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Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves
2

Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

(OP)
I'm designing an influent 60" diameter emergency force main that operates at 28 psi for a wastewater treatment plant.  40 psi is the specified operating pressure.  It will tie in to a 60" section of an existing force main.

A 60X60 tee will be installed where the new line will be connected.  The present consideration is to install gate valves at the upstream side of the mainstream section of the tee and at the tee.  Plug and ball valves are being considered.  Suggestions will be appreciated. Is there a 60" three-way ball or plug valve that can handle this function?

The flow will contain a lot of grit and trash.

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

As a general rule of thumb in my industry, we don't use 3 way line valves. 3-way solenoid valves on instrument air yes, in the line, no.

If there is a lot of grid and trash, a wedge gate may get gunk in the seat. You may want to look at a slab gate (through conduit gate) or ball.

At 60", a slab gate will be very expensive, so, maybe a ball? Probably very expensive also.

Not sure if I helped. Hope I did.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

(OP)
60" gate valves are in the $120k each price range.  We'll need 3 for the present layout.  I was thinking a 3-way would eliminate a tee and 1 valve.  However, problems are more expensive especially if it is due to being irresponsible.

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Dezurik make 72" eccentric plug valves. Perhaps they make 3 way. If not they could design and build one for you. They make 3 ways in smaller sizes for sure I dont know about the bigger ones.

Geoffrey D Stone FIMechE C.Eng;FIEust CP Eng
www.waterhammer.bigblog.com.au

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Here is a valve company that might be able to answer your questions about big valves.  They make several types in 60" range.  I've seen a number of their valves used.  

http://www.prattvalves.com/products/

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

I am working on a project right now that has 60" gate valves, 60" knife gates, 48" ball, 54" gate, and 66" gates. American R&D makes gates from 2" up to 84". As for the influent trash and such, they add flush connections that can be automatically turned on so the gate has a full seat. APCO makes ball valves in large sizes but their track record on delivery is spotty at best.

I can tell you that ordering a special 3way valve in 60" will cost a lot more that a gate and a T. Not sure who you have your pipe from, but American Cast Iron got us our 64" T's pretty fast.

Also, from the description you gave I am getting the impresion that the line is not used very often. Have you considered using a rotary check valve? You can set the opening pressure and the cost would be less because there are a lot fewer controls.

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Have you considered using a 60" pinch valve for this application? No pressure drops to deal with and it's simple to install. You're probably looking at 50-75% of the cost without certain maintenance hassles.

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

How do you get a three way pinch valve? Generally pinch valves are 100-150% more expensive than a water industry sluice or gate valve.

Geoffrey D Stone FIMechE C.Eng;FIEust CP Eng
www.waterhammer.bigblog.com.au

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

I would think you need two pinch valves.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

How will the valve be actuated?  

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

aitcooper,

You mean like pneumatically with instrument air?

http://www.sur-flo.net/fcontrol.pdf

Here is an example of a pinch valve, and control.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Ashereng,

Thanks for the resource.  I have an application where this might come in handy.

Somany,

How were planning to actuate the valve?

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

aticooper,

I am not sure what you are asking. Can you try asking it again in a different way?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Ashereng,

Somany initially stated that the current application is using gate valves.  I was wondering how they are currently being actuated?  

Thanks

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

Oh. Sorry, my misunderstanding. I thought the question was directed at me.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Wastewater 60" Force Main Valves

(OP)
stanier (Mechanical) 4 Jun 06 21:34  
I believe a tee and two valves are more reliable ad less expensive.

aticooper (Mechanical) 5 Jun 06 15:17  
"Somany,

How were planning to actuate the valve?"  

With Auma electronic actuators.  Two valves will be fully open/closed. One valve will be used infrequnetly to throttle influent.

aticooper (Mechanical) 5 Jun 06 16:06  

"Ashereng,

Somany initially stated that the current application is using gate valves.  I was wondering how they are currently being actuated?"

This line is in design phase.
 

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