Valves Supplied

Size:       4” ANSI 300 Class
Body Material:    WCC Carbon Steel
Internals:    Carbon Steel – Electrolysis Nickel Plated   
Trim:    Metal Seated       
Port:    Full Port
Connections:    Raised Face Flanged

Service Conditions

Media:    Solids – Catalyst - Aluminum Pellets   
Manual / Actuated:    Gear Operated
Temperature:    350F   
Orientation (Stem: Horizontal, Vertical, Other):    Horizontal
Pressure:    250 psig   
Frequency:    3-4 times per day

Application/Service Conditions

Valve installation is described as a gravity feed - catalyst loading application. Catalyst consists of aluminum pellets ranging from 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in size. Catalyst pellets are pure aluminum. Since the facility’s original construction (1990) the maintenance group has installed multiple ball valve manufacturers’ standard – quarter turn ball valve designs. The customer has extensively tested both resilient and metal seated options. Resilient seated valves have lasted as long as 2 to 3 months while some metal seated designs lasted as much as 6 months.

The first Hemiwedge valve was installed in Oct 2008. It was de-pressured after approximately 11 months of service. The original cartridge was removed and replaced with a new cartridge and the bonnet fasteners were re-torqued in less than 30 minutes during that unit outage. (Photo of ID of valve during this outage) 

The cartridge was returned to the Hemiwedge facility for inspection. The internals were found to be in excellent condition with the exception of the seat - that had minor abrasions to one area. A new seat was machined and lapped to the existing Hemi and the “surplus” cartridge was returned to the customer for their storage/inventory.

They have replaced all valves in this catalyst feed application with the Hemiwedge Valve metal seated design.