Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Pressure Relief Valves *
The following summary of Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) type advantages and limitations is offered to provide relative information. The summary is not intended to be an absolute list of valve pros and cons. Otherwise unacceptable valve types might be used if the following circumstances dictate:

specific application prior experience available commercial and special valve configurations various optional accessories for pilot operated valves rupture disc in series with the PRV special valve location
Weighted Pallet Type

Advantages Low Cost Simple Limitations Set Pressure not readily adjustable High overpressure necessary for full lift (100% or more in some cases) Seat easily frozen closed at cryogenic temperatures
Very low set pressures available (down to 0.5 ounce/in2) Extremely long simmer and poor tightness
Conventional Metal-Seated
Advantages Lowest Cost (in smaller sizes and lower pressures) Wide chemical compatibility High temperature compatibility Standardized center to face dimensions (API 526)
http://sizing.tycovalves.com/techsupport/advantageslimitations.aspx (1 of 7) [1/5/2012 10:21:21 AM]
Limitations Seat leakage, often resulting in lost product and unacceptable emissions, causing environmental pollution Simmer and blowdown adjustment is a compromise, which may result in intolerable leakage, product loss and high maintenance costs Vulnerable to effects of inlet prssure losses Sensitive to effects of back pressure (set pressure and capacity)
Modulating action during small pressure relief excursions may result in reduced product loss Not normally able to obtain accurate, inplace set pressure verification General acceptance for most applications
Balanced Bellows, Metal-Seated

Advantages Protected guiding surfaces and spring Limitations Seat leakage, often resulting in unacceptable emmissions, causing loss of product and environmental pollution
Set pressure stability with superimposed back pressure Simmer of blowdown may be unacceptable Capacity reduced only with higher levels back pressure Bellows life limitations Good chemical and high temperature capabilities High maintenance costs Vulnerable to effects of inlet pressure losses Not normally able to obtain accurate, in-place set pressure verification
Conventional or Balanced Soft-Seated

Advantages Good seat tightness before relieving Good reseat tightness after relieving Low maintenance costs Limitations Temperature limited to seat material used Chemically limited according to soft goods used Limited back pressure capability
Good cycle life and maintained tightness Vulnerable to effects of inlet pressure losses
Soft-Seated, Pilot Operated - Piston Type

Advantages Smaller, lighter valves at higher pressure and/or with larger orifice sizes Excellent seat tightness before relieving Excellent reseat tightness after relieving Ease of setting and adjusting set pressure and blowdown Pop or modulating action available In-line maintenance of main valve Adaptable for remote pressure sensing
Limitations Not recommended for polymerizing type services without pilot purge Vital to match soft goods with process conditions Limited low pressure setting (about 15 psig) Not generally used in dirty services without options to eliminate introduction of particles into the pilot Code restricted by ASME Section I More wetted parts exposed to fluids. Exotic materials can result in an expensive valve.
Short blowdown obtainable Set pressure can be field tested while in service Remote unloading available Lift not effected by back pressure (when pilot discharges to atmosphere or is balanced)
Soft-Seated, Pilot Operated-Low Pressure (Diaphragm or Metal Bellows Type)

Advantages Good operation at very low set pressure (3-inch wc) Excellent seat tightness before relieving Excellent reseat tightness after relieving Ease of setting and adjusting set pressure and blowdown Pop or modulating action available Adaptable for remote pressure sensing Short blowdown obtainable Set pressure can be field tested while in service Remote unloading available Lift not effected by back pressure (when pilot discharges to atmosphere or is balanced) Fully open at set pressure with no overpressure In-line maintenance of main valve Limitations Not recommended for polymerizing type services without pilot purge Vital to match soft goods with process conditions Limited high pressure setting (about 50 psig) Liquid service limitations Not generally used in dirty services without options to eliminate introduction of particles into the pilot More wetted parts exposed to fluids. Exotic materials can result in an expensive valve.
Rupture Discs
Advantages Limitations Absolute tightness when disc is intact Relatively wide burst pressure tolerances Available in exotic materials Minimum space required Non-reclosing Can prematurely burst wtih presence of pressure pulsations
Metal-to-Metal Seated, Pilot Operated - Pressure Relief Valves

Advantages Limitations
Excellent seat tightness before relieving Excellent seat tightness after reclosing Ease of setting and adjusting set pressure and blowdown Adaptable for remote pressure sensing Short blowdown obtainable Set pressure can be field-tested while in service Excellent chemical and temperature compatibility Dual pilot option allows in-service pilot replacement
Only pop action available Pressure limited to 1200 psig Temperature limited to 1000F
*Anderson Greenwood Crosby Technical Seminar Manual, pages 55-56. (c) 2001
Control Valves **
Gate Valves
Advantages High Capacity Tight Shutoff Low Cost Little resistance to flow Recommended Uses Fully open/closed, non-throttling Infrequent operation Minimal fluid trapping in line Applications Oil Gas Air Slurries Heavy liquids
Limitations Poor Control Cavitate at low pressure drops Cannot be used for throttling
Steam Noncondensing gases Corrosive liquids Best Suited For: Frequent on-off service Processes where "instantly" large flow is needed (ie. safety systems or cooling water systems)
Globe Valves
Advantages Efficient throttling Accurate flow control valves Available in multiple ports Recommended Uses Throttling service / flow regulation Frequent operation Applications Liquids Vapors Gases Slurries Corrosive Substances Best Suited For: Liquid level or flow loops Systems where the pressure drop across the valve is expected to remain fairly constant (ie. steady state systems) Processes where large changes in pressure drop are expected Processes where a small percentage of the total pressure drop is permitted by the valve Temperature and pressure control loops Limitations High pressure drop More expensive than other valves
Ball Valves
Advantages Low cost High capacity Low leakage and maintenance Tight sealing with low torque
Limitations Poor throttling characteristics Prone to cavitation
Recommended Uses Fully open/closed, limited-throttling Higher temperature fluids Applications Most liquids High Temperatures Slurries Best Suited For: Frequent on-off service Processes where "instantly" large flow is needed (ie. safety systems or cooling water systems) Liquid level or flow loops Systems where the pressure drop across the valve is expected to remain fairly constant (ie. steady state systems)
Butterfly Valves
Advantages Low cost and maintenance High capacity Good flow control Low pressure drop Recommended Uses Fully open/closed or throttling services Frequent operation Minimal fluid trapping in line Applications
Limitations High torque required for control Prone to cavitation at lower flows
Liquids Gases Slurries Liquids with suspended solids Best Suited For: Frequent on-off service Processes where "instantly" large flow is needed (ie. safety systems or cooling water systems) Processes where large changes in pressure drop are expected Processes where a small percentage of the total pressure drop is permitted by the valve Temperature and pressure control loops

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

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Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types