API - Valve Standards
API - Valve Standards
When I am in an instrument and valve repair shop, I see many more control
valves than instruments, particularly with the advances in sensor
technology, transmitter intelligence, and asset management systems.
Valves are mechanical devices and as such require more maintenance.
Packings, seals, seats, and o-rings wear out. To ease maintenance, a
control valve must be located so it can be readily and safely removed from
the pipeline. However, there is much more to consider in locating a control
valve.
1
There are some really bad control valve locations that show no
understanding of the negative impact of deadtime by process and
mechanical design engineers (Tip #70). One of the worst is where there are
several vessels between the control valve and the measurement. The
residence time of the smaller vessels in series with the larger vessel
becomes deadtime. Also bad is gravity flow. Now a change in control valve
position starts a wave traveling slowly down the partially filled pipeline. For
small flows in vertical runs, the flow is a falling film causing a large and
unpredictable deadtime. The worst case of deadtime resulting from valve
location is encountered in pH control. A control valve often throttles the
reagent flow to a dip tube. The dip tube has a minimum size for structural
integrity and normal mixing rules put the dip tube down near the impeller.
Unfortunately, this creates a dip tube volume of 2 gallons. If the reagent flow
is 1 gallon per hour, when the control valve opens, it takes 2 hours for the
reagent to flush the process fluid out of the dip tube. When the control valve
closes, the reagent will continue to migrate into the process for several
hours. The solution is to have the control valve add the reagent to a high
flow recirculation line, thereby reducing the injection delay to seconds.
2
Concept: Control valves do not require much in the way of straight runs and
do not introduce appreciable delays within plants when they are in the same
pipeline as the measurement. (Long-distance oil and gas pipelines are
another story.) Valves adding flows to process equipment can cause large
injection delays or bypass mixing in the equipment. Valve location on
streams to equipment should not introduce excessive deadtime or noise.
Valve location, type, and trim should minimize flashing and cavitation and
provide safe and easy access for removal and repair. On-off valve locations
should minimize the volume to the destination when flow is stopped to
prevent totalization errors in charges.
Watch-outs: The location of the nozzle and dip tube entry points into a
vessel must not result in the flow being injected close to an exit nozzle;
thereby short circuiting inlet flow to outlet flow and bypassing the mixing in
the vessel. Throttle valves should not be used as isolation valves, and
isolation valves should not be used as throttle valves (see Tip #83). If an on-
3
off valve for batch control is not close to the flowmeter, the pipeline inventory
between the on-off valve and flowmeter can cause the charge to be
significantly different than the batch setpoint. To minimize excess charge,
the on-off valve should stroke as fast as necessary when the “close”
command is given.
Exceptions: For Coriolis meters in liquid service with no possibility of
flashing, the control valve can be located upstream of the flowmeter because
a Coriolis meter is not sensitive to velocity profile.
Insight: Control valves can cause damage to piping from cavitation and
poor control from injection delay and short circuiting.
4
2002. Presently, Greg is a part time modeling and control consultant in
Technology for Process Simulation for Emerson Automation Solutions
specializing in the use of the virtual plant for exploring new opportunities. He
spends most of his time writing, teaching and leading the ISA Mentor
Program he founded in 2011.
API SPEC 6D
Specification for Pipeline Valves. API Specification 6D is an adoption
of ISO 14313: 1999, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries-Pipeline
Transportation Systems-Pipeline Valves. This International Standard
specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design,
manufacturing, testing and documentation of ball, check, gate and plug
valves for application in pipeline systems.
API 526
Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves. The standard is a purchase
specification for flanged steel pressure relief valves. Basic requirements
are given for direct spring-loaded pressure relief valves and pilot-operated
pressure relief valves as follows: orifice designation and area; valve size
and pressure rating, inlet and outlet; materials; pressure-temperature
limits; and center-to-face dimensions, inlet and outlet.
API 527
Seat Tightness of Pressure Relief Valves R(2002). Describes methods of
determining the seat tightness of metal- and soft-seated pressure relief
valves, including those of conventional, bellows, and pilot-operated
designs.
ANSI/API STD 594
Check Valves: Flanged, Lug, Wafer and Butt-welding. API Standard 594
covers design, material, face-to-face dimensions, pressure-temperature
ratings, and examination, inspection, and test requirements for two types
of check valves.
