Multiport Coker Switch Valve for Continuous Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coker switch valves (CSVs) face issues such as flow interruption, coke formation, valve seizure, misalignment, uneven seat loading, leakage, excessive steam consumption, and complex maintenance due to the use of bellows resilient members and steam purging, leading to reliability problems and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A multiport valve with a sealed semi-trunnion arrangement supporting a spherical flow control element, featuring a larger outlet bore than the inlet, which maintains alignment and equalizes wiping forces, eliminates bellows resilient members, and simplifies steam purging, allowing for reduced steam consumption and minimized process media entry into the valve cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bellows resilient members are used to load valve seats, then valve seating is achieved, but fouling occurs and additional leak paths are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bellows resilient members from the valve seat loading mechanism. Instead, it uses a simplified system where the valve body and bonnet directly bias the resilient members to load the seats, eliminating the bellows component that causes fouling and creates leak paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex bellows resilient members with simpler, more durable resilient members that can be easily replaced. The new design uses resilient members that are less prone to fouling and can be serviced without disconnecting piping.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional CSV switching is performed, then flow diversion between coke drums is achieved, but flow interruption occurs resulting in hot spots and coke deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the valve with a larger ball outlet area than the inlet, which allows for smoother flow transition during switching. The overlapping flow areas of the ball outlet with multiple body outlets enable continuous flow path maintenance, preventing hot spots and coke deposition during the switching process.
3Reliability
If steam purging is continuously performed, then coke formation is prevented, but excessive steam consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from continuous steam purging to periodic purging. Steam is now injected only during switching operations through purge inlets in the valve body, rather than continuously. This periodic action prevents coke formation when needed while dramatically reducing steam consumption during normal operation.
4Ease of repair
If outlet valve seat assemblies are accessed for servicing, then maintenance is performed, but line disconnection is required altering line loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve into modular components that can be serviced independently. The resilient members and seat assemblies can be removed and replaced without disconnecting the piping from the valve body. This modular design allows maintenance personnel to service the valve in place, eliminating the need to alter line loading or disconnect pipes.
5Reliability
If high loading stresses are applied to valve seats, then sealing is improved, but operating torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an asymmetric design where the ball outlet area is larger than the inlet area. This asymmetry creates overlapping flow areas that distribute the loading more evenly across the valve seats, maintaining sealing performance while reducing the torque required to operate the valve during switching operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces operating torque, simplifies repair and trim replacement, increases switching reliability, minimizes flow interruption, and lowers overall steam consumption while maintaining high process media flow rates during switching operations.
Implementation Method 1
a like plurality of resilient members, each biased between the valve body and a respective one of the outlet valve seat assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
Multiport valve with outlets transverse to the inlet useful as a coker switch valve. A sealed lower sleeve assembly provides semi-trunnion ball support. An upper part of the outlet seat recesses is formed in the bonnet, and a lower part in the valve body, which together bias a resilient member to load the seats, independently of end connections. Before bonnet assembly, when the ball is rotated to face a body outlet, there is sufficient space in the seat recesses to insert the seat, slide the seat onto the ball, and then insert the resilient member. When all the seats and resilient members are in place, engagement of the bonnet biases the upper part of the resilient members to load the seat. In valve operation, an enlarged ball outlet bore can straddle two outlet ports and maintain process media flow during switching. Also, methods of assembling, operating, and servicing the valve.