anti static, double block and bleed
Can anyone explian what is anti static and double block and bleed in a ball valve, please explain how it works.
Antistatic construction is provided by making a grounding path between the valve body and the ball which prevents static electric charges and resulting voltage potentials from building up and sparking.
Neither answer is complete.
1. Because the ball and stem in a ball
valve are susspended on non matalic parts , i.e. the seats and stem
seals, there is a possibility when cycled a static charge can build on
the ball-stem. Ball valves usually have a method to maintain a
metal-to-metal contact between the rotaing ball/stem and the valve body
which will ground any charge to the valve body. The valve body is then
grounded to the pipe by the pipe connection or the addition of a ground
strap around the flanges. This ground need is also present in plug
valves.
2. A true double block and bleed is three valves w/very
ggod seating connected by a Tee fitting (some times done with two
valves and a smaller drain valve installed between). Purpose is to
provide a method to change products flowing in a system without having
them mix. The two products valves are closed then the space between
them is drained then the second line is opened. A trunnion ball valve
can function as a block and bleed as today most designs include a soft
seat element that provides a positive seal and the seat holders are
spring loaded to provide a seal at the ball without line pressure. In a
true block and bleed one still needs a shut off valve to change
fluid. But a trunnion can be used to shut off line and bleed valve
opened to confirm shut-off. This is not a true block and bleed
application.
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