Ball valve drainage assembly

Abstract

FIELD: gas industry.SUBSTANCE: drainage unit of a ball valve comprising a main shut-off element and a needle valve, in the body of which an inlet and a drainage channel are formed, connected to each other by a stepped channel, the edge of which forms a seat, a drainage shut-off element is installed with the possibility of interaction with the seat formed by the edge of the stepped channel, wherein the inlet channel has three branches, the outlet channels of which are located on adjacent surfaces of the body, on one of which the outlet of the drainage channel is formed, the outlets of the branches are made in the form of conical threaded holes with a means for measuring pressure installed in them with the possibility of rearrangement, mainly a pressure gauge, a plug and a padding nozzle with the possibility of ensuring a two-way supply of a medium, monitoring the tightness of the shutter by a manometric method, restoring the patency and tightness of the elements of the drainage pipeline of the ball valve.EFFECT: use in the maintenance (diagnostics) of ball valves to check the tightness of the valve and eliminate leaks.1 cl, 3 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the gas industry and can be used in the maintenance (diagnostics) of ball valves to monitor the tightness of the valve and eliminate leaks.

[0002] The design of ball valves includes a drainage system at the bottom of the body for draining water and condensate from the body and monitoring the tightness of the valve. The drainage system contains a drainage hole and a pipeline ending in a drainage unit, which includes a ball valve and an additional shut-off device [1, 2]. Checking the tightness of the ball valve valve is regulated by manufacturers and consists of checking for leaks by stopping gas escaping into the atmosphere through the drainage system. In practice, this can be performed during maintenance (diagnostics) using visual or instrumental methods [3].

[0003] The main drawback of the existing method for testing the tightness of a ball valve seal is the inability to confirm the seal's integrity without releasing a significant volume of gas into the atmosphere, as tightness is confirmed when gas escaping into the atmosphere ceases [3]. The released gas is a source of environmental pollution and reduces the reliability and safety of equipment operation. Impurities contained in the gas can lead to clogging of the drainage system. Leaks in drainage system components and connections require repairs, which involve shutting down the equipment and releasing the gas.

[0004] A needle valve [4] is known, designed to shut off and relieve pressure in communications.

[0005] The main disadvantages of this invention are:

[0006] - one-way supply of the working medium, which does not allow operations to restore the tightness of connections and the patency of channels;

[0007] - the presence of tortuous channels does not allow the discharge of contaminated condensate and water, there is a possibility of channel clogging;

[0008] - the capacity of the drainage shut-off valve is limited by the diameter of the hole in the fitting;

[0009] - the presence of an additional shut-off element complicates the design;

[0010] - the presence of a single body does not allow the replacement of individual threaded connections.

[0011] A drainage unit of a ball valve [3] is known, designed to drain water and condensate from the body, and to control the tightness of the ball valve shutter.

[0012] The main disadvantages of this unit are:

[0013] - limited functionality due to one-way supply of the working medium, which does not allow operations to restore the tightness of connections and the patency of channels;

[0014] - presence of a significant volume of vented gas during tightness testing;

[0015] - lack of possibility to control tightness by manometric method;

[0016] - the impossibility of restoring the patency of drainage pipeline elements when clogged;

[0017] - inability to supply sealing paste when leaks in drainage pipeline elements are detected.

[0018] The objective of the invention is to expand the functional capabilities of the drainage ball valve unit, aimed at ensuring the performance of technical maintenance (diagnostics), eliminating gas leaks in the drainage system, reducing the volume of bleed gas and increasing the reliability of its operation.

[0019] The technical result of the invention is to control the tightness of the valve using a manometric method, and to restore the patency and tightness of the elements of the drainage pipeline of the ball valve.

[0020] The problem is solved, and the technical result is achieved, by connecting a pressure gauge to one of the housing openings. Opening the main shut-off valve with the handle allows gas from the gas pipeline to flow through the drain line into the housing of the drainage unit. Rotating the plug opens the drain shut-off valve, allowing gas to escape to the atmosphere through the bypass tube and reducing the gas pressure. Rotating the plug closes the drain shut-off valve. The pressure is recorded on the pressure gauge and its change is monitored. If there is no change in pressure, the valve's tightness is confirmed. Restoring the patency of the drainage pipeline components is achieved by connecting a lubricant supply device to the packing nipple and injecting lubricant into the drainage system. If leaks are present, a sealing paste is applied in a similar manner.

[0021] The stated drainage unit is explained by:

[0022] Fig. 1 - longitudinal section of the proposed drainage unit;

[0023] Fig. 2 - cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the needle valve;

[0024] Fig. 3 - front view of the needle valve.

[0025] The figures show the drain assembly of the ball valve, which consists of the main shut-off element (1) and the needle valve (2), connected to the nipple (3) by nuts (4, 5), threaded connections (6, 7). The drain assembly of the ball valve is connected to the drain pipeline (8) by a nut (9), threaded connection (10). The main shut-off element (1) is controlled by the handle (11). The body (12) contains an inlet (13) and a drain (14) channels, connected to each other by a stepped channel (15). The edge (16) of the stepped channel (15) forms a seat (17). A drainage shut-off element (18) is installed in the body (12) with the possibility of interaction of the plug (19) with the stop (20) and the seat (17) formed by the edge (16) of the stepped channel (15). The inlet channel (13) has three branches (21, 22, 23), and the outlet of each of the branches is made in the form of a conical threaded hole (24, 25, 26).A packing nipple (27), a plug (28) and, preferably, a pressure measuring device, primarily a pressure gauge (not shown), are installed in the openings in a reversible manner. The outlet parts of the branches (21, 22, 23) are located on adjacent surfaces (29, 30, 31) of the body (12), on one of which a drainage channel (14) is made, which is connected by a threaded connection (32), a nut (33) with a bypass pipe (34).

