What are Severe Service Valves?
06-03-24
What are Severe Service Valves?
Severe service valves (SSVs) are mechanical devices used in applications that withstand extreme pressure, temperatures, and other harsh conditions. They are for diverse purposes and highly versatile. You can choose from isolation, non-return, and control valves that differ in function. Service valves are also made of highly abrasive and corrosive-free materials that increase the longevity of the pipeline.
The valves are diverse in functionality, application, and type, giving you more options for your industrial piping systems. Most operators of the SSVs consider aspects such as flow rate, valve size, efficiency, and functionality before selecting the best that fits their needs for reliability and high performance in severe heat and pressure conditions. They should also consider the safety of the valves during diverse applications. Read on to find out more about the severe service valves.
Features of Severe Service Valves
- High-quality materials: The service valves are made of high-quality and durable materials that are corrosion—and abrasion-resistant, including alloys, stainless or structural steel, and Inconel. The tough body and bonnet protect systems from the harshest corrosive environments.
- The valves are of unique and robust designs: Control, isolation, and non-return SSVs have reinforced and specialized coatings, with ceramic and Teflon coatings that preserve the structural integrity of the piping system.
- Metal, graphite, spring-loaded, and pressure-energized seals offer the best sealing that ensures tight shut-off to prevent leakages.
- Have exotic trim materials
- They have anti-clog designs that prevent clogs in the system for efficient flow.
- Electric and hydraulic actuators and automation systems such as sensors and positioners control pressure and flow rate.
Types of Severe Service Valves
The SSVs are versatile valves that come in different sizes, forms, and shapes, and they include:
Control Valves
SSV control valves are the most common fluid control valves in harsher industrial conditions and are suitable for diverse applications. They are responsible for taking energy from the pipelines as they control the flow rate, temperatures, and pressure.
The highly efficient and durable valves can be manifolds, double block and bleed, or ball valves for completely shutting off liquid flow. They work perfectly in severe service conditions, including autoclave let-downs, minimum flow recycling, and slurry control. SSV control valves are also applicable in engine test stands and turbine by-passes.
Self-lapping Rotating Disc Valve
You can also opt for self-lapping rotating disc valves because of their strength, durability, reliability, and toughness. They can easily handle dry, abrasive, and extremely hot catalysts and materials. The valve has a rotating disc that undergoes self-lapping to create a tighter sealing mechanism that prevents leaks efficiently.
Isolation Valves
These valves differ from control SSVs because of the energy they retain due to their static nature. The valves, which include globe, gate, and ball valves, operate efficiently in different scenarios, including low-frequency normally open and low-frequency normally closed. They are also optimal in frequency, normally closed and open.
Isolation SSVs help operators isolate equipment in the systems during shutdowns and maintenance processes. Such valves are efficient in most emergencies because they can automatically stop flows that can cause severe damage to the environment. Isolation valves perform best and longest in upsets and during severe conditions that require isolation, such as catalyst, fire isolation valves, delayed coking, hydrocracking, and high-pressure slurry block.
Bulk Material Valves
These valves efficiently regulate bulk materials and solids, such as powders and pellets, in most industrial operations, including drug or food processing industries. The valves are easy to install for diverse purposes. Such bulk material valves are not limited to slide gates, rotary airlocks, pinches, balls, butterflies, and diverter valves.
The service valves are durable due to their corrosion and abrasion resistance. They are safe and efficient at controlling materials under high pressure and temperatures. Bulk material valves come in diverse sizes and capacities that can handle different flow rates and volumes of solids.
Non-return or Check Valves
Other severe service valves are check valves, which are industry-specific for delaying and reducing the energy in the system to prevent pump damage, catastrophic failures, and inefficiencies. They have zero leakage performance in severe conditions of extreme temperature and pressure. Check valves are also best for withstanding corrosion in pipelines and processes.
Safety Valves
These SSVs are best for industrial systems to prevent catastrophic accidents or damages caused by over-pressurization. They automatically release excessive pressure that exceeds the optimal limits. The valves activate the moment the internal pressure in the system rises to abnormal levels.
Safety valves are efficient in protecting industrial and commercial equipment and processes to ensure the safety of workers and businesses from explosions caused by over-pressurization.
Advantages of Severe Service Valves
- The valves made from high-quality materials, including alloy and stainless steel, have numerous benefits that include:
- SSVs are efficient and perfect for challenging environments.
- They can withstand unbearable conditions, high pressure, and extreme temperatures for the longest.
- The valves are of unique designs that can handle higher flow rates.
- They resist and control erosion, flashing, and cavitation.
- Improves the overall efficiency of the piping system
- Have a lower risk of damage, corrosion, and wear and tear.
- They have special coatings that avert surface hardness and preserve the pipes for longevity.
- The SSVs enhance safety in pipeline systems as they can quickly stop the flow of liquids during an emergency through their automatic shut-off.
- They have lower maintenance needs, making them cost-effective.
Limitations of the Service Valves
- SSVs rely on humans for efficient operation, implying they cannot work without an operator.
- Detecting problems in the severe service valves can take a while, leading to additional issues that can be hard to fix.
- Do not monitor the pressure and temperature of the fluids in the pipes.
Applications of Severe Service Valves
- Service valves are the best for diverse heavy-duty applications in businesses and industries, including;
- HVAC systems, such as the outdoor compressor unit
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies
- Power generation
- Oil and refinery industry
- Petrochemical and chemical manufacturing
- Extreme engineering applications
- Nuclear power plants
- Aerospace
- Chemical processing industries
- Wastewater treatment plants
- Mineral processing
- For shipbuilding, hydrocarbons, and offshore drilling in marine.
Contact Us Today for Severe Service Valves!
Everlasting Valve Company is the one to call when you want original and efficient service valves. We are the designers of most industrial valves that can withstand harsher conditions, such as extremely high pressures and temperatures, in industrial setups.
Our ground-level experts will help you get high-quality and durable valves that can work harder than normal valves. They take the time to learn and understand the unique valve needs of your industrial environment to provide the most efficient valves that reduce downtime and maintenance costs. Call our certified and qualified professionals for unique valve options suitable for severe service conditions.