Metal-Seated Ball Valve: Common Faults and Solutions
Metal-seated ball valves are essential valve devices widely utilized across various industries due to their simple installation, compact structure, small size, lightweight, low resistance, and stable and reliable operation. This article will introduce the common faults and corresponding solutions of the metal seated ball valve.
Common Faults and Solutions
Despite the wide application of metal-seated ball valves in various industries, some common faults may arise during prolonged usage. Here are some typical troubleshooting methods:
1. Valve Body Leakage: If valve body leakage is detected, firstly, repair the sealing surface, remove debris, replace the sealing gasket, and ensure even and alternating tightening of nuts to ensure sealing.
2. Stuffing Leakage: When stuffing leakage occurs, try tightening the gland bolts or replacing the stuffing. During installation, ensure the gland bolts are evenly tightened to maintain uniform pressure.
3. Stem Insensitivity: If the stem is not sensitive, adjust the gland bolts, uniformly loosen the connecting nuts, or thicken the sealing gasket to reduce preload force, ensuring no leakage occurs.
4. Seal Leakage: To address seal leakage, increase preload force by uniformly and alternately tightening the connecting nuts, or adjust the seal seat, seal gasket, and clean the seal groove.
2. Stuffing Leakage: When stuffing leakage occurs, try tightening the gland bolts or replacing the stuffing. During installation, ensure the gland bolts are evenly tightened to maintain uniform pressure.
3. Stem Insensitivity: If the stem is not sensitive, adjust the gland bolts, uniformly loosen the connecting nuts, or thicken the sealing gasket to reduce preload force, ensuring no leakage occurs.
4. Seal Leakage: To address seal leakage, increase preload force by uniformly and alternately tightening the connecting nuts, or adjust the seal seat, seal gasket, and clean the seal groove.
Furthermore, when operating the ball valve, avoid using auxiliary levers or other hard objects to forcibly actuate it to prevent damage to the stem. If the ball valve is difficult to turn, analyze the cause first; it may be due to thermal expansion of the valve causing difficulty in closing. In this case, loosen the gland bolts first, and then operate the valve after the stem stress is released.
Applications
Metal-seated ball valves play a crucial role in the extraction, refining, and transportation systems of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and minerals. Moreover, they find extensive applications in the production of chemical products, pharmaceuticals, and food. Additionally, metal-seated ball valves are employed in the production systems of hydroelectricity, electricity, and nuclear power, as well as in urban and industrial enterprises for water supply, drainage, heating, and gas supply systems.
In conclusion, understanding the structural characteristics and common fault-handling methods of metal-seated ball valves is crucial for ensuring production operations and the normal use of equipment. Through timely maintenance and effective fault handling, the service life of metal-seated ball valves can be prolonged, ensuring the stable operation of production systems.