PF Valves for reciprocating compressors

PF
reliability.

Dresser-Rand used more than a century of valve design and manufacturing experience to develop the highly efficient and reliable PF valve. The PF valve can be applied to all reciprocating compressors, both lube and non-lube, and is compatible with virtually any gas. It can also be used with port, plug and finger unloaders. PF valves have been providing superior performance in reciprocating compressors since the early 1980s. Two design features that contribute to the PF valves superior performance are a proprietary blend of PEEK used for the plate material, and a patented plate design. PF Valve Plates were designed with scalloped edges to address the most common mode of ported plate fatigue failure outer edge fracture. This type of

failure most commonly occurs because the plate does not always travel parallel to the seat, making the plate's outer edge the initial point of contact. Dresser-Rands patented design lowers the level of stress the valve plate is subjected to during operation. The scalloped region increases the crosssectional area of the plate that is most prone to failure. This geometry forces the plate to initially impact the enhanced cross-sectional area. Lab and field tests have shown that the scallop-shaped plate can operate up to three times longer than conventional circular plates. Hi-Temp is Dresser-Rand's proprietary blend of PEEK that provides long life in both lubricated and non-lubricated operations.

Valves
provide maximum efficiency while maintaining excellent

The primary cause of metallic valve plate fatigue failure is the high impact against the stop-plate upon opening. Plate failures often cause further damage to valve springs, seats and guards, which in turn cause cylinder damage. The result may be costly unscheduled compressor shutdowns. Hi-Temp's durability reduces the risk of these failures. Its physical and thermal properties deliver improved dependability under harsh service conditions, while maintaining resistance to dirt and corrosion. With its improved impact strength, Hi-Temp can safely withstand as much as twice the impact velocities of metal plates.

Figure 1 Common failure of circular ported plate

Figure 2 Dresser-Rands patented scalloped valve plate

features
Scalloped valve plates Hi-Temp PEEK plates Maximized flow area Dynamic valve analysis software Extensive endurance and design testing

benefits
Minimize plate stress Improve valve reliability Minimizes pressure drop Ensures reliable valve performance and minimizes horsepower losses Reduces down time

Efficiency
The PF valve provides maximum flow area at a lower lift. The effective flow area of the PF valve at low lift is much larger than the effective flow area of ring and conventional poppet valves of the same size, at the same lift. This provides increased efficiency while maintaining excellent reliability.

of a given compressor valve under specific operating conditions. This allows us to help you choose the proper valve for optimal reliability and performance.

complete valve offerings

Dresser-Rand offers a full range of valve products and services. Magnum valve - precision guided, low-mass valve element for all brands of reciprocating compressors PF valve - ported plate for a wide range of compressors Poppet valve - single element design for pipeline and process compressors HPS valve - concentric ring design for process compressors As well as: Full range of unloaders In-house metallurgical laboratory for proper material testing and specification Performance group to analyze and continually improve reciprocating compressor performance Knowledge and responsibility for part compatibility and complete compressor performance Development engineering group and lab to create, refine and test component designs and materials Valve retrofits

The Valve-in-piston cylinder

predicting valve performance

Dresser-Rand engineers use proprietary Dynamic Valve Analysis (DVA) computer software to predict the performance of your compressor valves in any application. The DVA can accurately predict valve plate motion, horsepower loss, and plate impact velocities

Our patented VIP (Valve-InPiston) cylinder was specifically designed using the attributes of the PF valve, including scalloped Hi-Temp plates. The unique feature of the VIP is that it functions both as a PF valve and a piston. Using the same concept as the PF valve, the VIP increases performance and efficiency, while minimizing the need for maintenance. The result is lower operating costs for you.

VIP (Valve-In-Piston) cylinder

For a complete list of products and services, visit us at www.dresser-rand.com or contact the following: Dresser-Rand Corporate Headquarters West8 Tower, Suite 1000 10205 Westheimer Road Houston, Texas 77042 Tel: (Intl +1) 713-354-6100 Fax: (Intl +1) 713-354-6110 E-mail: info@dresser-rand.com Regional Headquarters The Americas West8 Tower, Suite 1000 10205 Westheimer Road Houston, Texas 77042 Tel: (Intl +1) 713-354-6100 Fax: (Intl +1) 713-354-6110 European Served Areas (ESA)
(Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, Africa)

Dresser-Rand S.A. 31 Boulevard Winston Churchill Cedex 7013 Le Havre 76080, France Tel: (Intl +33) 2-35-25-5225 Fax: (Intl +33) 2-35-25-5366/5367 Asia-Pacific Dresser-Rand Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd Unit 8-1, 8th Floor Bangunan Malaysian Re 17 Lorong Dungun Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (Intl +60) 3-2093-6633 Fax: (Intl +60) 3-2093-2622 Reciprocating Operations: 100 Chemung Street Painted Post, NY 14870 Phone: (607) 937-2011 Fax: (607) 937-2905

2001 Dresser-Rand. Printed in U.S.A. Form 85112 This document comprises a general overview of the products described herein. It is solely for informational purposes, does not represent a warranty or guarantee of the information contained herein and is not to be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy. Contact Dresser-Rand for detailed design and engineering information suitable to your specific applications. Dresser-Rand reserves the right to modify its products and related product information at any time without prior notice.