5
API 598
Valve Inspection and Testing. The standard covers inspection,
supplementary examination, and pressure test requirements for both
resilient-seated and metal-to-metal seated gate, globe, plug, ball, check,
and butterfly valves. Pertains to inspection by the purchaser and to any
supplementary examinations the purchaser may require at the valve
manufacturer's plant.
ANSI/API 599
Metal Plug Valves - Flanged, Threaded and Welding Ends. A purchase
specification that covers requirements for metal plug valves with flanged
or butt-welding ends, and ductile iron plug valves with flanged ends, in
sizes NPS 1 through NPS 24, which correspond to nominal pipe sizes
in ASME B36.10M. Valve bodies conforming to ASME B16.34 may have
flanged end and one butt-welding end. It also covers both lubricated and
nonlubricated valves that have two-way coaxial ports, and includes
requirements for valves fitted with internal body, plug, or port linings or
applied hard facings on the body, body ports, plug, or plug port.
ANSI/API 600
Bolted Bonnet Steel Gate Valves for Petroleum and Natural Gas
Industries - Modified National Adoption of ISO 10434:1998.
API 602
Compact Steel Gate Valves - Flanged, Threaded, Welding, and
Extended-Body Ends. The standard covers threaded-end, socket-
welding-end, butt-welding-end, and flanged-end compact carbon steel
gate valves in sizes NPS4 and smaller.
ANSI/API 603
Corrosion-Resistant, Bolted Bonnet Gate Valves - Flanged and Butt-
Welding Ends. The standard covers corrosion-resistant bolted bonnet
gate valves with flanged or butt-weld ends in sizes NPS 1/2 through 24,
corresponding to nominal pipe sizes in ASME B36.10M, and Classes 150,
300, and, 600, as specified in ASME B16.34.
ANSI/API 607
Fire Test for Soft-Seated Quarter Turn Valves. The standard covers the
requirements for testing and evaluating the performance of straightway,
soft-seated quarter-turn valves when the valves are exposed to certain
fire conditions defined in this standard. The procedures described in this
standard apply to all classes and sizes of such valves that are made of
materials listed in ASME B16.34.
API 609
Butterfly Valves: Double Flanged, Lug- and Wafer-Type. The standard
covers design, materials, face-to-face dimensions, pressure-temperature
ratings, and examination, inspection, and test requirements for gray iron,
ductile iron, bronze, steel, nickel-base alloy, or special alloy butterfly
6
valves that provide tight shutoff in the closed position and are suitable for
flow regulation.
API 6FA
Specification for Fire Test for Valves. The standard covers the
requirements for testing and evaluating the performance of API Spec 6A
and Spec 6D valves when exposed to specifically defined fire conditions.
API 6FC
Fire Test for Valve with Automatic Backseats. The standard covers the
requirements for testing and evaluating the performance of API Spec 6A
and Spec 6D valves with automatic backseats when exposed to
specifically defined fire conditions.
API 6RS
Referenced Standards for Committee 6, Standardization of Valves and
Wellhead Equipment.
API 11V6
Design of Continuous Flow Gas Lift Installations Using Injection Pressure
Operated Valves. The standard sets guidelines for continuous flow gas lift
installation designs using injection pressure operated valves.
ANSI/API RP 11V7
Recommended Practice for Repair, Testing, and Setting Gas Lift Valves.
The standard applies to repair, testing, and setting gas lift valves and
reverse flow (check) valves.
API 520-1
Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-Relieving Devices in
Refineries: Part I - Sizing and Selection. The recommended practice
applies to the sizing and selection of pressure relief devices used in
refineries and related industries for equipment that has a maximum
allowable working pressure of 15 psig (1.03 bar g or 103 kPa g) or
greater.
API 520-2
Recommended Practice 520: Sizing, Selection, and Installation of
Pressure-Relieving Devices in Refineries-Part II, Installation. The
recommended practice covers methods of installation for pressure-relief
devices for equipment that has a maximum allowable working pressure of
15 psig (1.03 bar g or 103 kPa g) or greater. It covers gas, vapor, steam,
two-phase and incompressible fluid service.
ANSI/API 574
Inspection Practices for Piping System Components. The standard covers
the inspection of piping, tubing, valves (other than control valves) and
fittings used in petroleum refineries.
ANSI/API 576
Inspection of Pressure Relieving Devices. The recommended practice
7
describes the inspection and repair practices for automatic pressure-
relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industries.
