Flowserve Valtek FlowTop GS General Service Globe Control Valve

Designed from the ground up, the Flowserve Valtek FlowTop GS has achieved optimum performance at the minimum total cost with easy and quick maintenance. Available in globe style design with interval flanges designed to B1634, it is available in sizes from 1/2 inch to 6-inch class 150 to 300 with a diaphragm actuator. The positioner can be mounted directly to the valve. 

Flowserve Valtek FlowTop GS design features include:

• PTFE packing as standard with optional PTFE live loaded to ISO 15848-1. 
• A robust bonnet design.
• Seat retainer clamps and the seat ring with no threads for easy removal.
• Standard shutoff that's better than class 4, and no lapping required.
• Zero leakage between the seat and body for less maintenance.
• A stainless steel packing follower.
• Stable post guiding for no galling in the flow area.
• Precisely machined contours on the plug head, providing optional reduced trims. 
• Excellent flow characteristics and a high flow globe valve body.

For more information, call Swanson Flo now at 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.

Changing VR Actuator Orientation on Valtek Rotary Valves, including Valdisk, Shearstream and MaxFlo

The Valtek VR rotary cylinder actuator is a high pressure, compact actuator with high torque and pneumatic stiffness for excellent throttling capabilities. The standard splined shaft connection eliminates backlash for precise control. This video shows how to change the orientation on a Valtek Rotary Valves including Valdisk, Shearstream and MaxFlo products.

For more infomration on Valtek Control Valves, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or by visiting https://swansonflo.com.

The Valtek® Mark Eight™ Y-Pattern Control Valve

The Valtek Mark Eight Control Valve Features
(Click for larger view)

The Valtek® Mark Eight™ control valve is designed with a unique “Y” style globe body that provides higher flow capacities and less process turbulence than conventional globe valves.

Because of its nearly straight-through flow passage, the “Y” style body is less flow restrictive than a normal globe-style body. This permits less pressure to be converted into velocity as the fluid passes through the seat, resulting in a lower valve recovery factor and higher capacity.

Mark Eight’s straight-through design generates less valve and piping turbulence which significantly reduces harmful noise and vibration levels.

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DOWNLOAD THE VALTEK MARK EIGHT TECHNICAL BROCHURE FROM THE SWANSON FLO SITE

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Flowserve Valtek Control Valve Packing Adjustments

Flowserve Valtek offers packing in many different types, styles, and materials for a wide range of applications. One thing they all have in common is that they require periodic adjustment to ensure optimal performance. Adjusting packing is a necessary and important valve maintenance practice. Neglecting packing can lead to a leak path formation that may be impossible to repair without packing replacement. Packing leaks should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure safety and optimal reliability. This video demonstrates basic packing adjustments and procedures.

For more information about Flowserve Valtek valves, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or by visiting https://swansonflo.com.

The Flowserve Valtek MaxFlo 4 Eccentric Rotary Plug Control Valve

The Flowserve Valtek MaxFlo 4 control valve is a high performance eccentric rotary plug valve designed for the process industry. It features a large capacity, standard hardened trim and superior shaft blow-out protection. This valve is available in sizes 1 through 12 inches, ASME Class 150, 300 and 600 as well as DIN PN 10, PN16, PN 25, PN40 and PN63.

An optional ISA 75.08.01 or DIN EN 558 series 1 long-pattern body makes this valve an easy drop-in replacement for a globe control valve.

Get the Valtek MaxFlo 4 Control Valve Brochure Here

Mounting the Logix 3800 Digital Positioner on the Valtek Mark One Linear Control Valve

Compatible with linear and rotary valves and actuators, the Logix 3800 digital positioner offers industry-leading embedded measurement, data reduction and diagnostic functionalities. It  features powerful diagnostics that identify field problems and expedite corrective actions to ensure reduced return-to-operation times.

The Valtek Mark One globe control valve offers superior performance in liquid and gaseous services, while also permitting easy, fast and inexpensive maintenance.

This video details how to mount the Logix 3800 positioner on the Mark One valve.

For more information about Flowserve valve and valve automation products, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.

The Basics of Control Valve Actuators

Control Valve
(Flowserve Valtek)

Understanding control valve operation is very important to for anyone considering a career in process engineering, in plant maintenance, or process design engineering.

Control valve actuators control fluid in a pipe by varying the orifice size through which the fluid flows. Control valves contain two major components: the valve body and the valve actuator. The valve body provides the fluid connections and a movable restrictor comprised of a valve stem and plug that is in contact with the fluid that varies the flow. The valve actuator is the component that physically moves the restrictor to vary the fluid flow.

The video below introduces the viewer to basic control valve operation concepts and the basic types of actuators.

What Are Valve Positioners?

Digital Positioner (Valtek)

A valve positioner is used in combination with a valve actuator to precisely position a valve so that optimum flow accuracy may be achieved. The positioner does this by measuring a the process variable, comparing it to a desired condition (set point) and then pneumatically, electrically, or hydraulically changing the valve disc, globe, plug or ball position until the difference between the set point and actual position is zero.

