Ball valve with a steam channel system of the sleeve

Abstract

A design is described for a ball valve comprising a body with a ball plug, made with medium outlet units, containing a flange, a sleeve and a seat with compression springs for each medium outlet unit, which provide pressure on the plug in such a way that sealing and separation of the media is realized when steam is supplied from a branch pipe, and the sleeve contains a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels and an annular channel, wherein the annular channel is connected to the steam supply branch pipe, and the longitudinal channels exit on one side into the annular channel, and on the other - into the seat, conducting steam into the internal cavity of the body. The technical result of the utility model is to increase the operational reliability of the ball valve, which is achieved by using a sleeve with a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels and an annular channel, which allows for efficient control of gas or steam flows inside the valve, since sealing and separation of the media is realized when steam is supplied. 5 c. phyl., 6 fig.

Description

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The utility model relates to pipeline fittings intended for use as a device for changing the direction of the flow of the working medium in turbo-piston units included in systems for measuring the quantity and quality of oil and oil products, in particular to a ball valve.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] Ball valves for separating media are known from the prior art. They utilize a metal bellows design. This design limits the service life of the valve's distribution unit due to cyclic loads, susceptibility to fatigue failure, and loss of mechanical properties under thermal stress. Furthermore, the bellows require regular maintenance and replacement, increasing operating costs. Repairs are often complicated by the need to dismantle the components, further increasing costs and reducing overall system reliability. Such devices include products from Velan, Saudi Arabian Oil Company, and others.

[0005] Velan Coker Diverter Valve (https: / / velan.com / products / coker-diverter-valves-three-and-four-way / , accessed 10 / 25 / 2025) is a three-way and four-way coking diverter valve that features a robust one-piece body, an O-ring seal with a steam block, and the ability to purge bellows and body with steam. The design includes an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator that operates depending on operating conditions.

[0006] A four-way valve is known, registered by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Aramco Services Company (international application WO 2016164442, priority date 06.04.2016) the four-way valve has a body with an inlet and an outlet, a first circulation port and a second circulation port, the four-way valve additionally has a valve plug located inside the valve body, with valve body seals that seal against the fluid between the valve body and the valve plug, the valve plug can rotate between a forward seat position to direct fluid from the inlet to the first circulation port and a reverse seat position to direct fluid from the inlet to the second circulation port. The disadvantage of this solution is a complex and unreliable damping system that requires adjustment, low reliability, and the possibility of sudden failures due to the lack of a pressure relief device.

[0007] There are solutions that eliminate the use of bellows in the design by replacing this structural element with springs, such ball valves also have their own characteristics and disadvantages.

[0008] A number of patents from ASF-Razvitie disclose a ball valve design that utilizes spring-loaded seats, eliminating the bellows. Patent RU 234024, priority date March 19, 2025, for a ball valve with a throttling plate stack aims to reduce flow cavitation by incorporating flow dividers in the form of a throttling plate stack with through holes. Drawbacks of this solution arise when using this ball valve with dense and heterogeneous working fluids, which are typical for oil and gas processes: liquids and gases with inclusions, cracking; the plate system with flow dividers is functional for conditions close to normal conditions (NC).When solid particles, two- and three-phase fluids (including liquids of varying densities, air, and other fluids) appear, such a system will prove to be short-lived due to clogging of the holes and labyrinth channels, reducing the flow rate of the assembly and the overall efficiency of the ball valve. Patent RU 235614, priority date April 13, 2025, for a ball valve with perforated seats, discloses a valve design comprising seats on the inlet and outlet flanges with end perforations along a plane perpendicular to the flow and directed toward the pipeline, and a set of seat springs. In this particular case, the holes on the end surface of the seat are designed as a petal groove.The disadvantage of this solution is a decrease in the valve's efficiency and reliability due to the clogging of the holes during operation by inhomogeneities in the working medium, which occurs in the oil and gas industry. Conversely, this creates a large area of ​​resistance to the flow of the medium, which will lead to additional cavitation, the need for repairs, difficulties in cleaning, reduced reliability, and jamming. The proposed solution eliminates the use of flow elements in the seat design, but adds blind holes for spring installation and protrusions on the seat surface, which improve the reliability of the valve assembly.

[0009] The technical solution (prototype) closest to the claimed utility model is considered to be patent RU 237145, priority date 05 / 22 / 2025 for a ball valve using disc springs, the feature of which is the use of a spring structure in the design, which uses at least three springs evenly distributed over the surface of the seat, in particular from disc springs with a compression cylinder.

[0010] A technical problem inherent in the prototype is the difficulty of purging the ball valve at the flange-bushing-seat junction, since when the springs move, the flow of steam into the internal cavity of the valve can be blocked in the “closed” position, which can contribute to the accumulation of dust and steam.