ANSI/API 608
Metal Ball Valves - Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends. The standard covers
Class 150 and Class 300 metal ball valves that have either butt-welding
or flanged ends and are for use in on-off service.
Related Documents
API - American Petroleum Institute
An overview of ASTM International - American Society for Testing and Materials - valve
standards.
Chinese valve standards compared with the international ISO, ASTM , ASME, ANSI, MSS,
API and JIS standards.
8
Japanese industrial valve standards and specifications from JAS - the Japanese Standards
Association.
Manufacturers Standardization Society - MSS - of the Valve and Fittings Industry - valve
standards.
Categories of valves.
Operating temperatures for typical categories of valves - ball valves, butterfly valves and
more.
ASME A105/105M
Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for piping applications
ASME A181/181M
Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for General purpose piping
ASME A182/182M
Standard Specification for forged or rolled alloy-steel pipe flanges, forged fittings and
valves and parts for high-temperature service
ASME A727/727M
Standard specification for carbon steel forgings for piping components with inherent
notch toughness
ASME A961
Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Steel Flanges, Forged Fittings,
valves, and Parts for Piping Applications
ASME B16.10
Face to Face and End-to-End Dimensions of Valves
9
ASME B16.34
Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End
ASME B462
Standard Specification for Forged or Rolled UNS N08020, UNS N08024, UNS
N08026, UNS N08367, and UNS R20033 Alloy Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and
Valves and Parts for Corrosive High-Temperature Service
ASME B834
Standard Specification for Pressure Consolidated Powder Metallurgy Iron-Nickel-
Chromium-Molybdenum (UNS N08367) and Nickel- Chromium Molybdenum
Columbium (Nb) (UNS N06625) Alloy Pipe Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts
ASME D5500
Standard Test Method for Vehicle Evaluation of Unleaded Automotive Spark-ignition
Engine Fuel for Intake Valve Deposit Formation
ASME F885
Standard Specification for Envelope Dimensions for Bronze Globe Valves NPS 1/4 to
2 El-1996 R(1996)
ASME F992
Standard Specification for Valve Label Plates El-1997 R(1997)
ASME F993
Standard Specification for Valve Locking Devices El-1997 R(1997)
ASME F1020
Standard Specification for Line-Blind Valves for marine Applications El-1996 RI'1996)
ASME F1098
Standard Specification for Envelope Dimensions for Butterfly Valves - NPS 2 to 24 EI-
1993 R(1993)
ASME F1271
Standard Specification for Spill Valves for Use in Marine Tank Liquid Overpressure
Protections Applications EI-1995 R (1995)
ASME F1370
Standard Specification for Pressure Reducing valves for Water Systems, Shipboard
ASME F1508
Standard Specification for Angle Style, Pressure Relief Valves for Steam, Gas, and
Liquid Services
ASME F1565
Standard Specification for Pressure-Reducing Valves for Steam Service
ASME F1792
Standard Specification for Special Requirements for Valves Used in Gaseous Oxygen
Service
ASME F1793
Standard Specification for Automatic Shut-Off Valves (Also Known as Excess Flow
Valves, EFV) for Air or Nitrogen Service
ASME F1794
Standard Specification for Hand operated, Globe-Style Valves for Gas (Except
Oxygen Gas), and Hydraulic Systems
ASME F1795
Standard specification for Pressure-Reducing Valves for Air or Nitrogen Systems
ASME A230
Standard specification for steel wire oil - tempered carbon valve spring quality
ASME A232
Standard specification for chromium - vanadium alloy steel valve spring quality
10
ASME A350
Standard specification for forged or rolled carbon and alloy steel flanges forged fittings
and valves and parts for low - temperature service
ASME A338
Standard specification for ultrasonic examination of heavy steel forgings
ASME A694
Standard specification for forgings carbon and alloy steel for pipe flanges fittings
valves and parts for high - pressure transmission service
ASME A404
Standards specification for forged or rolled alloy - steel pipe flanges forged fittings and
valves and parts specially heat treated for high temperature service
ASME A522
Forged or rolled 8% and 9% nickel alloy steel flanges fittings valves and parts for low -
temperature service
ASTM International - American Society for Testing and Materials - valve standards:
ASTM A126-04
Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Pipe Fittings
