Product Highlight – APV-BVF100-QF Trunnion Ball Valve

August 9th, 2018 by Amanda Schumann

Here is an introduction to Australian Pipeline Valve’s BVF100-QF Trunnion Ball Valve product line.

Design

In conjunction with the European designer and patent holder, the proven Extremely Low Torque (ELT) ball valve is available as a simple option on APV valves. This design breaks the traditional ratio between the valve sealing force and the resulting valve operating torque. High sealing reliability and long lifespan are achieved whilst having an extremely low operating torque. Whilst the BVF100-QF valve is not marketed for dirty service, any impurities that may damage the soft seat will not effect the seat during opening or closing as is the case with conventional trunnion ball valves. For dirty service we recommend BVF100-EV design variation detailed below.

Technical Features

Based on the design of a BVF100 trunnion mounted ball valve, the BVF100-QF utilises the existing proven conventional double piston effect self relieving seat design. A check valve is opened through a push pin upon rotating the stem to open & close. The original sealing force is diverted to push the seat away from the ball (only during opening or closing) by using the fluid pressure of the internal pipe line acting upon the piston action seat (utilising the existing automatic overpressure seat release feature.) The seat is separated from the ball during the opening and closing process ensuring extremely low torque, zero leakage and long lifespan. The seat spring tightness can be greater than a traditional trunnion ball valve when the ball is full open or closed provides superior sealing.

Cam Action Option BVF100-EV

Another design variation for dirty & abrasive service is the cam action seat design. The BVF100-EV cam action design offers the same advantages as the BVF100-QF but is more suitable for dirty service as it does not rely on fluid diversion behind the seat. Instead it employs a cam action seat which lifts off ball during opening and closing to avoid seat damage. The design also protects the seat from high velocity and abrasion damage during initial opening. Composite triple seats can also be supplied with nylon/teflon/metal. This valve is a superior alternative for dirty & abrasive service applications. to a slurry valve or a full port plug valve. The cam action ‘axial lift off’ seat means this valve has all the advantages for dirty & abrasive service applications of a metal seated ball valve but without the disadvantages. As the valve turns the unique seat lifts off the ball during the turning motion whilst opening and closing. This reduces torque and prevents seat/ball damage. The cam action seat design prevents jamming and significantly increases the life of the valve. These metal seated valves are supplied to API598 or ANSI class IV shut off only (class V and VI on request). Importantly the seat design enables the valves to continue to close off to class IV, even after continued use in abrasive or dirty service applications. This style of valve also offers the advantages of being compact and fast acting quarter turn design. Further advantages are gained in automated applications as quarter turn actuators are more competitive than linear actuators as used in rising stem ball valves and of course a lower torque enables the use of a smaller actuator. This style of ball valve is suited to mining, slurry and other abrasive service applications where particulates in the media represent a problem for traditional valves.

Advantages

Extremely low torque: 5{25ff19fb4bbe50b2512a26092ffa8499fbe25baf0e752d653cb6adacb3479290} of the traditional design

Triple life span:- The ball and seat are separated during the closing and opening process so there is no contact with the sealing surface which damages the seat in traditional valves so that the lifespan of the seat has been prolonged with triple of the traditional.

Lower actuator cost: The ELT ball valve torque is 95{25ff19fb4bbe50b2512a26092ffa8499fbe25baf0e752d653cb6adacb3479290} lower. The cost of an actuator is massively lower.

Lower installation and maintenance cost:- Because the ELT ball valve has a low operating torque, this ensures excellent sealing performance and long lifespan. The smaller sized actuator largely reduces the installation space and makes the valve more reliable. The operation, maintenance costs and maintenance difficulty are greatly reduced.