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 element, which comprises a shaft and a ball valve connected to it, with an outer surface and an inner surface, configured to distribute fluid flow between the branches. The inner surface of the ball valve's distribution element is coated with heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates. This utility model improves the durability of the ball valve.

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 high labor intensity. These problems are exacerbated when working with aggressive media.

[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 degree 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 outlets 2 for a fluid medium (as an example, a four-way ball valve with four outlets 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 medium through the ball valve in a predetermined manner. Thus, the ball valve 6 comprises an outer and an inner surface. The shaft 5 of the distribution member 4 is connected to a drive (not shown) for controlling its operation.

[0020] According to the utility model, the inner surface of the ball valve 6 comprises a coating 7 in the form of heat-resistant zirconium (ZrO₂) ceramic plates. 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 90-degree sector of the inner surface of the ball valve 6, since, as the simulation results have shown, 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, therefore, can be from 1.5 mm to 4 mm.

[0021] The coating can be applied using the following method. First, the surface is prepared, including cleaning: before applying the coating, the interior surface of the housing 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 installation of zirconium ceramic tiles.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 used in ball valves is up to 500 degrees Celsius. The adhesive layer thickness is preferably 2 mm (1 to 3 mm), and its application can be done using traditional hand tools (spatula, brush) or mechanically. The total coating thickness (silicate adhesive + zirconium ceramic plates) can reach up to 4 mm.

[0022] 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.

[0023] Thus, by coating the inner surface of the ball valve 6 of the ball valve control element 4 with a coating 7 of heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates, its resistance to impact and cyclic loads, corrosion resistance, abrasive wear resistance, and durability are enhanced, thereby increasing the overall reliability of the ball valve. This technical result is achieved by increasing wear and heat resistance by applying zirconium ceramic plates to the inner surface of the ball valve. Preferably, the inner surface encompassing 90 degrees of the circular arc of the ball valve is coated. This solution 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, designed with the possibility of distributing the flow of a fluid medium between said branches, characterized in that the inner surface of the ball valve comprises a coating of heat-resistant zirconium ceramic plates.

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 paragraph 1, characterized in that the coverage area is limited to the central 90-degree sector of the inner surface of the ball valve.

Images