Vertically installed control valve
Vertically installed control valve
(OP)
Hi,
Peop`le have told me that conreol valves such as butterfly or globe valves should nor be installed vertically, however no one has been able to explain why. Can anyone please explain?
thanks
Peop`le have told me that conreol valves such as butterfly or globe valves should nor be installed vertically, however no one has been able to explain why. Can anyone please explain?
thanks





RE: Vertically installed control valve
Today there are many different types of valves used as a "Control Valve" including some that do not suffer the same weaknesses. Butterfly valves, for example (manual or with an operator) will work just fine in th horizontal position. Some of the newer Globe pattern control have "Bottom Guided" plugs that may reduce the binding problem and work in the horizontal position.
Good question, thank you.
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
I2I
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
That being said, the valves you bought may be perfectly capable of vertical installation, but the vendor should be consulted. As a general rule, control valves should not be oriented vertically and, unless otherwise specified, the vendor most likely assumes horizontal orientation. Do not take pennpiper's good advice as an over generalization that all valves can be installed in that manner.
I2I
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
There is always one way to ensure that control valves are adequate, or will work properly over a given periode:
give the exact conditions and installment data and ask the supplier if this is within acceptable limits.
On the other hand: a valve (regulating or other) stuck in one position over a long time might well (under circumstances, but again depending of the valve detailed construction and operating fluid data) give more irregularities (leakage over stem sealings for instance) than a valve regularily operated.
Again, as others have pointed out: do not generalize.
All data: pressure for and after, flow, liquid type and temperature, operational sequence (varying fluid flow, amounts, dry pipelines at time etc), valve type, mark and construction, cv, throtteling position, placement in pipeline, distance to other components (free straight stretch) etc. must be known to give an approximate correct answer.
On the other hand, given that all data are simple (freshwater, slow normal flow at surrounding temperature, small dimensions, normal pressure, regular Y-pattern globe control valve), the answer is OK.
RE: Vertically installed control valve
Many control valves have problems with solids when they are installed in a vertical flow UP position. During low flow / closure the solids may fall down and clogg the valve.
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
The other issue that may be of concern is that you plan to leave the valves and not operate them. As with any valve, if they are not stroked on regularly (i.e. every 6 months or so), they will have the tendency to bind no matter what the valve orientation.
I2I
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
"control valves should not be oriented vertically and, unless otherwise specified, the vendor most likely assumes horizontal orientation"
I2I: I realize this is a bit off topic, but is this statement referring to butterfly control valves (power operated)? I have never seen a globe valve with a power-operated actuator installed shaft horizontal, such an arrangement would surely lead to side loading on the stem seal as well as wear on the trim. My interpretation of Pennpiper's post is that CV's need to be specifically designed for shaft horizontal orientation, otherwise the default assumption is to install them shaft vertical. Obviously butterfly valves are different due to the rotary motion, the type of actuator and how it is coupled to the valve.
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
At the end of the day, you can get something that will work adequately, but most likely will still require more routine maintenance than the same valve/application in a vertical stem orientation.
I2I
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
As pointed out earlier, rotary valves such as butterfly valves, eccentric rotary plug valves, and even ball valves work as well or better with the stem horizontal. One big advantage is that it keeps the outboard bearing from filling with sediment (grit) as it would on the bottom.
The ISA handbook of control valves shows automated globe control valves mounted vertically as favored position. ISA shows 45 degrees from vertical as acceptable, and shows a fabricated support to absorb the weight of the actuator for valves with horizontal stems.
Manual globe valves that are placed in position and only adjusted 2 or 3 times in their lifetime will never see any effect from horizontal installation. The cantilevered mass of a simple handwheel is trivial, and supported by the OS&Y (anticipated) construction. It may actually benefit the service life for a valve on a heated service (steam) because the packing will be in cooler air than it would have been with the stem vertical and the convection cooking the valve topworks.
Cryogenic valves are probably fussiest about being installed with the stem vertical because it is necessary for a long gas bubble to inhabit the extended bonnet. Tip the valve sideways and cryo fluid flows all the way to the packing, making a big iceball, making the valve impossible to move, and chilling the packing so it is too stiff to seal. Worcester recently came out with a packing option that tolerates non-vertical shaft orientation for cryo valves.
RE: Vertically installed control valve
Thanks!!
RE: Vertically installed control valve
RE: Vertically installed control valve
Incidentally, several years ago I discovered several large conventional safety relief valves mounted sideways rather than upright during an offshore platform audit. These must be mounted upright as the plug and stem weight under gravity works in conjunction with the spring load,
RE: Vertically installed control valve
Funny that you mentioned the positioning of PSVs, I just had my mechanical guys change PSVs that were installed horizontally to the vertical position. PSVs installed horizontally must also be certified for horizontal position.