Steam Valve - butterfly 1

[WilliamTz]

Hello,
Does anyone know the manufacturer of a good quality steam rated butterfly valve both manual and actuated (open/close)
It is for a hot water system with water at 140degC. I have used valves rated to 150degC in the past but they seem to fail after a couple of years hence I would like to go for a steam rated valve. Stop valves and globe valves and gates valves appear very bulky and expensive. The application is a boiler heating system
Regards
W

 

[Danlap]

Hello WillamTz,

I presume when you’re looking for “good” manufacturer, meaning that they will engineer your valve properly and put their best effort in terms of quality as part of their daily work aptitude.
And hopefully solve your previous problem(s) with this new butterfly valve.
There are number of butterfly valve manufacturer who can do that, but for sure they will ask what is the requirement, previous problem(s), material used, P/T rating, flow and is this pure boiler feed water in combination with other corrosive medium, etc.??
And also what do you mean by bulky? Face to face dimension of ball and globe valve is bigger than butterfly valve? Most of the time, yes, but is this part of your constraint?
Weight is also part of your consideration? Can extra piping support to be added?

Problem of valves generally consist of three things: Internal passing (in close position), external leaking and stuck
You mention after several years problem occurred, and steam boiler heating system
First of all what is your valve size and class?
Passing?
What is your leakage criteria? As per ISO 5208/API 598/etc.?
In the previous butterfly valve, did the Disc got eroded? What kind of material applied? Was disc and seat hard faced or laminated? And what type of butterfly valve (zero offset, double offset or triple offset)? Lug type, wafer type or double flange?

And many other parameters should be floored when engaged to manufacturer.
Triple offset butterfly valve was patented by ADAMS in the early 80’s, and until now they still produce a quite good consistent butterfly valve. And between 80’s and now, Vanessa (now Pentair now Emerson) also ok.
But even these guys and others cannot solve the problem with such limited information.

Why butterfly valve? Putting the disc in the flow regime where the medium is abrasive. Of course this is doable and common practice, but it will have lifetime and some effort (read: price) consequences to apply specific material and more. And shall you dont like the (smaller face to face) butterfly valve, it will requires some effort in the future to interchange the piping layout to install another type of valve.

Good luck,
Regards,
MR

https://nosuchvalve.com

All valves will last for years, except the ones that were poorly manufactured; are still wrongly operated and or were wrongly selected

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?&rat1=2&fid=376

 

[mk3223]

The valve selection can be based on the size and service condition. And, all type of valve as mentioned are used in the hot water as well as the steam application. The body size of the different types may be different, but the cost could be similar. The selection may be depended on the space issue or the control function required.

 

[gerhardl]

I fully agree with the posts above. But let me add that one of your previous problems, (among many other passible causes), could be the sealing ability to resist deforming and change of elasticity near (and possibly above) the temperature limit over time.

In this way looking for valves qualified for steam, might be a good solution.

Try looking for one of the worlds leading companies for steam components and have a look at the valve assortment for steam, and search advice there. Tip: these companies are also (most often) leading producers of steam-traps and easily found that way.

 

[MJCronin]

I have specified Jamesbury (now METSO)wafer-seal valves for steam service. They have been providing these valves for steam service for decades.

Long valve life is is all about proper seal selection and valve operation

DO NOT EXPECT LONG LIFE IF YOUR OPERATORS EXPECT TO OPERATE BUTTERFLY STEAM VALVES IN THROTTLING SERVICE AT >80+% CLOSED. These valves do best in on-off service

http://www.buyjamesbury.com/literature/butterfly-valve-bulletin.pdf

You may need to operate a combination both butterfly and those bulky, nasty globe valves in your system.

Do not expect to save money when purchasing any high-performance butterfly valve .....



MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer