Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Pressure Relief Valves * The following summary of Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) type advantages and limitations is offered to provide relative information. The summary is not intended to be an absolute list of valve pros and cons. Otherwise unacceptable valve types might be used if the following circumstances dictate: specific application prior experience available commercial and special valve configurations various optional accessories for pilot operated valves rupture disc in series with the PRV special valve location

Weighted Pallet Type Advantages Low Cost Very low set pressures available (down to 0.5 ounce/in2) Simple Limitations Set Pressure not readily adjustable Extremely long simmer and poor tightness High overpressure necessary for full lift (100% or more in some cases) Seat easily frozen closed at cryogenic temperatures

Conventional Metal-Seated Advantages Lowest Cost (in smaller sizes and lower pressures) Wide chemical compatibility High temperature compatibility Limitations Seat leakage, often resulting in lost product and unacceptable emissions, causing environmental pollution Simmer and blowdown adjustment is a compromise, which may result in intolerable leakage, product loss and high maintenance costs Vulnerable to effects of inlet prssure losses

Standardized center to face dimensions (API Sensitive to effects of back pressure (set pressure and 526) capacity) Modulating action during small pressure relief excursions may result in reduced product loss General acceptance for most applications Not normally able to obtain accurate, in place set pressure verification

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Balanced Bellows, Metal-Seated Advantages Protected guiding surfaces and spring Set pressure stability with superimposed back pressure Capacity reduced only with higher levels back pressure Limitations Seat leakage, often resulting in unacceptable emissions, causing loss of product and environmental pollution Simmer of blowdown may be unacceptable Bellows life limitations

Good chemical and high temperature High maintenance costs capabilities Vulnerable to effects of inlet pressure losses Not normally able to obtain accurate, in-place set pressure verification

Conventional or Balanced Soft-Seated Advantages Good seat tightness before relieving Good reseat tightness after relieving Limitations Temperature limited to seat material used Chemically limited according to soft goods used

Good cycle life and maintained tightness Vulnerable to effects of inlet pressure losses Low maintenance costs Limited back pressure capability

Soft-Seated, Pilot Operated - Piston Type Advantages Smaller, lighter valves at higher pressure and/or with larger orifice sizes Excellent seat tightness before relieving Excellent reseat tightness after relieving Ease of setting and adjusting set pressure and blowdown Pop or modulating action available In-line maintenance of main valve Adaptable for remote pressure sensing Short blowdown obtainable Set pressure can be field tested while in service Limitations Not recommended for polymerizing type services without pilot purge Vital to match soft goods with process conditions Limited low pressure setting (about 15 psig) Not generally used in dirty services without options to eliminate introduction of particles into the pilot Code restricted by ASME Section I More wetted parts exposed to fluids. Exotic materials can result in an expensive valve.

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Remote unloading available Lift not effected by back pressure (when pilot discharges to atmosphere or is balanced)

Soft-Seated, Pilot Operated-Low Pressure (Diaphragm or Metal Bellows Type) Advantages Good operation at very low set pressure (3-inch wc) Excellent seat tightness before relieving Excellent reseat tightness after relieving Ease of setting and adjusting set pressure and blowdown Pop or modulating action available Adaptable for remote pressure sensing Short blowdown obtainable Set pressure can be field tested while in service Remote unloading available Lift not effected by back pressure (when pilot discharges to atmosphere or is balanced) Fully open at set pressure with no overpressure In-line maintenance of main valve Limitations Not recommended for polymerizing type services without pilot purge Vital to match soft goods with process conditions Limited high pressure setting (about 50 psig) Liquid service limitations Not generally used in dirty services without options to eliminate introduction of particles into the pilot More wetted parts exposed to fluids. Exotic materials can result in an expensive valve.

Rupture Discs Advantages Limitations

Absolute tightness when disc is intact Relatively wide burst pressure tolerances Available in exotic materials Minimum space required Non-reclosing Can prematurely burst wtih presence of pressure pulsations

Metal-to-Metal Seated, Pilot Operated - Pressure Relief Valves Advantages Excellent seat tightness before relieving Excellent seat tightness after reclosing Ease of setting and adjusting set pressure and blowdown Limitations Only pop action available Pressure limited to 1200 psig Temperature limited to 1000F

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Adaptable for remote pressure sensing Short blowdown obtainable Set pressure can be field-tested while in service Excellent chemical and temperature compatibility Dual pilot option allows in-service pilot replacement

Control Valves Gate Valves Advantages High Capacity Tight Shutoff Low Cost Little resistance to flow Recommended Uses Fully open/closed, non-throttling Infrequent operation Minimal fluid trapping in line Applications Oil Gas Air Slurries Heavy liquids Steam Non-condensing gases Corrosive liquids Best Suited For: Frequent on-off service Processes where "instantly" large flow is needed (ie. safety systems or cooling water systems) Limitations Poor Control Cavitate at low pressure drops Cannot be used for throttling

Globe Valves Advantages Efficient throttling Limitations High pressure drop

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Accurate flow control valves More expensive than other valves Available in multiple ports Recommended Uses Throttling service / flow regulation Frequent operation

Applications Liquids Vapors Gases Slurries Corrosive Substances Best Suited For: Liquid level or flow loops Systems where the pressure drop across the valve is expected to remain fairly constant (ie. steady state systems) Processes where large changes in pressure drop are expected Processes where a small percentage of the total pressure drop is permitted by the valve Temperature and pressure control loops

Ball Valves Advantages Low cost High capacity Low leakage and maintenance Tight sealing with low torque Recommended Uses Fully open/closed, limited-throttling Higher temperature fluids Applications Most liquids High Temperatures Slurries Limitations Poor throttling characteristics Prone to cavitation

Advantages and Limitations of Valve Types

Best Suited For: Frequent on-off service Processes where "instantly" large flow is needed (ie. safety systems or cooling water systems) Liquid level or flow loops Systems where the pressure drop across the valve is expected to remain fairly constant (ie. steady state systems)

Butterfly Valves Advantages Low cost and maintenance High capacity Good flow control Low pressure drop Recommended Uses Fully open/closed or throttling services Frequent operation Minimal fluid trapping in line Applications Liquids Gases Slurries Liquids with suspended solids Best Suited For: Frequent on-off service Processes where "instantly" large flow is needed (ie. safety systems or cooling water systems) Processes where large changes in pressure drop are expected Processes where a small percentage of the total pressure drop is permitted by the valve Temperature and pressure control loops Limitations High torque required for control Prone to cavitation at lower flows