Valve Selection Guide API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 SECOND EDITION, AUGUST 2016 Special Notes API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights API publications may be used by anyone desiring to so Every effort has been made by the Institute to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices Users of this recommended practice should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document Sound business, scientific, engineering, and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction All rights reserved No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher Contact the publisher, API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 Copyright © 2016 American Petroleum Institute Foreword Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent Shall: As used in a recommended practice, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the recommended practice Should: As used in a recommended practice, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the recommended practice May: As used in a recommended practice, “may” denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a recommended practice Can: As used in a recommended practice, “can” denotes a statement of possibility or capability This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years A onetime extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000 A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, standards@api.org iii Contents Scope Terms and Definitions 3.1 3.2 3.3 Considerations for Valve Selection Valve Functions Valve Types Other Considerations 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 Primary Valve Types Valves to Stop Flow or to Provide for Equipment Isolation (Block Valves) Valves for Preventing Flow Reversal (Check Valves) Valves for Throttling (Controlling) Flow—Globe Valves 10 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Service Considerations 10 General 10 Chlorine Service 10 Cryogenic (Low-temperature) Service 11 Hydrofluoric Acid Service 11 Hydrogen Service 11 Oxygen Service 11 Sour Service (Wet H2S Service) 11 Viscous or Solidifying Service 12 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Valve Material Selection 12 Body Material Selection 12 Valve Trim Selection 12 Seating Surfaces—Soft Seats 13 Stem Sealing—Fugitive Emissions 13 Valve Bonnet Gaskets 14 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 Valve Specific Features and Options 14 Valve Operation 14 Position Indication 14 Hot Tap Valves 14 Double Block Valves for Positive Isolation 14 Double Block-and-Bleed (DB&B) Valves (Single Valve) 15 “Fire Tested” Valves 15 Valve End Connections 15 Cavity Overpressure 15 Flange Shields 15 Valve Purge Connections 16 Steps for Valve Selection and Procurement 16 Annex A (informative) Schematic Drawings for Typical Valve Types 17 Annex B (informative) Examples of Typical Valve Purchase Descriptions 34 Bibliography 35 v Contents Figures A.1 Typical API 600 Bolted Bonnet Gate Valve—Outside Screw and Yoke 17 A.2 Typical API 602 Bolted Bonnet Gate Valve 18 A.3 Typical API 602 Welded Bonnet Gate Valve 18 A.4 Typical Valve Nomenclature Example from API 603 19 A.5 Typical Example of Floating Ball Valve—One Piece Body Design Illustrated 20 A.6 Typical Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves—Two Examples of Split Body Designs 21 A.7 Typical Sleeve Lined Plug Valve 22 A.8 Typical Nonlubricated Plug Valve 22 A.9 Typical Lubricated Plug Valve 23 A.10 Typical Category A Butterfly Valve 24 A.11a Typical Category B Butterfly Valve—Double Offset Type 24 A.11b Detail of Double Offset Butterfly Valve—Disc and Seats (Seal) 25 A.12 Detail of Triple Offset Butterfly Valve—Disc and Seats (Seal) 26 A.13 Typical Single-plate Wafer Check Valve 27 A.14 Typical Dual-plate Wafer Check Valve 28 A.15 Typical Flanged Swing Check Valve 29 A.16 Typical Ball Check Valve—Threaded End 29 A.17 Typical Piston Check Valve—Threaded End 30 A.18 Typical Threaded Globe Valve 31 A.19 Typical Flanged Globe Valve 32 A.20 Example of API 602 Bellows Stem Seal 33 Introduction API Recommended Practice (RP) 615 was developed to aid in the selection of valves for the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI), which includes refineries and petrochemical and chemical plants and the various processes associated with them This RP may assist in the selection of valves for other industrial processes, such as power or general industry process applications The task force members who developed this document represent many years of experience in the design and selection of valves and are comprised of professionals from manufacturing, engineering contractors, and end users The objective of this RP is to disseminate suggested information on valve selection recommendations as an aid to reduce operational problems and maintenance costs Although