[0011] Essence Revealed

[0012] The technical result of this utility model is to increase the operational reliability of a ball valve. This is achieved by using a sleeve with a steam channel system, including longitudinal channels and an annular channel. This allows for efficient control of gas or steam flows within the valve, as it seals and separates the media when steam is supplied. A ball valve with compression springs, incorporating a sleeve with a steam channel system, prevents excess pressure and helps prevent dust and steam accumulation by facilitating their removal. This extends the service life of the ball valve and, consequently, increases overall reliability.

[0013] The technical result is achieved by using a ball valve, which contains in its design a sleeve with a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels and an annular channel connected to the steam supply pipe, conducting steam flows into the internal cavity and implementing sealing and separation of the working and steam environments, springs located between the seat and the sleeve along the perimeter of the seat do not restrict the passage of steam flows, compensation for thermal expansion of metal components is ensured, the required seat-to-plug contact force is maintained.

[0014] A ball valve with medium outlet units contains a flange, a sleeve and a seat with pressure springs for each medium outlet unit, which provide pressure on the plug in such a way that sealing and separation of the working and steam media is realized, while the sleeve contains a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels and an annular channel, while the annular channel is connected to the steam supply pipe, and the longitudinal channels exit on one side into the annular channel, and on the other - into the seat, conducting steam into the internal cavity of the body, creating excess pressure inside to prevent contamination of the structural elements with the working medium to ensure the reliable operation of the ball valve.

[0015] The claimed utility model differs from its closest analogue in that the sleeve contains a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels and an annular channel connected to a steam supply pipe, conducting steam flows into the internal cavity and implementing sealing and separation of the working and steam environments.

[0016] Brief description of drawings

[0017] Fig. 1 - General view of the ball valve;

[0018] Fig. 2 - Longitudinal section of a ball valve;

[0019] Fig. 3 - Assembly axonometry;

[0020] Fig. 4 - Sleeve with steam channel system (left) and basic sleeve of the prototype (right);

[0021] Fig. 5 - Sleeve with steam channel system;

[0022] Fig. 6 - View of the passage of gas coke in the body of a ball valve with a system of steam channels of the sleeve, where

[0023] 1 - crane body;

[0024] 2 - spindle;

[0025] 3 - medium output unit;

[0026] 4 - ball plug;

[0027] 5 - bushing;

[0028] 6 - ​​pressure springs;

[0029] 7 - flange;

[0030] 8 - internal cavity of the body;

[0031] 9 - saddle;

[0032] 10 - annular channel of the sleeve;

[0033] 11 - longitudinal channels of the bushing;

[0034] 12 - steam supply pipe.

[0035] Implementation

[0036] The ball valve comprises a valve body 1, which contains an internal cavity 8 containing a spindle 2 with a ball plug 4. The plug 4 is spherical and rotates within the valve body 1, changing the direction of the working fluid flow. When the openings in the ball plug 4 align with the fluid outlet nodes 3, the unimpeded flow of the working fluid is ensured, allowing the open flow of liquid or gas.

[0037] Ball plug 4 is moved by spindle 2, which is connected to an external control mechanism, allowing the operator to control the flow of fluid within the ball valve. Nozzle flange 7, integrated into the fluid outlet assemblies 3, ensures uniform flow distribution and can be adapted to optimize operation under various conditions. It can have several configurations depending on the specific needs of the ball valve.

[0038] Seat 9 engages ball plug 4. Pressure springs 6 act on seat 9, pressing it against ball plug 4. Pressure springs 6, located between seat 9 and sleeve 5 along the perimeter of seat 9 uniformly, do not restrict the passage of steam flows from steam supply pipe 12. Pressure springs 6 are located in each medium outlet unit 3 and functionally replace the bellows: depending on the medium flow in the valve, the spring can be positioned in various operating positions, providing compensation for thermal expansion of metal components, the required contact force of seat 9 to ball plug 4 is maintained to adapt to changing operating conditions.

[0039] The sleeve 5 maintains the ball plug 4 in the desired position and prevents wear by reducing friction between the ball plug 4, seat 9, pressure springs 6, and body 1, since the ball plug 4 frequently rotates and must remain sealed when closing and opening. The sleeve 5 also provides access for steam and coke to the pressure springs 6 and the seat. The sleeve 5 comprises a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels 11 and an annular channel 10. The system of steam channels is formed by one annular channel 10 located on the outer surface of the sleeve at an equal distance parallel to the edge of the sleeve and longitudinal channels 11 uniformly located on the outer surface of the sleeve 5, which are perpendicular to the annular channel 10.The location of the longitudinal channel 10 is selected in accordance with the design of the ball valve so that the outlet of the steam supply pipe 12 is directed into the annular channel 10, wherein the annular channel 10 is connected to the steam supply pipe 12, through which the supplied steam for purging the body 1 of the ball valve from coke and the remains of the medium first enters the annular channel 10 of the sleeve, is uniformly distributed along the longitudinal channels 11 and passes into the gap between the seat 9, the sleeve 5 and the nozzle flange 7, which remains accessible for purging due to the pressure springs 6 and then into the internal cavity 8 of the body 1 of the ball valve. The type of passage of gas flows in the body 1 of the ball valve with the system of steam channels of the sleeve is shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the pressure springs 6 rest against the end surface of the sleeve 5, without impeding the passage of steam flows along the outer surface of the sleeve 5.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, longitudinal channels 11 are evenly distributed along the outer surface of sleeve 5 and are the same depth as annular channel 10, allowing steam to pass unimpeded and be evenly distributed. However, embodiments with shallower longitudinal channels 11 may be implemented to increase steam pressure.

