Chapter 7 - Valve technology

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of industrial valve technology and outlines the basic principles, types, and materials associated with valves. Industrial valves operate under many different situations. Industries with requirements for specialist valves, such as the sterile valves used in the food industry or the cobalt-free components operating in the nuclear industry, require standard commodity valves in process applications. The poor performance or failure of these valves can be expensive or even disastrous. In general, valve technology is mature, but there are still developments in materials, design, and automation to be made. The major developments in technology required by all end-user industries include reduction in fugitive emissions, noise control, improved automation, and weight savings. Major users of valves include the oil, gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries, which have a particular requirement for standalone microprocessor valve technology and actuators for remote monitoring and control of pipelines. This allows operators to acquire data, modulate and calibrate flow, control the valves, stop and start pumps and compressors, and perform emergency shut-down from a central control unit. Although the penetration of composite valves has increased in recent years, there is still a strong resistance to nonmetallic valves with specifiers continuing to prefer valves manufactured from conventional materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel. Although iron and steel castings are being widely imported from low-cost manufacturing areas, steel forgings are still made in the developed world to meet the required quality control standards.