If you’re responsible for the maintenance and operation of industrial plants, then you know that using the correct valves is essential to ensure efficient and safe operations. But what do you do when your plant requires valves that can handle severe service conditions? Most valves are designed for general service, but there are times when using severe service valves is the better option.
These valves are meant for the most severe conditions, making them necessary pieces of hardware when they’re needed. This means that you can expect these highly engineered valves to be designed to handle harsher conditions, so they’re perfect for applications where reliability and performance are key.
If you’re not sure whether your application falls into the severe service category, a guide can to help you make the right decision. If you have purchasing power within your company and you need to know how to make this determination, keep reading.
The Types of Severe Service Valves To Use
Severe service valves are designed to operate in conditions that would normally damage or destroy other types of valves. They’re made to withstand severe temperatures and pressures. They can also withstand abrasions, making them ideal for use in high-demand applications.
Process Valves
Process valves control the flow of fluids and gases in industrial applications. They’re used in industries, including oil and gas, power generation, and, chemical processing. The main thing with process valves is that can outperform the standard ball valve. You can also expect them to have a high level of resiliency against slurry and chemicals. They are also resilient against heat, scale, and dry solids.
Diverter Valves
Diverter valves are often used to direct the flow of fluids or gases in an industrial application. They’re common in the food and beverage industry. You’ll also see them in pharmaceutical and chemical plants. The main thing with this option is that you can cut the chances of downtimes. This is possible with a switchable capability.
Bulk Material Valves
Bulk material valves are often used to control the flow of bulk materials. Some examples could be powders, granules, and pellets. These valves are often found in a variety of industries. Some include food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries. The purpose of them is to adapt to any type of job seamlessly. What sets the Everlasting Valve Company’s bulk material valves apart is that they are easy to install and use within multiple applications.
Boiler Valves
Boiler valves are often used to control the flow of steam and water in boilers. These valves are often used in industries like power generation and chemical processing. Since 1906, our boiler blowdown valves have maintained multiple systems that clients have used. Their origination comes from rotating disc-valve technology that is self-lapping. This is for the express purpose of boiler-blowdown use.
Scenarios That Could Indicate When They’re Needed
There are a few different scenarios when you should use severe service valves instead of general service valves. When you have a project that consists of larger mass flow rates, extremely high temperatures, or a substance that is corrosive, these are all reasons you might want to consider using a severe service valve within your processing plant.
Let’s take a look at a few key scenarios where your operations would call for these parts.
Abrasive or Corrosive Applications
If you’re working with fluids or gases that are corrosive or abrasive, you’ll need to use these valves. You could consider this to be a time that you need to start preparing with the proper tools. These types of applications may call for pressures and other conditions that are consistently fluctuating.
Extreme Temperatures
Any fluids or gases that’re at extremely high or low temperatures, may call for these valves. to be used as well. These types of valves are usually able to withstand temperatures going as high as 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
They can handle applications with temperatures as low as -400 degrees Fahrenheit. These valves are also designed to do this without leaking. This makes them great options for ensuring the integrity of their seal.
Exposure to High Pressures
Pressure is another important factor consider. If any fluids are under high pressure, this would call for severe service components being used. If you have operations that consist of significantly controlled directions a bulk material valve would be the option to get the job done.
Anything that consists of highly pressurized fluids would be an appropriate scenario where these should be used. There are multiple scenarios when it would be appropriate to use severe service valves. Whether there’s contaminated fluid, high levels of vibrations, or multi-flow gases, all of these environments could call for the need for them.
What Are the Benefits of Using Severe Service Valves in Your Piping System
As we mentioned, severe service valves can help improve the overall performance of your piping system. They can also help to reduce wear and tear on your piping system components, which can prolong the life of your system. This is also a great benefit if your plant wants ways to save money while using high-quality parts.
These valves are great ways to help to prevent or mitigate damage from corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. Severe service valves can also provide superior flow control compared to other types of valves. This can improve the efficiency of your system. These are only a few of the various benefits of using these components. They are versatile enough to be used within any engineering application as well.
Get the Parts You Need
The Everlasting Valve company is the home of the original rotating disc valve. Companies need severe service valves to ensure the safety of their operations. You can find them among an inventory of various tools you might need. The purpose that the company is built on is to help solve plant problems that cater to even the harshest conditions. Since our founding, over a century ago, we have been designing industrial valves that are proven to be stronger than their intended application.
Learn how to improve and guard your operations for safety by contacting our team today for more information.