[0041] It is preferable that at least three springs 6 and at least three longitudinal channels 11 of the sleeve 5 are located per each medium outlet unit 3. This facilitates uniform pressure distribution from the springs 6 across the seat 9 and eliminates skewing, which is possible with two diametrically located springs 6. It has also been experimentally confirmed that at least three evenly spaced longitudinal channels 11 of the sleeve are required for uniform distribution of steam from the branch pipe, since with two or one channel, it is difficult to achieve uniform distribution of steam from the annular channel. An embodiment is known in which the number of longitudinal channels 11 is equal to the number of springs 6.The number of longitudinal channels 11 is selected in accordance with the parameters of the ball valve and the intensity of the purge steam pressure. However, it has been experimentally confirmed that when the number of longitudinal channels 11 exceeds twelve, the pressure supplied through the steam supply pipe 12 and distributed along the annular channel 10, when distributed along the longitudinal channels 11, drops so much that the purge quality becomes insufficient. This can be resolved by including additional pipes in the design. However, for the described design, the recommended number of longitudinal channels 11 of the sleeve is from three to twelve. With these values, a preferential increase in the reliability of the ball valve is achieved.

[0042] The claimed utility model operates as follows.

[0043] When the operator rotates the spindle 2, the ball plug 4 begins to rotate in the body 1 of the valve. Depending on the position of the ball plug 4, the openness of the medium flows inside the valve changes, which allows the working medium to be directed to the desired unit 3 of the medium outlet. If the direction of the plug 4 coincides with the outlet of the medium, the internal cavity 8 is completely sealed due to the tight fit of the ball plug 4 to the seat 9. The pressure springs 6, pressing the seat 9, also compensate for the thermal expansion of the metal components, provide pressure on the plug 4 in such a way that sealing and separation of the working medium and the cleaning hot steam supplied from the branch pipe 12 are realized. When steam is supplied from the branch pipe 12, one end of which is connected to the annular channel 10 of the sleeve 5, the steam enters the system of steam channels and is evenly distributed along the longitudinal heating elements 11 of the sleeve 5.Steam then passes into the gap between seat 9, sleeve 5, and flange 7, which remains accessible for purging thanks to pressure springs 6, and then into the internal cavity of ball valve body 8. Hot steam creates excess pressure within the valve body, creating a steam cushion that, in addition to cleaning the internal surfaces, ensures a seal and is discharged into the general flow along with dust and residual working fluid. Cleaning of hard-to-reach components is possible thanks to the design of the ball valve with a sleeve featuring a system of steam channels. This helps prevent the accumulation of dust and coke, facilitating their removal, resulting in an extended service life and, consequently, increased overall reliability.

[0044] Thus, thanks to the use in the ball valve with springs 6 of the design of the sleeve 5 with a system of steam channels, including longitudinal channels 11 and annular channel 10, which conduct steam from the steam supply pipe 12, which is connected to the annular channel 10, through the longitudinal channels 11 into the internal cavity 8 of the body 1 of the valve, conducting steam into the internal cavity 8 of the body 1, cleaning it from dust and coke, the service life of the ball valve is increased, the reliability and durability of the ball valve as a whole is increased.

Claims

1. A ball valve comprising a body with an internal cavity, a ball plug, wherein the body is made with medium outlet units and contains, for each medium outlet unit, a flange, a sleeve and a seat with pressure springs that provide pressure on the plug, characterized in that the sleeve contains a system of steam channels including longitudinal channels and an annular channel, wherein the annular channel is connected to a steam supply pipe, and the longitudinal channels exit on one side into the annular channel, and on the other into the seat, with the ability to conduct steam into the internal cavity of the body.

2. A ball valve according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the longitudinal channels are distributed evenly over the outer surface of the sleeve.

3. A ball valve according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the depth of the longitudinal channels and the depth of the annular channel of the sleeve coincide.

4. A ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three springs and at least three longitudinal channels of the sleeve are located on each medium outlet unit.

5. A ball valve according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the number of longitudinal channels is equal to the number of springs.

6. A ball valve according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the number of longitudinal channels does not exceed twelve.

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