ASTM A182/A182M-04
Standard Specification for Forged or Rolled Alloy-Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings,
and Valves and Parts for High-Temperature Service
ASTM A338
Standard Specification for Malleable Iron Flanges, Pipe Fittings, and Valve Parts for
Railroad, Marine, and Other Heavy Duty Service at Temperatures Up to 650�F
(345�C)
ASTM A522/A522M-01
Standard Specification for Forged or Rolled 8 and 9% Nickel Alloy Steel Flanges,
Fittings, Valves, and Parts for Low-Temperature Service
ASTM A694/A694M-03
Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Forgings for Pipe Flanges, Fittings,
Valves, and Parts for High-Pressure Transmission Service
ASTM A961-04
Standard Specification for Common Requirements for Steel Flanges, Forged Fittings,
Valves, and Parts for Piping Applications
ASTM A988/A988M
Standard Specification for Hot Isostatically-Pressed Stainless Steel Flanges, Fittings,
Valves, and Parts for High Temperature Service
11
ASTM A989/A989M
Standard Specification for Hot Isostatically-Pressed Alloy Steel Flanges, Fittings,
Valves, and Parts for High Temperature Service
ASTM B61-2
Standard Specification for Steam or Valve Bronze Castings
ASTM B763
Standard Specification for Copper Alloy Sand Castings for Valve Application
ASTM B834
Standard Specification for Pressure Consolidated Powder Metallurgy Iron-Nickel-
Chromium-Molybdenum (UNS N08367) and Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum-
Columbium (Nb) (UNS N06625) Alloy Pipe Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts
ASTM C1129
Standard Practice for Estimation of Heat Savings by Adding Thermal Insulation to
Bare Valves and Flanges
ASTM F885
Standard Specification for Envelope Dimensions for Bronze Globe Valves NPS 1/4 to
2
ASTM F992
Standard Specification for Valve Label Plates
ASTM F993
Standard Specification for Valve Locking Devices
ASTM F1020
Standard Specification for Line-Blind Valves for Marine Applications
ASTM F1030
Standard Practice for Selection of Valve Operators
ASTM F1098
Standard Specification for Envelope Dimensions for Butterfly Valves-NPS 2 to 24
ASTM F1271
Standard Specification for Spill Valves for Use in Marine Tank Liquid Overpressure
Protections Applications
ASTM F1370
Standard Specification for Pressure-Reducing Valves for Water Systems, Shipboard
ASTM F1394
Standard Test Method for Determination of Particle Contribution from Gas Distribution
System Valves
ASTM F1565
Standard Specification for Pressure-Reducing Valves for Steam Service
ASTM F1792
Standard Specification for Special Requirements for Valves Used in Gaseous Oxygen
Service
ASTM F1793
Standard Specification for Automatic Shut-Off Valves (Also Known as Excess Flow
Valves, EFV) for Air Or Nitrogen Service
ASTM F1794
Standard Specification for Hand-Operated, Globe-Style Valves for Gas (Except
Oxygen Gas), and Hydraulic Systems
ASTM F1795
Standard Specification for Pressure-Reducing Valves for Air or Nitrogen Systems
ASTM F1802
Standard Test Method for Performance Testing of Excess Flow Valves
ASTM F1970
Standard Specification for Special Engineered Fittings, Appurtenances or Valves for
12
use in Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) or Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC)
Systems
ASTM F1985
Standard Specification for Pneumatic-Operated, Globe-Style, Control Valves
ASTM F2138
Standard Specification for Excess Flow Valves for Natural Gas Service
ASTM F2215
Standard Specification for Balls, Bearings, Ferrous and Nonferrous for Use in
Bearings, Valves, and Bearing Applications
ASTM F2324
Standard Test Method for Prerinse Spray Valves
ISO 683-15:1992
Heat-treatable steels, alloy steels and free-cutting steels; part 15: valve steels for
internal combustion engines
ISO 4126-1:2004
Safety devices for protection against excessive pressure - Part 1: Safety valves
ISO 4401:1994
Hydraulic fluid power - Four-port directional control valves - Mounting surfaces
ISO 4411:1986
Hydraulic fluid power; Valves; Determination of pressure differential/flow
characteristics
ISO 4422-4:1997
Pipes and fittings made of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) for water supply -
Specifications - Part 4: Valves and ancillary equipment
ISO 5208:1993
Industrial valves; pressure testing of valves
ISO 5209:1977
General purpose industrial valves; Marking
ISO 5210:1991
Industrial valves; multi-turn valve actuator attachments
ISO 5211:2001
Industrial valves - Part-turn actuator attachment
SO 5599-1:2001
