Installation And Maintenance of Ball Valves

The valve is a control component in the fluid-conveying system. It has the functions of cut-off, regulation, diversion, prevention of reverse flow, stabilization, diversion, and adjustment of medium flow balance.

The valve is also one of the most typical pieces of equipment in the thermal system. The quality of the valve and whether the valve is selected reasonably according to the characteristics of the valve will play a decisive role in the heating quality.

Since the valves are all laid in-ground wells, they are not easy to detect because they run, leak, drip, and leak. Generally, they can only be discovered when the user complains, the inspection is found, or the equipment is damaged.

The ball valve came out in the 1950s. It is a valve that has been used more and more in thermal systems in recent years. Its superior performance is unattainable by other valves. It has no fluid resistance, is lightweight, has sealing performance, zero leakage, and opens and closes. The advantages of fast switching, free from medium erosion and long service life, have gradually gained the favor of enterprise valve selection. However, how to perform routine maintenance and repair of valves in daily operation has also become a work that cannot be ignored by heating companies.

By understanding the working principle of the valve and the characteristics of the product, as well as the operation method and troubleshooting, the relevant production operation system can be formulated in the company's normal production to ensure the safe operation of the valve equipment.

The correct use, installation, and maintenance of ball valves are very important, and it is also content that heating companies must refer to when formulating operating procedures. Scientific management and maintenance of ball valves during the construction period can not only ensure safety but also reduce construction and operation management. 

Pay attention to the following aspects:

1) Use the correct method to load and unload the valve to avoid mechanical damage to the valve. When lifting the valve, the lifting strap cannot be tied to the valve stem or actuator for lifting. If the valve is operated in violation of regulations, it will cause the valve stem to bend, the valve stem seal failure and the turbine box to be destroyed.

2) Before the valve leaves the factory, blind plates or caps should be sealed at both ends of the valve to prevent water, sand, and other impurities from entering the valve cavity during transportation and on the construction site, causing damage and corrosion to the seal.

3) At the construction site, the valves should be placed neatly and should not be placed randomly, which will cause breakage and damage to the valve drain valve or grease injection valve.

4)Before the welding construction of the fully welded ball valve, confirm that the valve is welded in the fully open position to avoid the welding spatter from causing damage to the ball and scratching the sealing surface. The welding temperature between the valve seat is controlled at 140 degrees.

5) After completing the water pressure test, the water in the valve cavity should be drained to prevent corrosion and freezing.

Valve Installation

• Ball valves can be installed in any orientation. However in bigger sizes to reduce the load on the valve caused by the actuator or gearbox trying to pull away it may be necessary to install the drive shaft vertically. Electric actuators usually require vertical installation.

• Verify the material of the ball valve body, seat, and ball before installation. Ensure that there are no defects caused by storage or transportation.

• Verify the pressure rating of the valve vs the application requirement.

• Verify the temperature rating of the valve vs the application requirement.

• Verify the valve thread (BSP, NPT, socket weld ANSI), flange (ANSI 150, ANSI 300, etc), or solvent weld (BLP schedule 40) vs the application requirement.

• Complete all welding works before valve installation and be sure the flange has cooled to ambient temperature before installing the ball valve.

• Make sure there is no welding residue, waste, rust, or other debris in the pipe before installation. Wash with water or a mild detergent if needed.

• Clean the surface of the flange or pipe thread that will come in contact with the ball valve to ensure it is free of dust and debris. Wash with water or a mild detergent if needed.

• Make sure there is no warpage of the flange or misalignment of the ball valve in relation to the flange.

• Support for the valve was necessary to reduce the load on the piping (important on the bigger valve and actuator assemblies).

• For 2-way and 3way threaded valves (BVS, BVF8, BLS3) it will be necessary for metal pipework to allow for removal of the valve for maintenance by having a pipe union installed. 3 piece threaded and 2-piece flanged ball valves can be removed for maintenance without disturbing the pipework.

