Fire safe testing of HP BFV 3

[mrctchlr]

Our company wants to let an institute (SwRi) to perform a fire safe test according to API 607 and BS 6755 on our high performance butterfly valve. I have to prepare the test valves. They have to be deliverd installed between pipe.

My Question is: "How do i get the flanges tight?"

During test the bolts will extend stronger due expore to fire then the flanges/valve body. When lekkage (along the flange) occurs the test is considerd "failed" and shall be stopped. Gone $3000 per valve.

Who has dealed with this issue before and please answer ASAP.

Many thanks in forward.

Marco

 

[jay165]

ASME PCC-1 2000 is a standard for flange bolting including tightening procedures and recommended torques for different bolt sizes.

 

[NGiLuzzu]

Marco,
of course end flange leakage must be avoided; but if this occurs, in my opinion, it should not be considered as a VALVE failure. In fact, according to API 607 (see para. 4.2.1), this event cannot be classified as an “external leakage” of the valve, but it must be assimilated to a “leakage at the piping-to-valve end connections”.

Anyway, what is the material of the valve body?

If it is stainless steel, for example, one my Colleagues (our "Metals Expert&quot would suggest bolts in ASTM A453 Grade 660, Class A or B (see the relevant standard, named "Standard Specification for High temperature Bolting Materials, with Expansion Coefficients Comparable to Austenitic Stainless Steels").
Alternatives: Inconel 625 or Grade B16.

Hope this helps, 'NGL

 

[jsummerfield]

There are several HP BFV designs. Some engineers avoid through bolted valves in hydrocarbon service. Thus, only lugged or cap-screw wafer style valves would be considered for hydrocarbon wafer valves. In my opinion - if the valve pattern uses bolts that extend from the matching flanges through the valve without threads in the body you can forget about it.

John

 

[mirdcchang]

As I know, you weld the pipe onto the testing valve. The SwRI welcome you do that to avoid any unnecessary problem. That is not the real leakage, but avoid any confuse suituation happening.

 

[scalleke]

It's true that the flange leakage is not considered as valve leakage, but how does one make the difference?

Welding the pipes to the valve is a sollution but takes so much time.

We have in the pas used Belleville washers on the flange bolting (many) to make sure that a compressive force remains on the end flanges. Works fine.

Best regards.

Scalleke

 

[yarmouthmatt]

Our laboratory does not require that you send the valves already flanged and we have not had flange leak problems.