Valves are a critical part of your chlorine system, providing the control and the safety measures you need to run the system properly. But how do you choose chlorine valves? How do you know which brand or model will provide the highest level of durability, safety, and reliability?
There are so many brands and models of chlorine valves on the market today, which can make your buying decision a challenging one. Here are some tips to help you select and buy top-performing chlorine valves, so you can get the most value out of your investment.
The Material It Is Made Of
Chlorine is extremely dangerous – it is toxic, highly reactive, and can cause severe harm to one’s respiratory organs. As such, you will only want to purchase valves made from the highest quality materials to ensure top performance and safety for your personnel. Most industry experts recommend chlorine ball valves as they provide high-level safety and protection against the harmful effects of chlorine.
Chlorine also has a high expansion rate, so the quality of the outlets you select needs to be top-performing and extremely reliable to prevent any safety issues that may come up when working with chlorine.
As well, the body valve determines the quality of your chlorine valves. For best quality, you will want to select body valves made from WCB Grade castings or forgings and seals that are made of TFE.
How you choose a chlorine valve for your system really depends on the type of chlorine being used – specifically, whether it is dry or wet. This refers to the water content of the gas or liquid chlorine. Dry chlorine will include less than 150 ppm (parts per million) of water, while wet chlorine will feature more than 150 ppm. Whether the chlorine is dry or wet is important, because the presence of water can alter its behavior, making it more or less corrosive to certain materials. Chlorine itself is not corrosive, but it can become corrosive when it reacts with water.
Of course, the valve you choose needs to resist this corrosion. For dry chlorine, this typically means using valve fittings constructed from stainless steel, Monel alloys, or copper. As long as the temperature remains below 250 Fahrenheit, the dry chorine should not corrode the valve material.
For wet chlorine, however, the situation is different. Wet chlorine can corrode all of the materials listed above, even at lower temperatures. Titanium may be used in wet chlorine fittings but is unsuitable for dry chlorine systems. Fluoropolymer lining can also be used to act as a barrier between the chlorine and the metal itself, reducing the risk of corrosion.
All of this can be confusing, and choosing the wrong valve for your system can result in significant risks to human life and to the local environment. Be sure to check that the valve is rated for the type of chlorine you will be using before it is installed.
The Design of the Valve
The design you select will always affect the performance and efficiency of your chlorine valves. Good design is blow-out proof and can use the best packing rings, as well as allowing you to effectively control the backflow of chlorine. Also, choose a compact design that has good body cavity venting and encapsulated body seals. These features all enhance the functionality and value of your chlorine valves.
The Type of the Valve
There are a number of different valve types available for your chlorine system. When you select the right type of chlorine valve, you are looking for three key characteristics:
- A reliable shutoff, so that no chlorine gas can leak through the valve when it is closed
- Precise closing, giving operators more control as they close or open the valve in small increments
- Obvious visibility, providing a quick reference that confirms whether the valve is open or closed
Bear these characteristics in mind as you make your selection.
Globe Valves
A globe valve is named because of the wider, globe-like section where the gas flows through. The globe is divided into two chambers, and the wheel or handle opens and closes the partition between these chambers, operating the valve. Globe valves are a popular choice for chlorine gas applications, as they meet all of the three criteria listed above.
Ball valves
A ball valve utilizes a sphere-like component that sits within the pipe. An opening runs through the middle of this component, which may be the same diameter as the rest of the pipework in the system. Because of this, there is no constriction or reduction of flow when the valve is fully open, unlike with the globe valve, where the chamber may restrict the flow even if the valve is in an open position.
Check the bore of the ball valve. This will tell you whether the opening is the same diameter as the rest of the system or if it is a little smaller. A smaller bore will restrict the flow even if the valve is opened.
For chlorine applications, ball valves will usually need a pressure release component. This is because chlorine may become trapped within the bore of the ball when it turns and may expand and cause a hazard within the system.
Butterfly Valves
A butterfly valve incorporates a central disk that sits within the pipework. When the disk is turned 90 degrees relative to the direction of flow, a seal is created around the disk and the valve is closed. The valve can be opened in small, controlled amounts and is fully open when the disk is at 180 degrees to the direction of flow.
These valves can meet all of the criteria listed above as long as there is a sufficient seal created around the edge of the disk when it is closed. In larger-diameter sections of pipework, a soft seating seal may be required. Unlike with the ball valve, there is nowhere for chlorine to become trapped during valve opening and closing.
Manufacturing Facility & Technology
Chlorine valves made from the latest technology and top manufacturing facilities will ensure the highest quality product and value for you. You want to select chlorine valves made from automated manufacturing processes, as such operations will provide consistently higher-quality products.
As well, advanced process controls, such as helium leak checking and infrared thermal imaging, are extremely important because they help check for safety, quality, and reliability of your chlorine values.
Further, you will want to choose chlorine valves that are made in a strictly controlled, clean environment, with a detailed inspection and compliance testing of every part, to ensure top quality and performance for your valves.
For best quality valves, consider a supplier who also has a totally integrated valve manufacturing process. When a supplier manufactures their own rod and forgings, they can control all the components of chlorine valves more closely, resulting in more reliable and durable products.
Additional Tips for Choosing a Chlorine Valve
The other features you will want to take into consideration are the temperature ratings, flow co-efficient, and pressure ratings of the chlorine valves. Always ask about the dimensions and materials used to ensure the chlorine valves made to meet your requirements.
There are a few other aspects to remember as you choose the right chlorine valve for your purposes.
Operating Temperature
The nature of the chlorine can change at different temperatures. Valves that are rated for dry chlorine, for example, may become unsuitable if the temperature of the chlorine gets too high. Temperature levels may also fluctuate – both inside and outside the system. Make sure you know what sort of temperatures you will be dealing with, and choose a valve accordingly.
The Presence of Additional Compounds
In some cases, additional compounds like ferric chloride or sodium sulfate may be found within the system. These compounds can build up over time, leading to blockages and potential malfunctions. To prevent this, the valve will need to be inspected regularly, and the mechanism should be simple for trained personnel to check and assess.
Pressure Changes and Erosion
As the chlorine travels through the system, it can cause erosion if there are significant pressure changes. If the pressure is sufficiently increased – at a point of constriction, for example – the effects of erosion can be more pronounced. This makes the diameter of the valve an important consideration when you choose your component. Where possible, there should be no constrictions and changes in pressure, except for when the flow of the chlorine is regulated or stopped by operating the valve.
Price
Finally, if you are buying a large number of chlorine valves, check on any discounts offered or coupons available to help you cut down your total purchasing cost.
By following these buying tips, you will be able to find top quality valves that meet your unique needs and applications. Learn more about how to select the best supplier for your chlorine valves.
Find Sherwood Chlorine Valves in Our Range
At Chemtech, we are here to help with your buying decision. We have over 20 years of experience in the distribution of top-performing chlorine valves in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. We are an exclusive and authorized supplier of Sherwood Valves, the world’s leading provider of chlorine valves known for their top performance, safety, and best possible price.
When you think about how to choose the right chlorine valve for your system, a well-made, high-quality Sherwood Valve is the ideal choice. Browse our product pages and find the right valve for you, or reach out to our team to discover more.