this RP provides guidance on the selection of valves, the valve specifier or end user is required to pay particular attention to, and is ultimately responsible for, all aspects of the application involving process, metallurgical, and mechanical considerations Typical purchase descriptions are provided in the Annex to assist in the complete definition of valve details to help ensure that the correct product is specified for the intended application Of prime importance, however, is that this RP is a general guideline for valve selection; the final responsibility is that of the user of this document Valve Selection Guide Scope This Recommended Practice (RP) provides general guidance on valve selection for the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI), which includes refineries and petrochemical, chemical, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants and their various associated processes Selection guidance is provided for valve types covered by ASME B16.34 and API Valve Standards for the Downstream Segment, which include gate, ball, plug, butterfly, check, and globe valves Modulating control valves and pressure relief valves are outside the scope of this RP Terms and Definitions For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply 2.1 abrasive service Abrasive service is a term used to identify fluids containing particulates that are likely to damage a valve’s pressure boundary or internals through erosion Fluids containing rust, scale, welding slag, sand, catalyst fines, grit, and hydrocarbon particles (coke) may fall in this category 2.2 bellows seal A flexible metal bellows used in place of or in addition to valve stem packing to provide a positive seal against leakage to atmosphere 2.3 chlorine service Services containing liquid or vapor chlorine in concentrations higher than ppm as defined in 29 CFR 1910 This does not include water services containing chlorine for pH balancing or as a biocide 2.4 clean service Clean service is a term used to identify fluids free from solids or contaminants that could interfere with proper valve operation and/or closure Clean fluids include most light hydrocarbons, instrument air, nitrogen, water, steam, lube oil, diesel oil, methanol, etc 2.5 closure member This refers to the component in the valve that serves to stop flow (internal disc, ball, and plug, for example) A closure member may also be referred to as the valve obturator 2.6 cryogenic service The lower end of low temperature service (such as liquefied gas) typically between –163 °C to –196 °C (–261 ° F to –320 °F) 2.7 dirty service Dirty service is a general term used to identify fluids with suspended solids that may impair the proper performance of a valve Detrimental effects of suspended solids on valve performance can be mitigated by minimizing or purging dead zones where suspended solids may accumulate Dirty service can also be an abrasive service API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 2.8 double block and bleed (DB&B) valve A valve equipped with both upstream and downstream seats as well as a bleed valve to vent the body cavity between the seats The bleed valve can be used to confirm that the valve seats are holding from either direction, or in the case of upstream seat leakage, to reduce or eliminate any upstream pressure acting on the downstream seat 2.9 fouling/scaling service Fouling or scaling services are general terms used to identify liquids or elements of liquids that form a deposit on surfaces Such deposits may vary widely in nature, with varying hardness, strength of adhesion and rates of buildup 2.10 fugitive emissions Leakage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typically from valve stem seals and bolted joints 2.11 hardfacing Hardfacing refers to the use of a high-hardness material such as Co-Cr A applied to the seating surfaces of valves to provide for longer life and improved resistance to galling of the contacting parts 2.12 high-temperature service High-temperature service, as it relates to valves, is typically defined as a service with temperature higher than 205 °C (400 °F) for soft seated valves and 400 °C (750 °F) for metal seated valves 2.13 hydrogen service Services containing hydrogen at partial pressure with a temperature above the carbon steel curve in API RP 941 2.14 hydrofluoric acid (HFA) service Fluid streams containing dilute or concentrated amounts of toxic hydrofluoric (HF) acid In the presence of water, HF acid and carbon steel forms a scale (iron fluoride) that can block pipes and valve cavities and adhere to the metallic sealing surfaces of the valve closure member, seats, and flanges 2.15 low-temperature service Low-temperature service is generally defined in the process industry as services that range from –196 °C (–320 °F) up to –30 °C (–21 °F) These services include LNG liquefaction and