Steam Line valve selection
I have a drip leg on a 300# - SS316L line where I have to select a couple of "block" valves (1" size)
Previously
the line was 2" and we had gate valves installed (Press 30barg,
Temperature 300?C, that's why we didn't use ball or plug valves).
The vendors catalogues for SS gate valves go down to 1.1/2".
Which valve would you recomend me to use there?
If drip leg = draining point (with or without steamtrap) and the purpose
is draining and/or blowing out dirt/condensate, a good quality ball
valve with graphite sealings suitable for given pressure and temperature
could be used for this 'end of line use'.
Ask for steam references. CS recommended, SS if solid and steam references from supplier.
Needle
valves in SS (Note correct sealings for steam temperature and pressure
required) can be used as rough regulating valves, but not suitable for
'dirt /cleaning' as dirt could clog the reduced, angeled conduit.
For
inline use: ball valves could be used for steam, but note: cavitation
will occur almost immidiately if not 100% closed and thight. Remember
steam velocity is usually 15m/s (90 feet/s or up to about double).
CS is recommended mostly for economical
and commercial availability reasons. Of course SS is best on a material
basis, but valve buyers very often back down and select CS when the
price total (and often deliverytime) comes up.
You could check both.
There
is of course present the chance of galvanic corrosion CS /SS, but this
should cause no great problems taking proper steps (I'm no expert on
this). Very often, as example, land based treatment plants for drinking
water or process plants will have SS lines but Nodular Cast Iron or
steel valves.
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