Professional Documents
Culture Documents
W
henever a valve is to be and Components: Valves are identified
installed, be sure to know the by markings inscribed on the body, rims Proper Control Valve Storage: Control
function the valve is going to of the hand wheel, or to the adjacent valves should be kept in a safe place,
perform, that is whether it will start flow, piping. Examples of such markings are away from weather, dirt etc. Valves must
regulate flow, stop flow, prevent back color codes, ratings, arrows etc. Arrows be in protective covers and kept in
flow, or regulate pressure. The valve body cast on the body of the valves is used to place until the time of installation. In
must be inserted according to the indicate the flow path through the valve. some cases, control valves are shipped
information that is stamped upon it by A code on the operating lever indicates with the disc fully open, and others fully
the manufacturer-like type of system (gas, the type of fluid flowing through it, like closed. In any case, the disc must be left
oil, and water), direction of flow, color code for hydraulic is orange. in the shipping position if possible, until
operating pressure etc. On the other hand, valves are made of installation is completed. This is aimed at
The valve operating characteristics should different materials because flowing protecting the seating surfaces.
be known, the type of end connections matter such as gases and liquids are
with which it is fitted, and the metal from often corrosive, or highly contaminated. Control Valve Inspection upon Receipt:
which it is made.These operating For maximum efficiency and control, Whenever a valve is received, thorough
characteristics and the material are the valve materials must fall into the same inspection should be carried out on it,
factors that determine the length and kind category of the fluid flowing through it. because this is always the critical time in
About the author a) Is valve seat faulty or worn out? a) Replace the valve seat assembly
Mr Nwaoha Chikezie graduated with
a bachelors degree in Petroleum b) Is oil viscosity too high? b) Check for oil purity, separator efficiency
engineering in and status.
2008 from the
federal university
of technology, c) Is an improper spring installed behind c) Ensure proper number, proper alignment
Owerri, Nigeria, the valve? and correct thickness of springs.
and has recently
completed a
term as an operator (student d) Is pressure setting too close to that of d) Adjust pressure gauge.
trainee) with Port Harcourt Refining another valve in the circuit?
Company (PHRC,
www.nnpcgroup.com/phrc.htm) in 3. THERE IS IMPROPER FLOW
Nigeria, and is currently working on
an initiative with the Caribbean
African Student Exchange Initiative Possible cause Remedy/Solution
(CASEI). As part of his research, Mr.
Nwaoha Chikezie has authored a
number of engineering articles in a) Is the fluid too hot? a) Check the status and operation of fluid cooler.
leading international journals. Mr.
Nwaoha Chikezie is a member of
b) Is valve not adjusted properly? b) Check for proper installation. And adjust
SPE, ASME, AIChe, IMechE, ICE,
properly.
IGEM and Nigerian Gas Association
(NGA). He can be contacted via
chikezienwaoha@yahoo.com. c) Is orifice restricted? c) Clean the orifice.
+234-703-135-3749
Table 1. Common Control Valve problems and solutions