As a professional who works with industrial valves, an $80 billion industry, you know how crucial every facet of your machinery is. You need to understand the comprehensive inner workings of each component. That&#;s why you must know whether a gate valve is open or closed.
The good news is that this article can help you learn exactly that. This can be of particular value if you&#;ve recently or plan to upgrade to a new gate valve.
Below is everything you need to know about gate valves and how they operate. We&#;ll cover the step-by-step process of determining whether it&#;s open or closed. Keep reading to learn precisely how a gate valve works.
Gate valves are industrial valves used for on/off applications where fluid needs to be turned on or off in a pipeline or process. They are commonly used in various industries, including water supply systems, oil, and gas, chemical and petrochemical plants, power generation, etc.
The primary purpose of gate valves is to provide a quick and reliable method of controlling the flow of fluids in a pipeline or process. They feature a sliding gate mechanism that either fully opens or fully closes the valve, making them suitable for applications where precise regulation of fluid flow is not required.
Gate valves are also known for their durability and ability to withstand high pressures and temperatures. They are designed to provide a tight seal when fully closed, preventing fluid from flowing through the valve when it&#;s not needed.
Gate valves are relatively easy to operate and maintain, making them popular in industrial settings where reliability and efficiency are paramount. Let&#;s look at the different industrial valves and their relation to gate valves.
Ball valves are commonly used in industrial applications. They&#;re ideal for their ease of operation, low maintenance requirements, and versatility.
They consist of a ball with a hole in the middle. This rotates by a lever or wheel to control fluid or gas flow through the valve.
Ball valves are popular because they have a fast response time. They can also handle high pressures and temperatures, and they are helpful in a wide range of industries.
One common application of ball valves is in the oil and gas industry. Here, they control the flow of crude oil, natural gas, and other fluids through pipelines.
They&#;re also in chemical and petrochemical plants, where they can handle corrosive and hazardous fluids. In water treatment plants, ball valves control water flow through the system, and in HVAC systems, they manage the flow of air or water through heating and cooling equipment.
Cast steel valves are widely used in industrial applications to handle high temperatures and pressures. Pouring molten steel into a mold can create the desired shape of these valves.
Cast steel valves offer a range of benefits, including durability, strength, and resistance to wear and tear. These valves can be helpful in various industries, such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, power generation, and refining.
One of the most common applications of cast steel valves is in the oil and gas industry. These valves regulate the flow of oil and gas through pipelines and storage tanks.
They can also be ideal for refineries, where they control the flow of crude oil and other petroleum products. Cast steel valves are also used in power plants, where they handle the flow of steam and other fluids through the various stages of power generation.
Forged steel valves are solid and durable valves that can handle high temperatures and pressures. These valves are made by shaping heated steel under pressure, resulting in a more robust and reliable valve than cast steel valves.
Forged steel valves offer excellent corrosion resistance, ideal for harsh and corrosive environments. They can be found in various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, and refining.
They&#;re also used in power plants, where they control the flow of steam and other fluids through the various stages of power generation. Forged steel valves are also used in chemical and petrochemical plants, where they can handle corrosive and hazardous liquids.
Wellhead valves are a type of valve used in the oil and gas industry to control the flow of fluids from a wellhead. These are installed at the top of the wellhead to regulate the flow of oil, gas, and other fluids during production. They can handle high pressures and temperatures, making them suitable for harsh and challenging environments
Wellhead valves play a critical role in the oil and gas production process. They control the flow of fluids during drilling and completion operations and production. In addition, wellhead valves are also used to shut down the well in case of an emergency, such as a blowout or a fire.
Wellhead valves come in different types, such as gate, ball, and check valves. They are made from stainless steel, carbon steel (the most common material for industrial valves), and high-performance alloys. The selection of the correct wellhead valve depends on the specific application and the conditions for its use.
Operating machinery with a closed gate valve can cause significant damage and safety hazards. The blockage of fluid flow can result in excessive pressure build-up in the system, potentially leading to pipe rupture, equipment damage, or even explosion.
It can also decrease efficiency and productivity, as the equipment may not operate optimally. In addition to the potential physical damage, operating machinery with a closed gate valve can also cause financial losses due to downtime for repairs, replacement of equipment, and lost production time.
Knowing the position of gate valves is crucial for maintaining the safety and efficiency of industrial processes. You must understand whether a gate valve is open or closed.
Gate valves have several external indicators that can help determine whether they are open or closed. These indicators include a stem, handle, and position indicator.
The stem of a gate valve is a rod that connects the valve gate to the valve handle. When the handle is rotated, the stem moves the gate to either open or close the valve.
For Outside Stem & Yolk (OS&Y) Gate Valves, the valve stem rises above the handle providing a visual indication of the valve&#;s open position. When the stem is flush with the handle, the valve is closed.
For Non-Rising Stem (NRS) Gate Valves, the handle will rise above the valve when open. The valve is closed when the handle is flush to the top of the valve.
Some gate valves also have a position indicator, a device that shows the valve&#;s position through a window or dial. This provides a more precise way to determine whether the valve is open or closed.
When the valve is open, the gate is completely retracted into the body, allowing fluid to flow freely through the valve. Conversely, with a closed valve, the gate is fully extended across the valve body, blocking fluid flow through the valve.
By inspecting the position of the valve stem, or the handle, operators can determine whether the valve is open or closed. This visual indicator provides an additional layer of assurance when operating gate valves in industrial settings, ensuring fluid flow is adequately regulated and controlled.
When fluid flows through piping, audible sounds of the fluid may be present. When it&#;s open, fluid will flow freely through the valve in the direction indicated by the pipeline.
