Ball valve

Abstract

This utility model relates to pipeline fittings, specifically to a ball valve. The ball valve comprises a body with branches and a distribution member comprising a shaft and a ball valve connected thereto, with an outer surface and an inner surface, configured to distribute a fluid flow between said branches. The inner surface of the ball valve's distribution member comprises a coating of heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates. This utility model improves the durability of the ball valve. 4 clauses, 4 figs.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of pipeline fittings, namely to a ball valve.

[0002] A ball valve is known (see https: / / velan.com / products / coker-diverter-valves-three-and-four-way / ), comprising a body with branches and an all-metal distribution element, comprising a shaft and a ball valve connected thereto, configured to distribute the flow of fluid between said branches.

[0003] A ball valve is known (see RU 222265 U1), consisting of a body with inlet and outlet main flanges, in the cavity of which seats are placed, a ball plug with an L-shaped passage section, a spindle with bearings, a cover fixed to the body.

[0004] The control body of these valves is a monolithic structure, typically cast from low-alloy steel with a tensile strength of up to 620 MPa, a hardness of up to 22 HRC, and a yield strength of up to 415 MPa. This leads to a number of disadvantages, including low strength, poor impact and cyclic load resistance, insufficient corrosion resistance, low abrasion resistance, and labor-intensive manufacturing. These problems are exacerbated when working with aggressive environments.

[0005] During operation, coking control valves are exposed to aggressive (thermal, wear) influences from the fluids passing through them. The problem lies in the valve's ball valve, which wears out due to the abrasive elements in the flow. This is especially true for the inner wall of the ball valve, which bears the brunt of the dynamic fluid flow.

[0006] The technical problem is to eliminate the shortcomings of the prior art and develop a ball valve characterized by greater strength, wear resistance, resistance to impact and cyclic loads, corrosion resistance and durability of the distribution element.

[0007] The technical result is to increase the durability of the ball valve.

[0008] The proposed ball valve comprises a body with outlets and a distribution element comprising a shaft and a ball valve connected thereto, with an outer surface and an inner surface, configured to distribute fluid flow between said outlets. The technical problem is solved and the technical result achieved by coating the inner surface of the ball valve with heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates.

[0009] Zirconium ceramic tiles are installed and bonded to each other using heat-resistant silicate adhesive.

[0010] The coating thickness of zirconium ceramic plates is from 500μm to 1000μm.

[0011] The total coating thickness is up to 1.5 to 4mm.

[0012] The coverage area is limited to the central 90° sector of the inner surface of the ball valve.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a general axonometric view of the ball valve.

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the ball valve.

[0015] Fig. 3 shows a sectional axonometric view of the ball valve.

[0016] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view with a partial section of the ball valve.

[0017] The figures indicate the following positions:

[0018] 1 - body; 2 - bends; 3 - cover; 4 - distribution element; 5 - shaft; 6 - ball valve; 7 - coating made of heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates.

[0019] The ball valve (Fig. 1, 2) comprises a body 1 provided with branches 2 for a fluid (as an example, a four-way ball valve with four branches is shown in Fig. 1 and 2), a cover 3 and a distribution member 4. The distribution member 4 comprises a shaft 5 and a ball valve 6 connected to the shaft 5. The ball valve 6 comprises a groove so as to distribute (for example, pass, mix, limit, etc.) the flows of a fluid through the ball valve in a predetermined manner. Thus, the ball valve 6 comprises an outer and an inner surface. During operation of the ball valve, the outer surface of the ball valve 6 is intended to block the fluid through the body 1, and the inner surface of the ball valve 6 serves to direct the fluid between the branches 2 and, thus, is subjected to the constant direct action of the fluid flow. The shaft 5 of the distribution element 4 is connected to a drive (not shown) to control its operation.

[0020] According to the utility model, a coating 7 in the form of heat-resistant zirconium (ZrO2) ceramic plates is applied to a portion of the inner surface of the ball valve 6. The coating 7 is flush with the remaining inner surface of the ball valve 6. To achieve this, a recess is formed in the specified portion of the inner surface of the ball valve 6, the depth of which is equal to the specified overall coating thickness.

