Views: 0 Author: J-VALVES Publish Time: 2023-02-26 Origin: Site
In the petrochemical industry, the safety and reliability of valves are one of the key factors in ensuring production safety. Fireproof certification (such as API 607) is crucial for ensuring the performance of valves under fire conditions. Meanwhile, with the development of technology, alternative solutions to butterfly valves are constantly emerging. This article will compare the fireproof certification (API 607) of TRUNNION BALL VALVES and GATE VALVES and explore alternative solutions to butterfly valves to help practitioners in the petrochemical industry make wiser choices.
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF API 607 FIREPROOF CERTIFICATION
API 607 is a fire test standard formulated by the American Petroleum Institute (API). It mainly conducts fire performance tests on soft-sealed valves (such as BALL VALVES, BUTTERFLY VALVES, and pLUG VALVES). Its purpose is to ensure that valves can maintain their sealing performance under fire conditions and prevent the further spread of fires or the leakage of harmful substances.
(1) The Scope of Application of API 607
• Applicable Valve Types: Mainly targeting quarter-turn valves and non-metallic seat valves, such as ball valves and butterfly valves.
• Test Contents: Including the sealing performance tests of valves during and after fire exposure.
(2) The Necessity of API 607 Certification
• Safety Guarantee: Valves certified by API 607 can maintain sealing under fire conditions, reducing fire risks.
• Industry Standard: In the petrochemical industry, API 607 certification has become an important symbol of the safety performance of valves.
II. COMPARISON OF FIREPROOF CERTIFICATION BETWEEN TRUNNION BALL VALVES AND GATE VALVES
The following is the comparison between trunnion ball valves and gate valves in terms of fireproof certification (API 607):
Characteristics | Trunnion Ball Valves | Gate Valves |
Fireproof Certification Standard | API 607 (Soft-sealed ball valve) | API 607 (Soft-sealed gate valve) |
Sealing Performance | Excellent fireproof performance and can maintain sealing under fire conditions | Good fireproof performance, but the sealing performance is slightly inferior to that of ball valves |
Applicable Working Conditions | High-pressure and high-temperature environments, suitable for quick opening and closing | High-pressure and large-flow environments, suitable for long-term stable operation |
Maintenance Requirements | Simple maintenance and long service life | Higher maintenance requirements and the sealing surface is prone to wear |
Cost | Higher initial cost but lower long-term use cost | Lower initial cost but higher maintenance cost |
(1) Advantages of Trunnion Ball Valves
• Quick Opening and Closing: Ball valves can complete the opening and closing operations in a short time, which is suitable for emergency shutdown.
• Sealing Performance: The sealing performance of ball valves is excellent and can maintain sealing under fire conditions.
(2) Advantages of Gate Valves
• Large Flow: The full-bore design of gate valves makes them perform excellently in large-flow working conditions.
• High Temperature Resistance: The high temperature resistance of gate valves makes them more reliable in high-temperature environments.
III. ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO BUTTERFLY VALVES
With the development of technology, butterfly valves may no longer be the best choice in some working conditions. The following are alternative solutions to butterfly valves and their advantages and disadvantages:
(1) Ball Valves
• Advantages:
• Good Sealing Performance: The sealing performance of ball valves is better than that of butterfly valves and can effectively prevent leakage.
• Quick Opening and Closing: The opening and closing speed of ball valves is faster than that of butterfly valves, which is suitable for emergency shutdown.
• Disadvantages:
• Higher Cost: The initial cost of ball valves is usually higher than that of butterfly valves.
• Larger Size: Large-diameter ball valves have larger volumes and weights.
(2) Globe Valves
• Advantages:
• Precise Control: Globe valves can precisely control the flow and are suitable for working conditions that require fine adjustment.
• High Temperature and High Pressure Resistance: The high temperature and high pressure resistance of globe valves makes them perform excellently in harsh environments.
• Disadvantages:
• Complex Operation: The operation speed of globe valves is slow and requires a large torque.
• Large Pressure Drop: The fluid resistance of globe valves is relatively large, which may lead to a pressure drop.
(3) triple eccentric butterfly valves
• Advantages:
• Bidirectional Sealing: Triple eccentric butterfly valves achieve bidirectional sealing through eccentric design, and their sealing performance is better than that of ordinary butterfly valves.
• High Pressure Adaptability: They are suitable for working conditions of high-pressure gases and toxic media.
• Disadvantages:
• Higher Cost: The manufacturing cost of triple eccentric butterfly valves is relatively high.
• Complex Maintenance: Their structure is complex and the maintenance is difficult.
IV. SELECTION SUGGESTIONS
(1) Selecting According to Working Condition Requirements
• High-pressure and High-temperature Environments: Trunnion ball valves and gate valves are better choices, especially for working conditions that require quick opening and closing.
• Large-flow Working Conditions: The full-bore design of gate valves makes them perform excellently in large-flow environments.
• Fine Flow Adjustment: Globe valves can provide precise flow control and are suitable for working conditions that require fine adjustment.
(2) Selecting According to Fireproof Requirements
• Fireproof Certification: If the working conditions involve flammable and explosive media, it is recommended to choose valves certified by API 607.
• Sealing Performance: Under fire conditions, the sealing performance of ball valves is better than that of gate valves.
(3) Selecting According to Cost Considerations
• Initial Cost: The initial costs of butterfly valves and globe valves are relatively low, but their maintenance costs are relatively high.
• Long-term Cost: The maintenance costs of ball valves and gate valves are relatively low, and they are suitable for long-term use.
V. SUMMARY
In the petrochemical industry, choosing appropriate valves is crucial for ensuring production safety. TRUNNION BALL VALVES and GATE VALVES each have their own advantages in terms of fireproof certification (API 607). The quick opening and closing and excellent sealing performance of ball valves make them perform excellently in emergency shutdown working conditions, while the high temperature resistance and large-flow design of gate valves make them more reliable in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. Alternative solutions to butterfly valves (such as ball valves, globe valves, and triple eccentric butterfly valves) may be more suitable in some working conditions. The specific choice should be comprehensively considered according to working condition requirements, fireproof requirements, and cost factors.
