Compromising on quality when purchasing gate valves commonly leads to early replacement when the gate valve inevitably fails. The solution to decreasing total lifecycle costs, as outlined in our previous article titled “The Hidden Costs of Gate Valves”, is to use high-quality gate valves that last longer and have lower maintenance costs. This two-part guide will help you to recognize what makes a quality product stand out among the many gate valve options on the market. Part 1 covers pre-purchase quality checks, valve body & coating checks, and checks related to the wedge, wedge nut, and wedge guides.
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Before making any purchases, you can confirm if a manufacturer’s gate valve meets some basic quality criteria essential to long service lifetimes:
Confirm the gate valve meets or exceeds code and standard requirements by checking:
Does the manufacturer have a proven track record of longevity? Hawle for example, still has gate valves functioning after over 50 years of underground service?
Of the two most commonly used materials, GJS400-15 ductile iron offers double the elongation at break over GJS500-7. The improved ductility of this valve makes it less prone to cracking and improves long-term durability. Gate valves made using GJS400-15 are typically heavier because they use increased wall thickness to compensate for the slightly lower tensile strength.
Steel bolts easily corrode, causing them to “stick” which complicates bonnet removal during maintenance or potentially causing the bolts to break when put under stress. Galvanized bolts are more resilient to corrosion than plain steel, but stainless steel bolts are the most resilient and are the best option for gate valve longevity.
Visually inspect the gate valve for surface irregularities from the casting process, such as pores or grooves. The internal and external valve surfaces should be smooth, especially along the length of the wedge guides. Ensure that the surfaces of the bonnet flange are machined by running a finger along them. If they are left as-cast and not machined, the bonnet gasket might be squeezed unevenly, resulting in premature failure and leakage.
Tip: Advanced checks
For those that want to be certain their gate valve body is top quality, the following expert inspection checks can be performed:
Conduct testing on the bonding strength and the impact strength of the valve’s protective coating. Coating quality is highly dependent on the coating material, coating process used, and surface preparation. As a baseline standard, GSK specifies that coatings must have a minimum bonding strength of 12 N/mm² or greater. For best-case long-term performance, however, Hawle recommends aiming for a bond strength of at least 18 N/mm².
The first part of this guide covers a number of basic, advanced, and expert inspection checks to determine if a gate valve body and wedge components are of high-quality make and will perform well in service. From materials selection to processing methods, and from standards and testing compliance to intelligent design, selecting the right gate valve can make all the difference to your business but improving service life and decreasing lifecycle costs. Read Part 2 of this guide to learn more about the gate valve’s spindle and seals and to see a brief recap of the whole inspection process.
Several problems, including the sale of remanufactured and poor-quality valves, plague the industrial valve industry. These issues put engineering safety at serious risk and may result in excessive downtime and accidents.
Therefore, industrial valve purchases must be well thought out to guarantee dependable and secure operations. This article lists six crucial variables to consider when buying valves for industrial applications.
Verifying a valve’s precise usage and environment before purchasing is essential. Valves can be used to regulate pressure, control flow, or isolate equipment, among other things.
Understanding the valve's intended application aids in choosing the right type, size, and design to satisfy operational requirements successfully.
It is crucial to consider the general criteria particular to the application while buying valves. This involves evaluating the valve's operating circumstances, including pressure and temperature ranges, the type of media being handled (liquids, gases, or slurries), and any unique environmental concerns.
Understanding these elements ensures the selected valve can endure the circumstances and work at its best. The following are some general guidelines for valves that you should remember:
Choose the type of valve best for your application. Ball, gate, globe, butterfly, and check valves are common valve types. Each variety has unique qualities and is suitable for various uses.
Specify the suitable valve size based on your system’s flow rate and pipe dimensions. Valves come in various sizes, usually in inches or millimeters.
Consider the operating pressure in your system when choosing a valve, and select one with a pressure rating that is higher than or equal to the needed pressure. In most cases, pressure ratings are given in pounds per square inch (psi) or bars.
Consider the range of temperatures across which the valve will function and select a valve that can withstand those conditions. Different substances and building techniques are appropriate for various temperature ranges.
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Check the valve's material to ensure it is compatible with the liquid or gas passing through it. Different substances, such as PVC, brass, bronze, or stainless steel, offer differing corrosion resistance and compatibility with various media.
Consider your system's flow requirements when choosing a valve, such as whether you need one that can turn on and off or throttle and regulate flow. Specific flow control applications suit some valves better than others.
Choose the appropriate end connections for your piping system. Fittings that are threaded, flanged, welded, or compressed are examples of common types. Verify that the valve's end connections meet the needs of your system.
Consider if you need a manually operated valve or one that can be automated using actuators or control systems for operation and actuators. Applications requiring frequent operation, precision, or remote control are good candidates for actuated valves.
Depending on your application's demands, ensure the valve complies with pertinent industry standards like ANSI, API, ISO, or particular certifications like NSF, UL, or ATEX.
Consider the ease of maintenance, the accessibility of replacement parts, and the reputation of the supplier or manufacturer for technical assistance and post-purchase support.
In industrial settings, various corrosive, erosive, and abrasive chemicals are exposed to valves. The material requirements for the valve shell and its internal components must be examined.
The material selection should be appropriate for handling the media to avoid early wear, leakage, or failure. When choosing the valve, chemical compatibility, thermal resistance, and mechanical strength should be carefully considered.
In terms of industrial applications, safety comes first and foremost. Confirming that the valves being purchased adhere to the necessary safety requirements and pipeline laws is crucial.
Following these guidelines ensures a safe and legal working environment by reducing the possibility of leaks, equipment breakdowns, and potential hazards.
Based on the application’s needs, it is crucial to determine the performance criteria for valves, including sealing performance and leakage rates.
To safeguard the valves during shipping and handling, consideration should also be paid to the packing and transportation requirements. Protective coatings can be required to prevent corrosion if the valves are exposed to hostile environments.
It is crucial to confirm the quality of the valves through meticulous testing to guarantee their dependability and longevity. It also entails determining if the valves adhere to the necessary design specifications.
Ball valves, for instance, must follow API6D, while butterfly valves must follow API609. Quality testing should cover various topics, including material integrity, dimensional accuracy, and functional performance, to ensure the valves satisfy the necessary criteria.
It's essential to consider the performance specifications of valves before buying them and to ensure they adhere to established industry standards. Sealing performance requirements and protective coating needs are two important things to consider.
Performance Requirements for Sealing: Valves must adhere to strict sealing regulations to ensure operating effectiveness and prevent leaks. To suit the unique requirements of your application, factors including sealing grade and sealing leakage should be carefully examined.
It is essential to conduct quality testing on valves to guarantee their dependability and efficiency. Valve makers frequently conduct extensive testing processes to ascertain whether the valves adhere to the design criteria.
API6D for ball valves and API609 for butterfly valves are a few examples of design standards that are frequently utilized.
Several things must be considered when buying valves for industrial applications to guarantee dependable and secure operations. Engineers and procurement experts can make well-informed selections and choose valves that best meet their unique application needs by carefully assessing the use, general requirements, material compatibility, safety regulations, performance criteria, and quality testing.
Dombor: Your Trusted Valve Solution Supplier
Dombor is a reputable supplier that offers a one-stop purchasing solution for industrial valves. We ensure that customers can discover the ideal valves for their particular applications by offering various valves created to fulfill the needs of various industries. Dombor offers pre-sale consulting services to help customers choose the best valves for their needs while providing invaluable technical advice.
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