Valve positioners are key elements in a closed loop control system where the final control element is a valve. They assist in maintaining tight control, overcoming the realities of imprecise calibration, differential pressure across the valve, valve wear and a host of other process control challenges.

A valve positioner responds to a signal from some type of master control system, typically a distributed control system (DCS), a programmable logic controller (PLC), or PID controller. The control system reads a signal from a process sensor (flowmeter, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc...) and compares that reading to the desired setpoint. A corrective signal, based on the difference,  is provided to the valve positioner which re-adjusts (if necessary) the valve position to bring the system in to equilibrium.

Valve positioners are available with pneumatic, electrical, electro-pneumatic, and digital operation. Here is a brief description of each:

Pneumatic

Pneumatic Positioner (Valtek)

Pneumatic positioners receive pneumatic signals (3-15 or 6-30 PSIG). The positioner then throttles supply air to the valve actuator to move the valve to the required position. Pneumatic positioners are intrinsically safe and can provide a large amount of force to close a valve.

Electric
Electric valve positioners receive an electric signal, usually 4-20 mA, 1-5 VDC, 2-10 VCD or 0-10 VDC and generally drive the motors in electric actuators. They perform the same function as pneumatic positioners do, but use electricity instead of air pressure as an input signal.

Electro-Pneumatic

Electro-pneumatic Positioner
(PMV)

Electro-pneumatic valve positioners contain internal I/P (current to pneumatic) modules that converts the electrical input signal to a pneumatic output (4-20 mA to 3-15 PSIG for instance). Very similar to a pneumatic positioner except that its input is electrical.

Valve positioners are used throughout the process industries including power, pharmaceutical, chemicals, oil and gas, food and beverage, pulp and paper, refining and petrochemicals, pipelines, and many other processes.

For more information on valve positioners, contact Swanson Flo by visiting https://swansonflo.com or by calling 800-288-7926.

A Peek Inside a Valtek Mark One Control Valve with Piston Actuator

The video below provides a look inside the Flowserve Valtek Mark One control valve and identifies its major components.

The Flowserve Valtek® Mark One globe control valve is designed for liquid and gaseous services, and for permitting easy, fast and inexpensive maintenance.

The spring-cylinder actuated Mark One valve provides stiffness and maintains high positioning accuracy, repeatability, controlled high speed, and faithful response. The Mark One valve handles up to 150 psig supply air and has the thrust to shut off against much higher fluid pressures.

The Mark One valve is designed so the spring, supply air pressure and fluid pressure itself combine to produce exceptionally tight shutoff. A self-aligning seat ring further enhances the shutoff capability of the valve.

https://swansonflo.com
800-288-7926

Flowserve Control Valve Product Guide (Valtek, Kammer)

Flowserve Control Valve

Flowserve general service control valves combine platform standardization, high performance, and simplified maintenance to deliver a lower total cost of ownership.

Flowserve delivers a broad range of general service control valves – linear and rotary – with pressure ratings of ANSI Class 150 to 4500/PN 10 to PN 640. These high-performance control valves offer greater reliability, precision control, and flow capacity, with significantly reduced cavitation, flashing, and noise. Quality production ensures increased process yield and throughput.

Because Flowserve general service control valves are constructed on global platforms using standardized parts and components, up-front engineering is held to a minimum. Simplified operation, maintenance, and service further ensure lower total cost of ownership.

Download your own copy of the Flowserve Control Valve Product Guide here or browse through the embedded document below.

Flowserve Control Valve Product Guide (Valtek, Kammer) from Swanson Flo

Flowserve Valtek MaxFlo 4 Eccentric Rotary Plug Control Valve

The Flowserve Valtek MaxFlo 4 control valve is a high performance eccentric rotary plug valve designed for the process industry. It features a large capacity, standard hardened trim and superior shaft blow-out protection.

This valve is available in sizes 1 through 12 inches, ASME Class 150, 300 and 600 as well as DIN PN 10, PN16, PN 25, PN40 and PN63. An optional ISA 75.08.01 or DIN EN 558 series 1 long-pattern body makes this valve an easy drop-in replacement for a globe control valve. 

Founded in 1960, Swanson Flo has long maintained our position as an industry leader in process automation with unmatched project success leveraging industry preferred products and services. 

https://www.swansonflo.com 

800-288-7926

Understanding Linear, Equal Percentage, and Quick Open Control Valve Flow Curves

Flowserve Valtek Control Valve

Flow characteristics, the relationship between flow coefficient and valve stroke, has been a subject of considerable debate. Many valve types, such as butterfly, eccentric disk and ball valves, have an inherent characteristic which cannot be changed (except with characterizable positioner cams). Flow characteristics of globe valves can be determined by the shape of the plug head.

The three most common types of flow characteristics are quick opening, equal percentage and linear. The figure below shows the ideal characteristic curve for each. These characteristics can be approximated by contouring the plug. However, inasmuch as there are body effects and other uncontrollable factors, plus the need for maximizing the flow capacity for a particular valve, the real curves often deviate considerably from these ideals. When a constant pressure drop is maintained across the valve, the characteristic of the valve alone controls the flow; this characteristic is referred to as the “inherent flow characteristic.” “Installed characteristics” include both the valve and pipeline effects. The difference can best be understood by examining an entire system.

