What are the largest maintenance issues for valves?

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Permalink Reply by Norvicute on January 28, 2009 at 5:27am

What are the largest maintenance issues for valves? When the valve does not performs his purpose (to block the passage) in single term - "LEAKAGE" it is the main problem valves has. Determining leakage for valves is quite difficult and critical some repairs cannot do it on field. Some reason will be crack or gasket or others and most of leakage cannot easily determine in the field.

What makes a valve efficient? When the performs his purpose (to block the passage). Proper selection must be taken care of, there are several types and classes of valves. Certain types of valves serve certain functions.

Does it have same maintenance issues as pumps? Most of the pumps are not that operational as pumps hence valve life or mean time between repair is not a big issue as the pump.

hope helps even though it just a brief one....

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Permalink Reply by Greg Broschka on February 3, 2009 at 10:12am

Degree of maintenance will much depend on the type of valve, and its application. Some factors determining an efficient valve include:
1) the valve design & tolerances which can affect seal life and operating life
2) materials of construction including proper selection of gasket, elastomers, polymers, metals
3) manufacturing process including good surface finishes, free of burrs, quality threads, etc.
4) selecting the right type and right size of valve for the application, and operating within the design limits
5) cartridge valves are meant for easier installation and repair compared to inline style valves

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Permalink Reply by Charli Matthews, Pumps & Systems on February 3, 2009 at 1:55pm

Thank you! These are very helpful insights into the maintenance of valves. We have an article in the March issue that will discuss alot of the same problems. Thanks for letting me know we are on the right track! Charli

Greg Broschka said:

Degree of maintenance will much depend on the type of valve, and its application. Some factors determining an efficient valve include:
1) the valve design & tolerances which can affect seal life and operating life
2) materials of construction including proper selection of gasket, elastomers, polymers, metals
3) manufacturing process including good surface finishes, free of burrs, quality threads, etc.
4) selecting the right type and right size of valve for the application, and operating within the design limits
5) cartridge valves are meant for easier installation and repair compared to inline style valves

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Permalink Reply by Jim Penhale on February 9, 2009 at 5:53am

Increasingly there are concerns with fugitive emissions on valves, and (in a refinery at least) they're checked during the same rounds that pump seals are. And, if leaking, the same protocols for attentuating the problem exists. Typically they stem is pulled and they're repacked, but if that doesn't work then you have to come up with a plan "B". Sometimes you can inject a sealant into the packing chamber to seal it (works well for valves that are generally not opend or closed very often) but if that doesn't work you can get into replacement of a valve that works simply for fugitive emissions problems. Sometimes they can be rebuilt, but other times maybe not.

Emissions criteria are tightening up all the time, and I think it's going to be more and more a problem.

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