Space valves
Space valves with technical advice from a specialist
The technology behind space valves explained
Space valves are built for applications where qualification, mass and full traceability weigh at least as heavily as the technical performance itself. Once space valves is correctly specified it disappears from the fault list, and that is exactly the intention. With space valves the difference between a good and a mediocre solution often sits in details that do not show on a drawing. There is a clear difference between isolating and controlling, and many problems arise because an isolation valve is given a control duty it was never built for. Isolation valves separate sections so that work can be carried out safely, which makes the tightness requirement a safety requirement. The sector in which the valve runs additionally determines which standards, inspections and documentation have to be supplied. We regularly see that a small change in the execution of space valves makes a large difference to maintenance frequency. Operating conditions govern the service life of space valves far more strongly than the nominal figures on a datasheet. On space valves we always check the full operating envelope, including start up and shutdown. A valve is selected on medium, pressure, temperature, tightness requirement and actuation, in that order. In petrochemicals high temperature, high pressure, sour gas and strict emission requirements come together in the same plant. It pays to understand the working principle behind space valves first, because the limits follow from that principle.
What to watch technically on space valves
Documentation requirements are extreme, with traceability from material batch through to final assembly. What weighs heaviest on space valves in practice is the combination of temperature and differential pressure, not either one alone. How space valves behaves under varying load says more about the quality of the selection than behaviour under steady load. Test media are frequently cryogenic propellants, which combines low temperature with extreme cleanliness requirements. Industrial valves together form the control and isolation system of a plant, and their reliability largely determines plant availability. In a pipeline the issues are long distances, varying conditions and limited access, which puts reliability above everything else. In chemicals the variety of media is greatest, and material selection is often reconsidered for each section of pipework. Batch sizes are small and every unit is treated individually, which changes the economics of the whole supply chain. We supply both individual valves and complete packages for a project scope, including actuation and documentation. Dutch Valve Vision deliberately works in the specials segment, because that is where technical knowledge makes the difference. With space valves it pays to include phase changes in the medium, because those sharply increase the load on the seal. The balance between required tightness and available operating force is a recurring tension on space valves.
Space valves in chemicals, power and process industry
Applications include propellant handling, test stands, ground support equipment and gas supply systems. In pipelines and tank storage the drivers are isolation, safety and demonstrable tightness over long periods. Our customers work in chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, power generation, offshore and in hydrogen and ammonia projects. In an existing plant space valves is often part of a wider question about availability and maintenance. Demand for space valves reaches us mainly from projects where the standard range falls short. Our customers use space valves in positions where a failure has immediate consequences for production. On project supply we record per position which execution of space valves was delivered, including materials and tests. In process industry the emphasis is on reproducibility, which translates into tight selection and good documentation. We work as a technical supplier rather than a catalogue reseller, which means we carry out the selection ourselves on the basis of medium, pressure, temperature and code requirements. We think along from the basic specification through to the tag plate, and supply documentation that a buyer or inspector accepts without discussion. We see demand for space valves rising in hydrogen and ammonia projects, where tightness requirements are high. For space valves the sector determines which documentation and tests belong with the delivery.
How to select space valves without mistakes
If a simpler type will do the job, we say so on space valves, even when that means a smaller order. On replacement questions we check the installation dimensions of the existing valve, so no pipework modification is needed. Standardisation across a plant saves on spare parts and on the knowledge the maintenance team has to keep current. Total cost of ownership weighs more than purchase price, because a valve that has to be replaced during a shutdown costs a multiple. For space valves we ask as standard for DN, pressure class, medium, temperature and required actuation. Standardising across several positions makes space valves simpler in maintenance and in spare parts management. The cleaning and flushing procedure counts too on space valves, because it can be more aggressive than the process itself. Where there is doubt about space valves we quote two executions side by side, with the trade offs stated explicitly. We also advise when the conclusion is that a simpler or cheaper type is sufficient, because a satisfied customer comes back. For recurring supply we record the configuration, so follow up orders run without repeated engineering. If you have an existing tag plate or serial number, send it along, because that lets us work directly from the original configuration. The required leakage class often drives the choice around space valves more strongly than the budget does.
Ordering space valves from Dutch Valve Vision
For space valves you can come to Dutch Valve Vision for the selection, the delivery and the support afterwards. Our market is project driven and international, and we deliver worldwide to installers, EPC contractors and end users. Even when the specification for space valves is not yet finalised, you can bring the question to us. For repeat orders of space valves we record the configuration, so a follow up delivery is identical to the first. We quote a realistic lead time rather than an optimistic one, because a missed delivery date costs more than an extra week in the planning. For shutdowns and turnarounds we look at accelerated routes, and in those cases we are honest up front about what is and is not achievable. We record which execution of space valves was delivered, so a follow up delivery or spare part matches exactly later on. We keep the configuration data for space valves on file, which saves a great deal of searching if a fault occurs later. Tests around space valves are carried out by us or on our instruction according to the requirements in the specification. We think along on the spare parts strategy for space valves, so critical positions stay covered. We supply space valves as a loose product or as a fully assembled unit with actuator and accessories. Bring us your question at sales@dutchvalvevision.com or +31 (0)70-2210560, even when the specification is not finalised yet.
Frequently asked questions about space valves
What exactly does space valves mean?