Pneumatic fluid power - Five-port directional control valves - Part 1: Mounting
interface surfaces without electrical connector
ISO 5599-2:2001
Pneumatic fluid power - Five-port directional control valves - Part 2: Mounting
interface surfaces with optional electrical connector
13
ISO 5599-3:1990
Pneumatic fluid power; five-port directional control valves; part 3: code system for
communication of valve functions
ISO 5752:1982
Metal valves for use in flanged pipe systems; Face-to-face and center-to-face
dimensions
ISO 5781:2000
Hydraulic fluid power - Pressure-reducing valves, sequence valves, unloading valves,
throttle valves and check valves - Mounting surfaces
ISO 5996:1984
Cast iron gate valves
ISO 6002:1992
Bolted bonnet steel gate valves
ISO 6182-1:2004
Fire protection - Automatic sprinkler systems - Part 1: Requirements and test methods
for sprinklers
ISO 6182-2:1993
Fire protection; automatic sprinkler systems; part 2: requirements and test methods
for wet alarm valves, retard chambers and water motor alarms
ISO 6182-3:1993
Fire protection; automatic sprinkler systems; part 3: requirements and test methods
for dry pipe valves
ISO 6182-4:1993
Fire protection; automatic sprinkler systems; part 4: requirements and test methods
for quick-opening devices
ISO 6182-5:1995
Fire protection - Automatic sprinkler systems - Part 5: Requirements and test methods
for deluge valves
ISO 6263:1997
Hydraulic fluid power - Compensated flow-control valves - Mounting surfaces
ISO 6264:1998
Hydraulic fluid power - Pressure-relief valves - Mounting surfaces
ISO 6403:1988
Hydraulic fluid power; valves controlling flow and pressure; test methods
ISO 6552:1980
Automatic steam traps; Definition of technical terms
ISO 6553:1980
Automatic steam traps; Marking
ISO 6554:1980
Flanged automatic steam traps; Face-to-face dimensions
ISO 6704:1982
Automatic steam traps; Classification
ISO 6948:1981
Automatic steam traps; Production and performance characteristic tests
ISO 7121:1986
Flanged steel ball valves
ISO 7244:1984
Air distribution and air diffusion; Aerodynamic testing of dampers and valves
ISO 7259:1988
Predominantly key-operated cast iron gate valves for underground use
ISO 7368:1989
Hydraulic fluid power; two-port slip-in cartridge valves; cavities
14
ISO 7508:1985
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) valves for pipes under pressure; Basic
dimensions; Metric series
ISO 7714:2000
Agricultural irrigation equipment - Volumetric valves - General requirements and test
methods
ISO 7790:1997
Hydraulic fluid power - Four-port modular stack valves and four-port directional control
valves, sizes 02, 03 and 05 - Clamping dimensions
ISO 7841:1988
Automatic steam traps; determination of steam loss; test methods
DIN ISO 7967-3:1993
Reciprocating internal combustion engines; vocabulary of components and systems;
valves, camshaft drive and actuating mechanisms
ISO 8233:1988
Thermoplastics valves; torque; test method
ISO 8242:1989
Polypropylene (PP) valves for pipes under pressure; basic dimensions; metric series
ISO 8659:1989
Thermoplastics valves; fatigue strength; test method
ISO 9393-1:2004
Thermoplastics valves for industrial applications - Pressure test methods and
requirements - Part 1: General
ISO 9393-2:1997
Thermoplastics valves - Pressure test methods and requirements - Part 2: Test
conditions and basic requirements for PE, PP, PVC-U and PVDF valves
ISO 9635:1990
Irrigation equipment; hydraulically operated irrigation valves
ISO 9644:1993
Agricultural irrigation equipment; pressure losses in irrigation valves; test method
ISO 9911:1993
Agricultural irrigation equipment; manually operated small plastics valves
ISO 9952:1993
Agricultural irrigation equipment; check valves
ISO 10418:2003
Petroleum and natural gas industries - Offshore production installations - Basic
surface process safety systems
ISO 10423:2003
Petroleum and natural gas industries - Drilling and production equipment - Wellhead
and Christmas tree equipment,
ISO 10497:2004
Testing of valves - Fire type-testing requirements
ISO 10522:1993
Agricultural irrigation equipment; direct-acting pressure-regulating valves
ISO 10631:1994
Metallic butterfly valves for general purposes
ISO 10931-4:1997
Plastics piping systems for industrial applications - Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) -
Part 4: Valves
ISO 10933:1997
Polyethylene (PE) valves for gas distribution systems
15
Valve Abbreviations
US valve abbreviations commonly used in drawings and
documentation.
