History tends to repeat itself when it comes to the selection of cryogenic valves in LNG applications, which can result in outdated choices and inappropriate valve usage. Bestobell Valves’ Technical Director Kevin Fretwell looks at the key factors in choosing the right valve for the job.
Recent advances in valve design offer major improvements for the LNG industry. Too often, cryogenic valve selection is based on history – it worked reasonably well last time so let’s use it again – but technical advances mean historical decisions may no longer be best.
There are four alternative types of cryogenic isolation valve suitable for LNG application – globe, gate, ball and butterfly. Each has its own particular set of characteristics that must be evaluated in the context of key criteria such as safety, efficiency, reliability and cost.
Globe valves
Globe valves (Above right) are so called because of their spherical body shape, but the name is used to describe any valve that has the same internal working principle – a movable disc (obturator) that moves at 90° to the plane of its mating body seat.
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