[0026] The tightness of the ball valve is checked as follows.

[0027] The pressure gauge (not shown) is secured to the branch (23) through the internal conical thread (24). The pressure gauge can be secured to the branches (21, 22) through the internal conical thread (25, 26). In this case, the plug (28) and the packing nipple (27) are installed in the outlet openings of the branches (21, 22, 23) through the internal conical thread (24, 25, 26). The pressure gauge is secured with the main shut-off valve (1) closed and the drain shut-off valve (18) open. The drain shut-off valve (18) is closed by rotating the plug (19). The main shut-off valve (1) is opened with the handle (11), as a result of which gas from the drain pipeline (8) enters through the open main shut-off valve (1), nipple (3) into the inlet channel (13) and branches (21, 22, 23) of the body (12). The pressure is recorded using the pressure gauge.By rotating the plug (19), the drain shut-off valve (18) is opened, resulting in gas from the inlet channel (13) sequentially flowing through the open drain shut-off valve (18) into the stepped channel (15), the drain channel (14), the bypass pipe (34), and into the atmosphere. By rotating the plug (19), the drain shut-off valve (18) is closed, the pressure is recorded on the pressure gauge, and its change is monitored; if there is no change in pressure, the seal is confirmed to be tight.

[0028] Restoring the patency of drainage pipeline elements is carried out as follows.

[0029] The lubricant supply device (not shown conditionally) is connected to the packing nipple (27) with the main shut-off element (1) in the open position and the drainage shut-off element (18) in the closed position, lubricant is supplied, as a result of which the lubricant through the packing nipple (27) sequentially enters the branch (21), the inlet channel (13), the nipple (3), the main shut-off element (1), the drainage pipeline (8), restoring the patency of the drainage system elements.

[0030] Restoring the tightness of the drainage system elements is carried out as follows.

[0031] The lubricant supply device (not shown conditionally) is connected to the packing nipple (27) with the main shut-off element (1) in the open position and the drainage shut-off element (18) in the closed position, the sealing paste is supplied, as a result of which the sealing paste through the packing nipple (27) sequentially enters the branch (21), the inlet channel (13), the nipple (3), the main shut-off element (1), the drainage pipeline (8), restoring the tightness of the elements of the drainage system.

[0032] The essential distinguishing features of the declared drainage ball valve unit are:

[0033] - the inlet channel of the needle valve has three branches, the outlet channels of which are located on adjacent surfaces of the body, on one of which a drainage channel outlet is also made, the outlets of the branches are made in the form of conical threaded holes with a plug, a packing nipple and preferably a means for measuring pressure, mainly a pressure gauge, installed in them with the possibility of rearrangement;

[0034] - providing the ability to control the tightness of the valve using a manometric method;

[0035] - ensuring the possibility of restoring the patency and tightness of the elements of the drainage pipeline of the ball valve.

[0036] The declared essential distinctive features are unknown to us from the patent and scientific and technical information and, accordingly, are “New”.

[0037] Working drawings and strength calculations have been completed for the specified drainage unit, and a prototype has been manufactured. It has successfully passed tests during ball valve maintenance at Gazprom Transgaz Ukhta LLC facilities. Therefore, our device meets the "Industrial Applicability" criterion.

[0038] The declared unit allows for the maintenance (diagnostics) of ball valves with monitoring of the tightness of the shutter and elimination of gas leaks of drainage pipeline elements while minimizing harm to the environment and is designed to identify defective ball valves for the purpose of subsequent repair.

[0039] List of sources:

[0040] 1. STO Gazprom 2-4.1-212-2008 Regulatory documents for the design, construction and operation of OAO Gazprom facilities. General technical requirements for pipeline fittings supplied to OAO Gazprom facilities (clause 7.3.1.21).

[0041] 2. GOST R 56001-2014 Pipeline fittings for gas industry facilities. General technical requirements (clause 5.3.2.14).

[0042] 3. Installation, adjustment, operation and maintenance manual MA 39183-700 RE for ball valves manufactured by JSC NPO Tyazhpromarmatura.

[0043] 4. RU 2463503 C1, published 10.10.2012 Description of the invention for the patent "Needle valve".

Claims

A drainage unit of a ball valve comprising a main shut-off element and a needle valve, in the body of which an inlet and a drainage channel are formed, connected to each other by a stepped channel, the edge of which forms a seat, a drainage shut-off element is installed with the possibility of interaction with the seat formed by the edge of the stepped channel, characterized in that the inlet channel has three branches, the outlet channels of which are located on adjacent surfaces of the body, on one of which the outlet of the drainage channel is formed, the outlets of the branches are made in the form of conical threaded holes with a plug installed in them with the possibility of rearrangement, preferably a plug, a packing nipple and preferably a means for measuring pressure, preferably a pressure gauge, with the possibility of ensuring a two-way supply of a medium, monitoring the tightness of the shutter by a manometric method, restoring the patency and tightness of the elements of the drainage pipeline of the ball valve.

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