The sector in which the valve runs additionally determines which standards, inspections and documentation have to be supplied. Industrial valves together form the control and isolation system of a plant, and their reliability largely determines plant availability. In petrochemicals high temperature, high pressure, sour gas and strict emission requirements come together in the same plant. There is a clear difference between isolating and controlling, and many problems arise because an isolation valve is given a control duty it was never built for. On space valves we include start up and shutdown, because that is where the heaviest loading occurs. We always explain why we arrive at a particular recommendation on space valves, so you can follow the reasoning yourself. We approach space valves from the question of what the plant has to do, not from the question of what happens to be in stock. Dutch Valve Vision operates under a KIWA ISO 9001 certified quality system, which in the RFQ stage of chemical and offshore projects is usually a hard requirement.
Which executions of space valves are available?
For recurring supply we record the configuration, so follow up orders run without repeated engineering. Dutch Valve Vision deliberately works in the specials segment, because that is where technical knowledge makes the difference. We also advise when the conclusion is that a simpler or cheaper type is sufficient, because a satisfied customer comes back. We supply both individual valves and complete packages for a project scope, including actuation and documentation. If you are unsure about this on space valves, we are glad to put the question alongside the actual process data. The answer to this question on space valves changes as soon as the medium or the temperature changes. With space valves the seat is the component that determines performance, and the body is rarely the limiting factor. Alongside QUADAX and PRUSS we represent Pibiviesse, Schroeder, Striko, Malbranque, Daume, FluoroSeal and Guichon, so we can select the right brand for each project.
Which materials are used for space valves?
Test media are frequently cryogenic propellants, which combines low temperature with extreme cleanliness requirements. A valve is selected on medium, pressure, temperature, tightness requirement and actuation, in that order. Documentation requirements are extreme, with traceability from material batch through to final assembly. Isolation valves separate sections so that work can be carried out safely, which makes the tightness requirement a safety requirement. This is one of the points on space valves where suppliers differ most clearly from one another. On space valves we prefer a well founded answer to a fast one that turns out to be wrong later. That principle explains why space valves behaves differently from a standard execution under heavier duty. Our customers work in chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, power generation, offshore and in hydrogen and ammonia projects.
What should I watch technically on space valves?
What should I watch technically on space valves?
Which applications call for space valves?
In pipelines and tank storage the drivers are isolation, safety and demonstrable tightness over long periods. In process industry the emphasis is on reproducibility, which translates into tight selection and good documentation. Applications include propellant handling, test stands, ground support equipment and gas supply systems. Our customers work in chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, power generation, offshore and in hydrogen and ammonia projects. The answer on space valves depends strongly on operating conditions, which is why we always ask for those first. We see this come back regularly in enquiries about space valves, and the answer is rarely a single sentence. On replacement we always check the existing installation dimensions for space valves, so the pipework can stay untouched. What defines us is that we would rather spend an extra half hour on the specification than ship the wrong valve that comes back two months later.
What determines the price and lead time of space valves?
We keep spare parts and overhaul kits mapped per project, so that a breakdown does not start with a search from scratch. If you have an existing tag plate or serial number, send it along, because that lets us work directly from the original configuration. Please also state the connection standard, the required leakage class and any project requirements such as NACE, PED or ATEX. A P&ID, a datasheet or even a photograph of the existing installation often helps us faster than a long description. That makes space valves a subject where discussion up front pays for itself in operation. For space valves a good specification up front is cheaper than a correction afterwards. Our specialists are happy to discuss space valves on the basis of your P&ID, your datasheet or simply a photograph of the situation. Call +31 (0)70-2210560 or send your specification to sales@dutchvalvevision.com and we will pick it up.
What about maintenance and spare parts on space valves?
We quote a realistic lead time rather than an optimistic one, because a missed delivery date costs more than an extra week in the planning. Lead times depend on the execution, because a standard size from a running series behaves very differently from a valve in an exotic alloy with NACE certification. For shutdowns and turnarounds we look at accelerated routes, and in those cases we are honest up front about what is and is not achievable. Documentation such as material certificates, test reports and declarations is supplied as standard, matched to what the project requires. We see this come back regularly in enquiries about space valves, and the answer is rarely a single sentence. Our experience with space valves comes from projects in chemicals, power generation, technical gases and offshore. Material certificates and test reports are supplied with space valves, matched to what the project requires. We work as a technical supplier rather than a catalogue reseller, which means we carry out the selection ourselves on the basis of medium, pressure, temperature and code requirements.
How do I request a quotation for space valves?
On repeat orders we record the configuration, so a follow up delivery is identical to the first and installation holds no surprises. We come back with a proposal that explains why we recommend a particular execution, including the alternatives we considered. For an accurate quotation we need the nominal diameter, the pressure class, the medium, the operating temperature and the required actuation. For shutdowns and turnarounds we look at accelerated routes, and in those cases we are honest up front about what is and is not achievable. On space valves we prefer a well founded answer to a fast one that turns out to be wrong later. If you are unsure about this on space valves, we are glad to put the question alongside the actual process data. We handle an enquiry for space valves on its technical merits rather than as a price request that only produces a number. You can reach us on +31 (0)70-2210560 and at sales@dutchvalvevision.com, and our office hours are Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00.