gasification, natural gas liquid (NGL) production, and ethylene production 2.16 non-Newtonian fluid A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid whose flow properties are not described by a single constant value of viscosity For a non-Newtonian fluid, the relation between the shear stress and the strain rate (viscosity) is nonlinear, and can even be time-dependent 2.17 oxygen service Fluid streams containing more than 23 % by volume oxygen as defined by CGA G4.4 2.18 pulsating flow service Unsteady fluid flow in a piping system resulting from repeating pressure variations such as occur with a reciprocating pump or compressor This unsteady flow creates a periodic increase and decrease of flow and pressure in the pipe VALVE SELECTION GUIDE 2.19 pressure seal bonnet A removable valve bonnet design which makes use of internal valve pressure to provide for a tight seal and eliminates the need for a bonnet flange 2.20 solidifying service Solidifying service is a general term used to identify fluids that change from liquid to solid unless maintained at certain conditions of temperature, pressure, and flow It is a term generally associated with fluids such as liquid sulfur and heavy fuel oil in which valves often require external heat input (e.g via steam-jacketing) or purging to prevent the fluid from solidifying and affecting valve operability 2.21 slurry service Slurry service is a general term used to define liquids with substantial solids in suspension Often the solid is the product and the fluid is simply used to facilitate flow (e.g coal slurries and catalyst services) 2.22 stress cracking Material failure resulting from exposure to aggressive environments, such as wet H2S exposure, chlorides, hydrogen, ammonia, or amines 2.23 sour (wet H2S) service Services with greater than 50 wppm of H2S in a water phase (determined by using the total amount of sulfide in the water phase) or 0.05 psia H2S partial pressure in the gas phase with liquid water present 2.24 utility service Services generally limited to air, water, nitrogen, and steam at pressures below 150 psi (1035 kPa) and at temperatures between –29 °C (–20 ° F) and 186 °C (366 °F) 2.25 viscous service Viscous service is a term that generally identifies a wide range of fluids with pronounced thickness and adhesive properties Fluids include high-viscosity oils (lube and heavy fuel oil) and non-Newtonian fluids such as waxy crude, gels, and pastes Considerations for Valve Selection 3.1 Valve Functions Consideration of valve function: — stop flow (on–off or isolation valves referred to as block valves), — prevent flow reversal (check valves including stop-check valves), — regulate flow (control flow rate by throttling flow), — prevent overpressure in piping system (pressure relief valves—not in scope of this RP) VALVE SELECTION GUIDE Figure A.9—Typical Lubricated Plug Valve 23 24 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 Figure A.10—Typical Category A Butterfly Valve Figure A.11a—Typical Category B Butterfly Valve—Double Offset Type VALVE SELECTION GUIDE Figure A.11b—Detail of Double Offset Butterfly Valve—Disc and Seats (Seal) 25 26 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 Figure A.12—Detail of Triple Offset Butterfly Valve—Disc and Seats (Seal) VALVE SELECTION GUIDE Figure A.13—Typical Single-plate Wafer Check Valve 27 28 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 Figure A.14—Typical Dual-plate Wafer Check Valve VALVE SELECTION GUIDE Figure A.15—Typical Flanged Swing Check Valve Figure A.16—Typical Ball Check Valve—Threaded End 29 30 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 Figure A.17—Typical Piston Check Valve—Threaded End VALVE SELECTION GUIDE Figure A.18—Typical Threaded Globe Valve 31 32 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 Figure A.19—Typical Flanged Globe Valve VALVE SELECTION GUIDE Figure A.20—Example of API 602 Bellows Stem Seal 33 Annex B (informative) Examples of Typical Valve Purchase Descriptions API valve standards specify information that needs to be provided by the purchaser to fully define valve details required for the intended service B.1 API 600 Gate Valve Gate valve (API 600); NPS 18, Class 300; raised face flanged ends; ASTM A216 WCB body; bolted bonnet, OS&Y, with flexible wedge; spiral-wound flexible graphite filled gasket, flexible graphite packing; trim #5; gear operation for 400 psig pressure differential; NPS /4 NPT drain connection in position G (per ASME B16.34); third-party inspection by purchaser B.2 API 600 Gate Valve (Cryogenic Service) Gate valve (API 600) for cryogenic service from –32 °F (–196 °C); NPS 6, Class 150; raised face flanged ends; ASTM A351 CF8M or ASTM A182 F316/316L (casting to have Ferrite Number of or less per ASTM A800); Mill Test Report required; stainless steel yoke and bonnet bolting, ASTM A320 Gr B8 Cl 2; bolted