Valve Abbreviations
BB Bolted Bonnet
BC Bolted Cap
BV Ball Valve
CV Check Valve
DD Double Disc
DI Ductile Iron
FE Flange End
FF Flat Face
FLG Flange
FTTG Fitting
FW Flexible Wedge
16
Valve Abbreviations
HF Hard Faced
HW Handwheel
GV Gate Valve
MJ Mechanical Joint
RF Raised Face
RS Rising Stem
SB Silver Brazed
SE Solder End
17
Valve Abbreviations
TB Threaded Bonnet
TE Threaded End
TC Threaded Cap
UB Union Bonnet
UC Union Cap
The suitability of a valve for a particular application is decided by the materials used in
relation to the conveyed fluid as well as its mechanical design. The table below can be
used as a valve selection guide.
18
Valve Selection Guide
Rotary ball
Plug
Diaphragm
Butterfly
Plug gate
Neutral
(Water, Oil, etc)
Globe
Butterfly
Diaphragm
Needle
Gate
Plug gate
Rotary ball
On/Off
Plug
Corrosive
Diaphragm
(Acid, alkaline etc.)
Butterfly
Globe
Butterfly
19
Valve Selection Guide
Plug gate
Butterfly
On/Off
Diaphragm
Butterfly
Hygienic
(Food, beverages, drugs etc)
Diaphragm
Control valve, modulating
Squeeze
Pinch
Rotary ball
Butterfly
Diaphragm
On/Off
Plug
Pinch
Slurry Squeeze
Butterfly
Diaphragm
Pinch
Gate
20
Valve Selection Guide
Diaphragm
On/Off,
Squeeze
Control valve, modulating
Pinch
Gate
Globe
Plug
Diaphragm
Neutral
(Air, Steam etc)
Globe
Needle
Gate
Butterfly
Rotary ball
On/Off
Diaphragm
Corrosive
(Acid vapors, chlorine etc.)
Plug
Butterfly
Control valve, modulating
Globe
21
Valve Selection Guide
Needle
Diaphragm
Gate
Globe
Vacuum On/Off
Rotary ball
Butterfly
Pinch
Spiral sock
Solids Pinch
Gate
Lubricating powder (graphite, talcum, On/Off,
etc Control valve, modulating
Spiral sock
Squeeze
22
Safety Valve Standards
A. D. Merkblatt A2 Pressure Vessel Equipment safety devices against excess pressure - safety valves
Technical Equipment for Steam Boilers Safeguards against excessive pressure - safety valves
TRD 421
Germany for boilers of groups I, III & IV
Technical Equipment for Steam Boilers Safeguards against excessive pressure- safety valves
TRD 721
for steam boilers group II
Part 1 specification for safety valves for steam and hot water
United Kingdom,
BS 6759 Part 2 specification for safety valves for compressed air and inert gas
UK
Part 3 specification for safety valves for process fluids
AFNOR NFE-E
Safety and relief valves
29-411 to 416
France
Korea KS B 6216 Spring loaded safety valves for steam boilers and pressure vessels
Japan JIS B 8210 Steam boilers and pressure vessels - spring loaded safety valves
Safety valves, other valves, liquid level gauges and other fittings for boilers and unfired
Australia SAA AS1271
pressure vessels
ANSI/ASME PTC
Safety and Relief Valves - performance test codes
25.3
USA
Sizing selection and installation of pressure relieving devices in refineries, Part 1 Design, Part 2
API RP 520
Installation
23
Safety Valve Standards
Europe EN ISO 4126 Safety devices for protection against excessive pressure
Flow Measurement
Flow metering principles - Orifice, Venturi, Flow Nozzles, Pitot Tubes, Target,
Variable Area, Positive Displacement, Turbine, Vortex, Electromagnetic,
Ultrasonic Doppler, Ultrasonic Time-of-travel, Mass Coriolis, Mass Thermal,
Weir V-notch, Flume Parshall and Sluice Gate flow meters and more.
• Temperature Measurement
Instruments
Measurements
American National Standards Institutes schedule for safety colors marking physical
hazards.
The logarithmic decibel scale is convenient when adding signal values like sound power,
pressure and others from two or more sources.