• Tighten the bolts on a flanged valve one at a time doing it in stages so even pressure is applied and a seal is formed between the valve and flanges.

• Once the installation is complete, operate the valve several times to ensure it is free from impingement and rotates through its full 90-degree operation.

Daily maintenance and maintenance of ball valves

1) For ball valves, formulate periodic inspections of the valve's sealing performance and check through the drain valve. If there is internal leakage, follow the procedure.

2) According to the frequency of valve movement, inject a certain amount of grease into the valve seat. Generally, an appropriate amount of grease should be injected after the valve is moved once, and the amount of each injection is 1/8 of the sealing system, so as to avoid impurities in the pipeline to the greatest extent. The back cavity of the valve seat affects the movement of the valve seat, thereby causing seal failure, while ensuring that the sealing surface is always in a lubricated state, prolonging the service life.

3) For valves with little movement, open and close operations should be carried out once a year, and a certain amount of grease and cleaning fluid should be injected to avoid dry grinding when the ball is moving and reduce the valve operating torque.

4) Before the winter, the ball valve should be maintained. The key point is to drain the water in the valve cavity and the water in the actuator to avoid freezing and freezing in winter, which will affect the function of use.

5) Add wear-resistant grease to the valve worm gear head actuator every year, regularly check the valve stem seal, remove rust, and do external protection.

In order to improve the reliability of the valve and prolong its service life of the valve, it is very important to do early maintenance and supervision work. Many problems can be avoided by early detection and timely treatment.

Therefore, in the management and maintenance of the ball valve, not only must professional training be strengthened to ensure that the maintenance is scientific, standardized, and safe, but also the concept must be changed, preventive maintenance management, and the safety of the heating system must be ensured to ensure the heating quality.

Y Type Strainer Installation Guide And Tips

Y strainers use a perforated or welded wire strainer to filter out particles. They are most commonly seen in pressured lines carrying steam, gas, or liquid. While Y strainers are most commonly put horizontally, they can also be positioned vertically. Knowing wherein the conduit the strainer should be positioned, trying to ensure there’s room for screen extraction during cleanouts, and, most essential, aligning the direction on the strainer with the piping flow are all part of ensuring appropriate vertical assembly of Y strainers.

If you want to place your Y-strainer vertically, keep in mind that vertical Y filters should be used with pipelines that flow downward, enabling debris to flow smoothly into the pocket. There is a good likelihood that debris will flow back into the pipe if they are positioned in an upward flow.

Correctly handling strainer operation, installation, and maintenance helps guarantee that your equipment continues to function well for many years. Installation, operation, and repair of y strainers are covered in the sections beneath.

What Exactly Is A Y-Type Strainer?

Y-type filters are typically employed in liquid systems to protect downstream gear from particulate matter such as dirt, which might otherwise degrade operation if left untreated. The majority of Y-type commercial strainers are also suited for use in steam, argon gas, or air operations.

While Y-type filters can be customized to fit specific application requirements, the vast majority of Y-strainers are not. Y-type strainers are available in sizes ranging from 1/4′′ to 10′′ and are built of a variety of materials such as cast steel and iron, bronze, and AISI alloy steels. They also include a screwed or bolted lid for screen access and to ensure that process liquid is fully drained when the container is reopened.

When large amounts of debris are expected, a blowdown valve is usually put in the strainer cap, allowing the strainer to be cleaned using the pressure of the water.

Pre-Installation Procedures

Before you attach your Y strainer, either vertically or horizontally, you should double-check a few items. You must confirm that everything is in functioning order and that the equipment is within the strainer’s capability (i.e. ensure that the rating of the pressure in the Y strainer is equivalent or able to sustain the system). According to the media in your system, you may also need to ensure that the material is chemically stable.