bonnet, OS&Y, solid or flexible wedge; trim #12; flexible graphite packing; extended bonnet and cryogenic design/testing requirements per ISO 28921-1; witnessed cryogenic testing and inspection by purchaser B.3 API 602 Gate Valve Gate valve (API 602); NPS 2, Class 800; socket weld ends; ASTM A105 body; welded bonnet, OS&Y; flexible graphite packing; trim #8 B.4 API 608 Ball Valve Ball valve (API 608); NPS 6, Class 300; raised face flanged ends; ASTM A216 WCB or ASTM A105; Type 316 stainless steel stem and ball; PTFE or RTFE seats, reduced bore; bidirectional with body cavity overpressure protection; gear operator; flexible graphite body seals, gasket, and packing; lockable device; fire tested design per API 607 B.5 API 623 Globe Valve Globe valve (API 623); NPS 3, Class 600, raised face flanged ends; ASTM A216 WCB; bolted bonnet, OS&Y, swivel disc; stainless steel reinforced flexible graphite or stainless steel spiral-wound flexible graphite filled gasket; flexible graphite packing; trim #8 B.6 API 609 Butterfly Valve Butterfly valve (API 609 Category B, triple offset type); NPS 10, Class 300; raised face double flanged, long pattern; ASTM A105 or ASTM A216 WCB; bidirectional flow for on-off service; graphite laminated stainless steel seal ring; graphite seals; flexible graphite packing; gear operated; API 598 testing with leak rates for resilient seated valves; fire tested design per API 607 B.7 API 599 Sleeved Plug Valve Plug Valve (API 599); sleeve-lined type, full bore; NPS 2, Class 300; raised face flanged ends; ASTM A216 WCB body; ASTM A351 CF8M plug; PTFE sleeve with PTFE stem seals; wrench operated (included), with lockable device 34 Bibliography [1] API Standard 594, Check Valves: Flanged, Lug, Wafer, and Butt-welding [2] API Standard 598, Valve Inspection and Testing [3] API Standard 599, Metal Plug Valves—Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends [4] API Standard 600, Steel Gate Valves—Flanged and Butt-welding Ends, Bolted Bonnets [5] API Standard 602, Steel Gate, Globe and Check Valves for Sizes NPS and Smaller [6] API Standard 603, Corrosion-resistant, Bolted Bonnet Gate Valves—Flanged and Butt-welding Ends [7] API Standard 607, Fire Testing for Soft-seated Quarter-turn Valves [8] API Standard 608, Metal Ball Valves—Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends [9] API Standard 609, Butterfly Valves—Double Flanged, Lug- and Wafer-Type [10] API RP 622, Type Testing of Process Valve Packing for Fugitive Emissions [11] API Standard 623, Steel Globe Valves – Flanged and Butt-welding Ends, Bolted Bonnets [12] API Standard 624, Type Testing of Rising Stem Valves Equipped with Graphite Packing for Fugitive Emissions [13] API RP 941, Steels for Hydrogen Service at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures in Petroleum Refineries and Petrochemical Plants [14] ASME B16.1 , Gray Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings [15] ASME B16.24, Cast Copper Alloy Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings [16] ASME B16.34, Valves—Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End [17] ASME B16.42, Ductile Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings, Class 150 and 300 [18] CGA G4.1 , Cleaning Equipment for Oxygen Service [19] CGA G4.4, Oxygen Pipeline and Piping Systems [20] Chlorine Institute Pamphlet No , Piping Systems for Dry Chlorine [21] Code of Federal Regulations: 29 CFR 1910 (Occupational Safety and Health Standards) 3 ASME International, Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016-5990, www.asme.org Compressed Gas Association, 4221 Walney Road, 5th Floor, Chantilly, Virginia 20151, www.cganet.com The Chlorine Institute—Headquarters Office 1300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia 22209, www.chlorineinstitute.org 35 36 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 [22] ISO 28921-1 , Industrial Valves—Isolating Valves for Low-temperature applications—Part 1: Design, Manufacturing and Production Testing [23] MSS SP-120 , Flexible Graphite Packing Systems for Rising Stem Steel Valves—Design Requirements [24] MSS SP-134, Valves for Cryogenic Service Including Requirements for Body/Bonnet Extensions [25] MSS SP-135, High Pressure Knife Gate Valves [26] MSS SP-138, Quality Standard Practice for Oxygen Cleaning of Valves and Fittings [27] MSS SP-143, Live-loaded Valve Stem Packing Systems [28] MSS SP-144, Pressure Seal Bonnet Valves [29] NACE MR0103 Environments 6 , Materials Resistant to Sulfide Stress Cracking in Corrosive Petroleum Refining International Organization for Standardization, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc., 127 Park Street, NE, Vienna, Virginia 22180-4602, www.mss-hq.com NACE International (formerly the National Association of Corrosion Engineers), 1440 South Creek Drive, Houston, Texas 77218-8340, www.nace.org Product No C61502