The relationship between control valve capacity and valve stem travel is known as
Trim design of the valve affects how the control valve capacity changes as
the valve moves through its complete travel. Because of the variation in trim
design, many valves are not linear in nature. Valve trims are instead
designed, or characterized, in order to meet the large variety of control
application needs. Many control loops have inherent non linearity's, which
may be possible to compensate selecting the control valve trim.
25
Inherent Control Valve Flow Characteristics
The most common characteristics are shown in the figure above. The percent of flow
through the valve is plotted against valve stem position. The curves shown are typical of
those available from valve manufacturers. These curves are based on constant pressure
drop across the valve and are called inherent flow characteristics.
The majority of control applications are with valves with linear, equal-percentage, or
modified-flow characteristics.
When valves are installed with pumps, piping and fittings, and other process equipment,
the pressure drop across the valve will vary as the plug moves through its travel.
When the actual flow in a system is plotted against valve opening, the curve is called
the Installed Flow Characteristic.
26
In most applications, when the valve opens, and the resistance due to fluids flow
decreases the pressure drop across the valve. This moves the inherent characteristic:
Butterfly valves
Screw down stop valves
Gate valves
Liquids - clear up to sludges and sewage
Lubricated plug valves
Diaphragm valves
Pinch valves
Butterfly valves
Pinch valves
Slurries and liquids with solids Gate valves
Screw down stop valves
Lubricated plug valves
Slurry - a thin mixture of a liquid like water and finely divided substances, such as
cement or clay particles
Sludge - a semi-solid slurry. Wastewater solids are also referred to as sludge.
27
Valves Types - Operating Size Ranges
Types of valves and their typical operating sizes.
Ball 6 1220 48
Butterfly 50 2 1830 72
Slide 50 2 1900 75
Pinch 25 1 305 12
28
Valves Types - Operating Size Ranges
Needle 3 1/8 25 1
Valve Standards
This standard applies to the sizing and selection of pressure relief devices used
in refineries and related industries for equipment that has a maximum allowable
working pressure of 15 psig (103 kPag) or greater.
The pressure relief devices covered in this standard are intended to protect
unfired pressure vessels and related equipment against overpressure from
operating and fire contingencies.
This standard includes basic definitions and information about the operational
characteristics and applications of various pressure relief devices. It also
includes sizing procedures and methods based on steady state flow of
Newtonian fluids. Pressure relief devices protect a vessel against overpressure
only; they do not protect against structural failure when the vessel is exposed
to extremely high temperatures such as during a fire. See API 521 for
information about appropriate ways of reducing pressure and restricting heat
input.
API RP 520
Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-Relieving Devices in
Refineries-Part II, Installation.
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This standard describes methods of determining the seat tightness of metal-
and soft-seated pressure relief valves, including those of conventional, bellows,
and pilot-operated designs.
API RP 574
Inspection Practices for Piping System Components.
API RP 576
Inspection of Pressure-relieving Devices.
API Recommended Practice 576 describes the inspection and repair practices
for automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and
petrochemical industries. As a guide to the inspection and repair of these
devices in the user's plant, it is intended to ensure their proper performance.
This publication covers such automatic devices as pressure-relief valves, pilot-
operated pressure-relief valves, rupture disks, and weight-loaded pressure-
vacuum vents.
The scope of this RP includes the inspection and repair of automatic pressure-
relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industry. This
publication does not cover weak seams or sections in tanks, explosion doors,
fusible plugs, control valves, and other devices that either depend on an
external source of power for operation or are manually operated. Inspections
and tests made at manufacturers' plants, which are usually covered by codes
or purchase specifications, are not covered by this publication.
This publication does not cover training requirements for mechanics involved
in the inspection and repair of pressure-relieving devices. Those seeking these
requirements should see API 510, which gives the requirements for a quality
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control system and specifies that the repair organization maintain and
document a training program ensuring that personnel are qualified.
This standard includes requirements for valves fitted with internal body, plug,
and port linings or applied hard facings on the body, body ports, plug, and plug
port. The extent of linings and the facing materials of which they are made are
not covered in this standard.
This standard also provides additional requirements for plug valves that are in
full conformance to the requirements of ASME B16.34 for Standard Class 150
through 2500. Ductile iron valves, Class 150 and 300, shall follow the additional
requirements of ASME B16.42 for pressure-temperature ratings, wall
thickness, flange dimensions, and material grade.
