
to stroke downard, and start closing the valve, decreasing flow into the
vessel, reducing the pressure in the vessel as excess pressure is
evacuated through the out flow. This is called a direct acting process
Fisher GX control valve
When handwheel is operated , two levers associated with handwheel
and connected to stem connector apply force on stem connector
thereby moving stem . Generally handwheel is at neutral position and
valve is operating pneumatically . Upper mechanical stop provided on
an air to close valve . Valve can be moved from full open
position(siemens positioner value is 0% ) to full closed
position(siemens positioner value is 100% ) by handwheel .When
handwheel is moved from neutral to closing direction , a resistance ifs
felt and sound is produced when valve is being moved . When
handwheel is tried to be moved in open direction from full open
position to open it more , no resistance is felt and valve does not move