Equal Percentage

Control valve flow curves.

Equal percentage is the characteristic most commonly used in process control. The change in flow per unit of valve stroke is directly proportional to the flow occurring just before the change is made. While the flow characteristic of the valve itself may be equal percentage, most control loops will produce an installed characteristic approaching linear when the overall system pressure drop is large relative to that across the valve.

Linear

An inherently linear characteristic produces equal changes in flow per unit of valve stroke regardless of plug position. Linear plugs are used on those systems where the valve pressure drop is a major portion of the total system pressure drop.

Quick Open

Quick open plugs are used for on-off applications designed to produce maximum flow quickly.

This information provided courtesy of Flowserve Valtek. Share your control valve requirements and challenges with a valve specialist, combining your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

8 Critical Control Valve Selection Criteria

Control Valve (Valtek)

Choosing an improperly applied sized or improperly sized control valve can have serious consequences on operation, productivity and most important, safety. Here is a quick checklist of basics that need to be considered:

1. Control valves are not intended to be a an isolation valve and should not be used for isolating a process. 
2. Always carefully select the correct materials of construction. Take into consideration the parts of the valve that comes in to contact with the process media such as the valve body, the seat and any other "wetted" parts. Consider the operating pressure and operating temperature the control valve will see. Finally, also consider the ambient atmosphere and any corrosives that can occur and effect the exterior of the valve. 
3. Put your flow sensor upstream of the control valve. Locating the flow sensor downstream of the control valve exposes it to an unstable flow stream which is caused by turbulent flow in the valve cavity.
4. Factor in the degree of control you need and make sure your valve is mechanically capable. Too much dead-band leads to hunting and poor control. Dead-band is roughly defined as the amount of control signal required to affect a change in valve position. It is caused by worn, or loosely fitted mechanical linkages, or as a function of the controller setting. It can also be effected by the tolerances from mechanical sensors, friction inherent in the the valve stems and seats, or from an undersized actuator. 
5. Consider stiction. The tendency for valves that have had very limited travel, or that haven't moved at all, to "stick" is referred to as stiction. It typically is caused by the valves packing glands, seats or the pressure exerted against the disk. To overcome stiction, additional force needs to be applied by the actuator, which can lead to overshoot and poor control.
6. Tune your loop controller properly. A poorly tuned controller causes overshoot, undershoot and hunting. Make sure your proportional, integral, and derivative values are set). This is quite easy today using controllers with advanced, precise auto-tuning features that replaced the old fashioned trial and error loop tuning method.
7. Don't over-size your control valve. Control valves are frequently sized larger than needed for

   

   Control Valve
   Specialized for Food/Bev
   Pharmaceutical (Kammer)

   the flow loop they control. If the control valve is too large, only a small percentage of travel is used (because a small change in valve position has a large effect on flow), which in turn makes the valve hunt. This causes excessive wear. Try to always size a control valve at about 70%-90% of travel.
8. Think about the type of control valve you are using and its inherent flow characteristic. Different types of valve, and their disks, have very different flow characteristics (or profiles). The flow characteristic can be generally thought of as the change in rate of flow in relationship to a change in valve position. Globe control valves have linear characteristics which are preferred, while butterfly and gate valves have very non-linear flow characteristics, which can cause control problems. In order to create a linear flow characteristic through a non-linear control valve, manufacturers add specially designed disks or flow orifices which create a desired flow profile.

These are just a few of the more significant criteria to consider when electing a control valve. You should always discuss your application with an experienced application expert before making your final selection.

Flowserve Valtek Valve Automation

The video below highlights several Swanson Flo automated Valtek control valves. Included in these systems are Valtek ShearStream segmented ball valves, Valtek Valdisk BX butterfly valves, Logix positioners, Valtek VR piston actuators, and StoneL Axiom valve monitors.

Swanson Flo is a premier valve and valve automation supplier located in Plymouth, MN with warehouse and fabrication facilities in Addison, IL, Indianapolis, IN and Menomonee Falls, WI.

Visit Swanson Flo at http://www.swansonflo.com or call 800-288-7926 with any valve automation project.

Understanding Control Valves: The Flowserve Valtek Mark One

Control valves are an integral part of many process control loops. Understanding their basic operation is important for any process control professional. The following video demonstrates the reassembly of the Flowserve Valtek Mark One control valve and introduces the viewer to a control valve's main components.

There are a variety of styles of control valves. A globe control valve is a specific type of valve used for regulating flow in a pipe. The design includes a movable plug, connected to a stem, which can be moved linearly to close or open the valve. Globe control valves are referred to as “linear” valves because of this movement to open and close is directed by a piston type, linear movement actuator. Generally, globe control valves provide better overall flow control than quarter-turn valves due to the design of their flow path.

For more information, a Valtek Mark One specification sheet is also included with this post.

Flowserve Valtek Mark One Control Valve from Swanson Flo