On the other hand, when the valve gate is blocking fluid flow, possible audible sounds from the piping may be heard. This method can be advantageous when dealing with gate valves with a broken stem, malfunctioning position indicators, or handle mechanisms.
When the valve is open, pressure readings on both sides of the valve will be equal, indicating that fluid is flowing freely through the valve. Otherwise, pressure readings on the upstream side of the valve will be higher than those on the downstream side, indicating that the valve gate is blocking fluid flow.
When a gate valve opens, the visual position indicator shows the gate fully retracted into the body. In contrast, the indicator shows that the gate is fully extended across the valve body, blocking fluid flow.
The position indicator offers a convenient and reliable way to determine the position of the gate valve without having to conduct a visual inspection or monitor pressure. This can be particularly beneficial when operating valves in remote or hazardous locations, allowing operators to quickly and easily verify the position of the valve.
Remote monitoring systems allow operators to monitor the position of gate valves from a centralized location. These systems use sensors and control mechanisms to provide real-time data on valve position, including whether the valve is open or closed.
A computer or mobile device can let operators access the data they need, allowing them to quickly determine the status of valves in remote or hazardous locations. In addition, remote monitoring systems can provide alerts when valves are not in their expected position, allowing operators to take quick corrective action.
Contacting a qualified technician or supervisor is best if you&#;re unsure about the valve&#;s position. Attempting to operate a valve without proper knowledge or training can be dangerous and result in equipment damage or personal injury.
A qualified technician or supervisor can guide how to determine the valve&#;s position and operate the machinery safely. They can also perform maintenance on the valve and provide any necessary repairs or replacements to ensure that the valve operates safely and effectively. Overall, it&#;s always better to seek professional help when in doubt about the operation of gate valves or any other industrial machinery.
Working with gate valves involves some safety risks. That&#;s why it&#;s crucial to follow safety precautions and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risks. Here are some essential safety precautions to consider:
At this point, you should know how to tell if a gate valve is open or closed. You&#;re prepared to troubleshoot your industrial piping and machinery whenever something arises.
Before operating your new gate valve, you must ensure you&#;re sourcing it from the most reliable supplier. They can offer you advice, crucial information, and more to ensure that your valves are working in the best condition.
That&#;s where we at DHV Industries can be of service. Take the time to contact us now to learn more about how our industrial valves could be the right ones for you.
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Cv vs Position in a Gate Valve
thread408- Forum Search FAQs Links MVPsForum
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(Petroleum)
(OP)
18 Aug 21 16:40 thread408-: Cv vs Position in a Gate ValveCan anybody help me on how to estimate Cv vs %open in a gate valve?The mate of the closed thread has done that, and I´d like to know how...
(Mechanical)
19 Aug 21 12:33As stated in the thread you refenced this is not a good idea as you are likely to damage your valve as well as downstream equipment by using it to control flow for an extended period of time. A gate valve should be used as an on/off valve. If you need to control flow or pressure it is highly recommended that you use a control valve of one variety or another. Why do you need a Cv for incremental opening of a gate valve?
The responses in your linked thread were pretty clear to me. There is no single empirical formula to do this as it is situational. The documents most conductive to you learning about calculating Cv and flow in general are Crane TP410 and the Fisher Control valve handbook. Those two books will explain more than any individual in this forum can. That being said here are my suggestions on how to go about this. The Cv will be roughly proportional to the cross sectional area exposed to flow. If half of the circular area is exposed the Cv would be roughly equivalent to 50% of the full open Cv. You won't get a ton of position/Cv accuracy, but it should give you a rough estimate of how it is changing. Another method if you have a characteristic curve for a similar valve is to scale it to the full Cv of your specific vale. The most accurate way as previously mentioned is to test your valve.
(Petroleum)
19 Aug 21 14:20@eduardo the old tread gave you refernces i googled the one mentioned and found a scanned copy with the resistance curve mentioned. Then theres only some footwork left...Handbook of Hydraulic resistance by IdelchikBest regards, Morten
--- Best regards, Morten Andersen
(Mechanical)
21 Aug 21 02:35You might do the calculation to get a number of Cv per valve disc opening as an "information".
But, IMO, it won't be able to apply it for the real flow pattern on the gate valve similar to that of the globe valve.
(Mechanical)
11 Sep 21 19:38Just workout the open area of the disc against the seat then plug those figures into the calculations from Crane?? The area will vary depending on what type of gate valve you&#;re thinking of, I.e. a circle closing over a circular area will create a crescent shaped area.
Just need to be a bit smart about how you calculate the Cv from the crane equations&#;
As previously mentioned in the thread this should only be for information not as a means of using a gate valv to control the fluid.
(Mechanical)
24 Sep 21 21:58you can't calculate it. closest is empirical testing / ANSYS simulation, you are not taking into consideration of any of the turbulence which comes with non fully opened gate valves. which wouldn't matter after the valve breaks.
Luke | Valve Hax | https://valvehax.com/
(Chemical)
1 Oct 21 21:12Assuming you're using a gate to take any significant pressure drop for an extended period, it soon will have a significantly nonzero leakage when fully closed due to gate chatter against the seat.
(www.spitfireresearch.com)
(Mechanical)
3 Oct 21 17:19Summary of all posts above reflects my experience through many years:1. You should under all circumstances select a regulating valve for regulating.2. You might use a gate valve to regulate a flow, but always under very limited conditions regarding flow speed and pressure differences.3. You might try to calculate a result, but have to check the result 'in the field'.4. The valve will be damaged (most likely by cavitation) if calculated or operated outside possible limits.
(Chemical)
12 Nov 21 19:01it is really difficult to do.... it better installed a control valve to do the job.horacio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lagotuy/
(Chemical)
12 Nov 21 19:39Gate valves are fairly linear.
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