Is an Industrial Globe Valve Used for High Pressure?

24 Jun,2024

Is an industrial globe valve used for high pressure? Yes, heavy-duty industrial globe valves are specifically engineered for handling extremely high fluid pressures across demanding sectors from steam systems to offshore platforms. 

Pressure Resistance of Industrial Globe Valve

Industrial globe valves designs can effectively regulate and isolate media at pressures exceeding 1,500 psi when properly specified based on service conditions. By entering from underneath the seat, closing force aids sealing even as upstream pressure further wedges the disc. This enables globe valves to secure media at pressures far higher than other valve styles.

How the globe valve works (under pressure)

Wondering, how does the globe valve work? The globe valve’s spherical disc-to-seat engagement provides outstanding inherent sealing, especially in high-pressure services. As pressure enters from below the seat, it applies closing force along the seating plane to increase contact intensity. This prevents slippage or erosion.

Meanwhile, upstream pressure wedging the disc downward builds tremendous mechanical advantage. Combine this with the large disc surface area and industrial globes to achieve impressive seal integrity. The pressurized medium itself essentially contributes to the tight shutoff.

For high cycling or throttling duties, resilient seat materials prevent excessive wear and leakage as pressure forces the disc against the seat continuously. Overall, the globe valve architecture translates extreme pipeline pressure into a major sealing asset rather than a liability.

Where should the pressure enter an industrial globe valve?

For optimal sealing, pressure must enter from underneath the disc-and-seat junction, meaning flow enters the valve horizontally to press upward. This orientation focuses all pressure closing force through the disc center and directly down the vertical stem, keeping components properly aligned.

By contrast, side-entering flow introduces uneven forces that can compromise sealing and accelerate wear. Always install industrial globes, so flow pressure originates below the seating plane, not from the sides.

Proper alignment also prevents the stem from deflecting sideways under high-pressure loads. This avoids scrubbing between the stem and packing or bonnet, which can erode surfaces. Careful pressure entry orientation is key to globe valve reliability and safety in high-pressure pipelines.

Does an industrial globe valve reduce pressure?

While mainly used for isolation rather than deliberate pressure reduction, an open globe valve does create a pressure drop across its seated construction. This results from constricting flow through a smaller flow path, especially around the disc edges.

In part-open throttling positions, an industrial globe can effectively regulate high incoming pressures to lower stabilized downstream values. This provides accurate control over discharge pressure from pumps or compressors, for example.

The degree of pressure reduction relates to the pressure itself, flow rate, pipe sizes, and valve opening position. But properly sized globe valves certainly can handle significant high inlet pressures and modulate outlet pressures.

What is the maximum pressure for an industrial globe valve?

Industrial-quality forged steel globe valves can be specified for extraordinarily high pressures exceeding 10,000 psi, especially oilfield-rated designs. However, more common pressure ratings run from 150 psi up to 1,500 psi for steam, chemical, and general applications.

The valve body, bonnet, stem, and disc materials must offer sufficient strength to resist force applied over surface areas. Common specifications include A105 carbon steel, WCB and WC6 cast materials, and F316 stainless steel construction.

Meanwhile, the seat and packing selection focuses on resilience – the ability to repeatedly deform and recover to seal high-pressure cycling. RPTFE seats and graphite packing prove excellent at this, far surpassing PTFE, nylon, or common rubber[1].

Exceeding a globe valve’s pressure class risks internal component failures and possible explosive pressure releases. So, confirming proper pressure rating is critical before installing any globe valve in high-pressure systems.

Introduction To PANS | High Pressure Globe Valves Manufacturers

With over 35 years exclusively focused on engineering the most rugged and reliable industrial valve solutions, PANS serves as a globes and checks specialist able to handle the most intense pressures and harshest operating environments.

Founded in 1985, PANS leverages extensive metallurgy and sealing technology expertise tailored specifically for demanding globe valve applications. By optimizing materials, geometries, and resilient seat compounds for extreme pressures, their globes achieve remarkable seal integrity and cycle life even beyond 1,500 psi ratings.

PANS forges valves from high-quality stainless materials before CNC machining components to precise tolerances for consistency and strength. Their RPTFE seating then ensures resilient, non-degrading performance through millions of pressurized cycles.

Trust PANS across industries from steam power to chemical processing, pipeline transportation, and offshore platforms for specialized globe valves that thrive under high-pressure operation. Their dedicated globe and check valve focus is paying dividends for customers needing reliable isolation and control up to 10,000 psi.

Want to Know More? Request a Quote! >>

Conclusion

Rather than a liability, extreme pipeline pressure becomes an asset for well-designed industrial globe valves. Their seated construction translates immense forces into sealing integrity for reliable isolation and flow control. By optimizing globe components, geometries, materials, and pressure entry orientation, valves can safely contain fluids exceeding 1,500 psi.

For specialized globe and check valve solutions optimized for your extreme pressure applications, trust the specialists at PANS. Their 35+ years of perfecting robust designs withstand even the most demanding temperature, cycling, and high-pressure conditions. Contact PANS engineering experts today to implement heavy-duty globes that leverage pipeline pressure for tight sealing.

FAQ

  • What is the best valve for high pressure?

    Globe valves are often considered the best high-pressure valves due to their durable disc and seat sealing architecture that leverages pipeline pressure as an additional closing force to enhance sealing.

  • What is the difference between a balancing valve and a globe valve?

    Balancing valves are specialized globe-style valves designed specifically for flow throttling and pressure control duties, while standard globe valves focus more on complete flow isolation and simple on/off regulation.

  • What is the most important factor for globe valve pressure handling?

    Making certain pressure flow originates properly from underneath the disc-and-seat plane. This allows closing force to aid sealing.

  • Which industries use high-pressure globe valves?

    Oil and gas extraction, chemical processing plants, steam and combustion systems, and offshore platforms rely extensively on globe valves up to 1,500 psi pressures.

Article Source
PANS uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Our commitment to accuracy and reliability ensures that readers receive well-researched information they can trust.
Tags: valves