[0021] The zirconium ceramic plates are preferably installed and bonded to each other using a heat-resistant silicate adhesive. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the area of ​​the coating 7 is limited to the central sector with an angular dimension of 90° of the inner surface of the ball valve 6, since, as shown by the simulation results, this sector is mainly exposed to the aggressive environment. The coating thickness of the zirconium ceramic plates is preferably from 500 μm to 1000 μm. A smaller thickness does not provide a sufficient degree of protection, and a greater thickness is impractical and may lead to an increased likelihood of premature failure of the coating. The thickness of the silicate adhesive layer is preferably 1-3 mm, more preferably 2 mm. The total coating thickness can thus be from 1.5 mm to 4 mm.

[0022] The coating can be applied as follows. First, a recess is created on the inner surface of ball valve 6, the depth of which is equal to the specified overall coating thickness 7, and the area equal to the specified coating area. Next, the surface of this recess is prepared, including cleaning: before applying the coating, the surface of the recess on the inner surface of ball valve 6 must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt, scale, and rust. Next, sandblasting or shot blasting are used to create a rough surface and remove oxides, chemical cleaning (degreasing with solvents or alkaline compounds), and rinsing and drying (removing residual abrasive and moisture). The next step is the application of heat-resistant silicate adhesive and the installation of zirconium ceramic tiles in the recess, flush with the remaining inner surface of the ball valve.At the final stage, quality control is performed. Specifically, the finished coating is tested for thickness (preferably 500-1000 µm) using ultrasonic or magnetic thickness gauges, adhesion (using a cross-cut or pull-off test), continuity (high-voltage flaw detection or spark testing), and smoothness (to minimize hydraulic resistance). The operating temperature of such plates in ball valves is up to 500°C. The adhesive layer thickness is preferably 2 mm (1 to 3 mm), and its application can be performed using traditional hand tools (spatula, brush) or mechanically. The total coating thickness (silicate adhesive + zirconium ceramic plates), corresponding to the recess depth, can reach up to 4 mm.

[0023] As an example of implementation, Fig. 1 and 2 show a four-way ball valve with an inlet and three outlet branches 2. During operation, the ball valve functions as a distributor through pipelines or chambers (not shown). By means of a drive (not shown), connected to the shaft 5 of the distribution element 4, the position of the ball valve 6 of the distribution element 4 is changed relative to the branches 2. In this case, the ball valve 6, due to the presence of channels and / or grooves (not shown) in it, depending on the task being solved, opens, closes or restricts the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet branches 2 in the desired direction.

[0024] Thus, by coating the inner surface of the ball valve 6 of the control element 4 of the ball valve with a coating 7 made of heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates, its resistance to impact and cyclic loads is enhanced, its corrosion resistance is increased, its abrasive wear resistance is increased, and its durability is increased, thereby increasing the reliability of the ball valve as a whole. Due to the coating 7 being flush with the rest of the inner surface of the ball valve 6, the durability, heat resistance, and abrasive wear resistance at the coating-inner surface boundary are increased, which further enhances the reliability and durability of the ball valve 6 and the ball valve as a whole. This technical result is achieved by increasing wear and heat resistance due to the application of zirconium ceramic plates to the inner surface of the ball valve.The inner surface encompassed by 90° of the ball valve's circular cross-section is preferably coated. This decision is justified by the fact that this is the part most exposed to the flow.

Claims

1. A ball valve comprising a body with branches and a distribution element comprising a shaft and a ball valve connected thereto with an outer surface and an inner surface, configured to distribute a flow of fluid between said branches, characterized in that a coating of heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates is applied to part of the inner surface of the ball valve, made flush with the remaining inner surface of the ball valve.

2. A ball valve according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the zirconium ceramic plates are installed and fastened to each other using heat-resistant silicate glue.

3. A ball valve according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the thickness of the coating of the zirconium ceramic plates is from 500 µm to 1000 µm.

4. A ball valve according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the total coating thickness is from 1.5 to 4 mm.

5. A ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the coating is applied to the central sector with an angular dimension of 90° of the inner surface of the ball valve.

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