Plug valves covered in this standard belong to one of four general design
groups that in many cases have different face-to-face and end-to-end
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dimensions. Some types of plug valves are not made to all patterns. The four
groups of valve design are described below.
The standard nomenclature for valve parts is shown in Annex B. Figure B.1,
Figure B.2, Figure B.3, and Figure B.4 illustrate typical plug valve designs and
are not to be construed as precluding other available designs that comply with
the requirements of this standard. The only purpose of these figures is to
identify part names. The construction of a valve is acceptable only when it
complies with this standard in all respects.
nominal pipe sizes NPS1/4, NPS 3/8, NPS 1/2, NPS 3/4, NPS 1, NPS
1.1/4, NPS 1.1/2, NPS 2, NPS 2.1/2, NPS 3, and NPS 4
corresponding to nominal sizes DN 8, DN 10, DN 15, DN 20, DN 25, DN
32, DN 40, DN 50, DN 65, DN 80, and DN 100
Class 800 is not a listed class designation, but is an intermediate class number
widely used for socket welding and threaded end compact valves.
bolted bonnet
outside screw and yoke
rising stems
non-rising handwheels
single or double gate
wedge or parallel sealing
metallic seating surfaces
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flanged or butt-welding ends
Annex B illustrates a bolted bonnet gate valve for the purpose of establishing
standard nomenclature for valve parts.
This standard specifies the requirements for metal ball valves suitable for
petroleum, petrochemical, and industrial applications that have..
flanged ends in sizes DN 15 through DN 600 (NPS 1/2 through NPS 24)
butt welding ends in sizes DN 15 through DN 600 (NPS 1/2 through NPS
24)
socket welding ends in sizes DN 8 through DN 50 (NPS1/4 through NPS
2)
threaded ends in sizes DN 8 through DN 50 (NPS1/4 through NPS 2)
full bore
single reduced bore
double reduced bore
This standard applies to floating (seat-supported) ball (Figure B.1) and trunnion
ball valve designs (Figure B.2). These figures are to be used only for the
purpose of establishing standard nomenclature for valve components - other
floating and trunnion designs also exist. This standard establishes additional
requirements for ball valves that are otherwise in full conformance to the
requirements of ASME B16.34, Standard Class.
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API Spec 6D
Specification for Pipeline Valves.
It is the purpose of this document to establish the requirements for testing and
evaluating the pressure-containing performance of API Specs 6A amd 6D
valves when exposed to fire. The performance requirements of this document
are intended to establish standard limits of acceptabliltyregardless of size or
pressure rating.This document establishes acceptable levels for leakage
through the test valve and also external leakage after exposure to a fire for a
30 minute time perioud. The burn period has been established on the basis
that it represents the maximun time required to extinguish most fires. Fires of
greater duration are considered to be of a major magnitude with consequences
greater than those anticipated in this test. This standard covers the
requirements for testing and evaluating the performance of API Specs 6A and
6D valves when exposed to specifically defined fire conditions. However, this
standard is not intended to cover check valves or end connections.
This document establishes the requirements for testing and evaluating the
pressure-containing performance of API Specification 6A and API Specification
6D automatic backseating valves when exposed to fire. The performance
requirements of this document are intended to establish standard limits of
acceptability regardless of size or pressure rating.
This document establishes acceptable levels for leakage through the test valve
and also external leakage after exposure to a fire for a 30-minute time period,
both before and after reworking the stuffing box. The burn period has been
established on the basis that it represents the maximum time required to
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extinguish most fires. Fires of greater duration are considered to be of a major
magnitude with consequences greater than those anticipated in this test.
API 6RS
Referenced Standards for Committee 6, Standardization of Valves and
Wellhead Equipment.
API RP 11V6
Design of Continuous Flow Gas Lift Installations Using Injection
Pressure Operated Valves.
Intended to set guidelines for continuous flow gas lift installation designs using
injection pressure operated valves. The assumption is made that the designer
is familiar with and has available data on the various factors that affect a
design.
API RP 11V7
Recommended Practice for Repair, Testing, and Setting Gas Lift Valves.
Applies to repair, testing, and setting gas lift valves and reverse flow (check)
valves. It presents guidelines related to the repair and reuse of valves; these
practices are intended to serve both repair shops and operators. The
commonly used gas pressure-operated bellows valve is also covered. Other
valves, including bellows charged valves in production pressure (fluid) service
should be repaired according to these guidelines.
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