Motorized actuated Valves versus Gear Operated Valves

[Sawsan311]

Dear all,

depending on the nature of the process application including the frequency of operation of valves and the number of turns required for opening and closing a valve, the requirement to have motorized actuated valves arise. However, based on you experience is there any criteria for having MOVs against gear operated valves with respect to:
1- number of turns affected by size and pressure class rating
2- Manning intensity (torque criteria)
3- valve size

Some Good Engineering practices follow 16'' as the typical size for MOVs however, I have seen high pressure applications having 8'' valves progressively difficult to operate with respect to having more than 100 turns for example

appreciate your valuable inputs

 

[danschwind]

I think in the end it boils down to company practices and frequent of operations.

If you ask an operator if he wants a manual or motorized valve he will always say that he wants a motorized valve. But installing a motorized valve on a valve that will open/close 1 time per week kinda becomes dull with the added costs and maintenance.

Recently I was requested to add motors to valves that will see operation 1 time per year

Daniel
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

 

[mk3223]

May refer to the OSHA requirement and the Company guidelines for the safety design for the MOV valve design criteria over the manual operator valve, such as:

- Maximum force required limit to 100 lbs-force or less based on the valve location and operating distance
- Maximum of 100 turns for human endurance limit
- Maximum five minutes turning limit per person

Also, in additional to MOV valve, Pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are the alternatives to be considered.

 

[LittleInch]

Another aspect really should be valve purpose and usage.

So s valve to be used to change operation or protect equipment should be closed in 30 secs or less and usually actuated.

An isolation valve used once a year or less, gear operated. You can also provide actuators which you can plug in external motors if the operators complain.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Sawsan311]

Thank you All