You should examine all of the seals on the filters and pipe to ensure they are free of flaws. In addition, the pipeline should be checked for correct alignment. The pipe must be upright and not at an incline if the end connectors are bonded or threaded. Making sure the flanges on the pipeline to which the Y strainer is attached are square eliminates unnecessary stress on the equipment.

During constant operation, two adjacent sets of Y-type filtration systems for the permanent Y-type sieve must be fitted, and a shut-off valve must be provided before and after the Y-type filter In conjunction with the factors listed above, when fitting a large-diameter connector Y-type strainer, consider whether the Y-type strainer cover is non-metallic. If it is a non-metallic substance, it is easily harmed as a result of overheating, hence To shorten the welding duration, the Y-type strainer should be promptly cooled once it has been welded.

How To Install a Y Strainer In a Vertical Placement

Mounting a Y strainer (such as this one) is simple, but you must ensure that everything is properly positioned and facing the correct way.

Step 1: Install the downflow valve (if needed) at the blow-off connector in step one.

Step 2: Install a flow meter at the intake and output to guarantee optimal efficiency.

Step 3: Place the Y strainer in the pipe ahead of any devices that require safety. For instance, if the pump has to be protected, the Y strainer should be installed on the discharge side of the pump.

Step 4: Support the old pipeline with structural loads near the outlet and inlet connections before installing the Y strainer.

Step 5: The strainer’s wye end must be oriented downward. Make sure there is enough room on the strainer’s wye edge for screen extraction.

Step 6: Insert the Y strainer into the mainline, making sure that the flow indicator on the Y strainer’s body points in the path of the pipes flow.

This holds for both horizontal and vertical setups. Pipe reinforcements are recommended for the piping surrounding the inner and outer interconnections when installing a big y strainer. This helps to prevent further breaking. Because each y strainer is unique, be sure to completely read the installation documentation to make sure that the system is properly installed.

Installation Methods: Vertical vs. Horizontal

The alignment of your Y strainer will be determined by the material passing through it. It is better if your strainer is horizontally in steam or gas pipes. This prevents water from pooling inside the pocket, hence preventing erosion. If the media flowing through is fluid, it may be advantageous to install your Y strainer vertically in the pipeline, as long as the pipe permits. This stops the debris from being sucked back into the fluid flow.

Operation

Y strainers are designed to work in a range of industries. This sort of strainer benefits a variety of sectors, including cosmetics, petroleum, and food. Their main function is to remove particles from liquids and gases using their y-shaped leg. This strainer links to the main pipe and filters out undesired items in the passage. The mesh straining device within this leg collects particles and debris until it is cleaned. the strainer

Blow-off valves are sometimes included with y strainers. This automatic technique makes cleaning much easier. The use of a blow-off valve considerably reduces the requirement for human effort.

Maintenance

Y strainers, when correctly built, require very little maintenance. However, it is critical to monitor the pressure to ensure that the equipment does not become overly full. This would cause the screen to crack and necessitate its replacement. If the screen fails, it has the potential to harm the entire system, which could rapidly become a very expensive problem. The filter is easily accessible, resulting in an overall straightforward cleaning operation. Before beginning to clean and release pressure, remember to disconnect the valve connections on each side of the sieve. Empty the undesirable items and rubbish from there. Finally, wash and reinstall the mesh filter.

How to Make Your Conduit Last Longer

Understanding the device is the first step in extending the life of a y-strainer. The dependability and flexibility that characterize y strainers are dependent on the right care and maintenance that this equipment necessitates. Because they may be mounted horizontal or vertical, Y strainers are an excellent complement to many plumbing systems. Add to add the fact that they can convey steam, gas, or liquid, and they make a superb strainer. Making certain that your strainer is properly positioned inside the pipe system and facing the right direction can extend the life of your sieve and, as a result, your overall system.

Conclusion

We believe this post has helped you understand better the Y strainer’s distinctive properties and how to operate this specialist device. If you have any concerns concerning the Y-strainers we provide at YUANDA, as well as their installation, functioning, and maintenance, please contact us right away!