BALL VALVES

SIDE ENTRY

TOP ENTRY
 Quality System

BALL VALVES AST S.p.A. applies efficient and useful policies aimed at ensuring the quality
of the products. The high quality level system implemented within the
Company ensures all products are manufactured to the highest standards
available using the latest technology.

The AST S.p.A. Quality Assurance System encompasses all activities from
quotation to final inspection and on-site service. The Quality System has been
qualified and certified since 1993 to EN ISO 9001:2000, and operates in
accordance with API Q1.

More recently AST S.p.A. has been recognized as a manufacturer of products

in compliance with the European Directive 97/23/EC (PED) and 94/9/EC
(ATEX).

Full traceability of all components is achieved by means of a specifically

developed bar code system that allows to trace and follow all components in
real time, throughout all production stages.

AST S.p.A. products are manufactured and supplied in accordance with API
6A and API 6D.

2
 Company Profile

Founded in 1951, AST S.p.A. is one of the first Italian manufacturers of spring

BALL VALVES
loaded safety-relief valves and change-over valves that enable the alternative
interception of the two safety relief valves assembled on and/or the
replacement of one of the safety valves without interrupting plant activity.

In the following years AST S.p.A. started to manufacture special control valves
able to meet the most demanding customer requirements. These valves,
specifically designed for critical applications like melamine and urea plants,
are typically manufactured from integral forgings made by nickel alloys.
Recently, AST S.p.A., through a newly created sister company, has started
working in the field of Process Automation and Safety Systems becoming a
leading supplier for DCS and BMS for the Power and Process Industry.

Over the years, AST S.p.A. has experienced a continuous and steady growth
of sales and having implemented a technological development of the
production capacity, has improved its overall reliability and efficiency.
Nowadays AST S.p.A. is perceived by the market as a reliable solution provider
for the most demanding service conditions.

In consideration of the above, AST S.p.A. has further expanded its product
portfolio by including ball and gate valves. The enhancement of the product
lines has been made possible by combining more than half a century of valve
manufacturing successful history with the experience of a group of high
qualified engineers who have worked for more than two decades in the field
of ball and gate valves development.

Products
• Spring loaded safety-relief valves
• Pneumatic control valves
• Change-over valves (for couple of safety valves)
• Vacuum release valves
• Ball and gate valves
• Safety relief-valves test benches
• Distributed Control System (DCS)
• Burner Management System (BMS)
• Fire and gas detection and fire-fighting systems
• Remote measure and control systems

3
 Side Entry

BALL VALVES The side entry bolted body version is one of the most trusted valve design in
the oil and gas industry.

It combines the strength of forged components and field serviceability with

cost efficiency and quick delivery.

The AST side entry ball valve body is made of three forged parts; the ball is
mounted on trunnions or on bearing retainers designed to take the line
pressure load.

The design allows the removal of the valve from the line and the subsequent
disassembly at site for maintenance. The tightening of the bolts is achieved
by hydraulic tools that allow to precisely control the applied torque.

For applications where the risk of external leakages has to be minimised, one
of the two closures to body connection can be replaced by a circumferential
weld. In this case the valve retains the possibility of being maintained in the
field while the external leak paths are reduced by half. This solution is
preferable to the fully welded design since the weld, accessible from both
sides, can be fully inspected by NDE.

Valve body ends can be of flanged, welded or clamp types as requested by

the customer.

Vent and drain connections are provided on valve body as requested by the
applicable International Standards and/or customer specifications.

Range of Production
Size: from 2” to 24”, full and reduced bore. Larger sizes available upon
request.
ANSI Rating Class: 150 to 2,500
API Pressure Rating: 2,000 to 15,000 psi
Interpolated rating also available.
End connections: Flanged, Butt Weld or Clamp. Other special connections
available upon request.

4
 Side Entry

BALL VALVES
Three-piece bolted construction
Ball mounted on trunnions

Three-piece bolted construction

Ball mounted on bearing retainers

5
 Side Entry

BALL VALVES 27
19

18

17
13

16

14

13

15
20
10

11
2
5
4 22

8 12
3
9
7

6 22
20
23
21
24
25
26

Trunnion Design
1. Body 10. Stem 19. Capscrew
2. Closure 11. Key 20. Thrust Washer
3. Gasket 12. Drive Pin 21. Trunnion
4. Body Stud 13. Gasket 22. Bearing
5. Body Nut 14. Body Cover 23. Gasket
6. Ball 15. Gasket 24. Trunnion Cover
7. Seat Ring 16. Capscrew 25. Gasket
8. Seat Spring 17. Bushing 26. Capscrew
9. Gasket 18. Adapter Flange 27. Dowel Pin

The valve is designed for use with various material combinations

dependent upon customer service conditions.

6
 Side Entry

BALL VALVES
19 23

18

17
13

16
14
9
15

13
10
20

11
2
5
4 12

8 21
3
7 22

6
20
22
21

Bearing Retainer Design

1. Body 10. Stem 19. Capscrew
2. Closure 11. Key 20. Thrust Washer
3. Gasket 12. Drive Pin 21. Bearing Retainer
4. Body Stud 13. Gasket 22. Bearing
5. Body Nut 14. Body Cover 23. Dowel Pin
6. Ball 15. Gasket
7. Seat Ring 16. Capscrew
8. Seat Spring 17. Bushing
9. Gasket 18. Adapter Flange

The valve is designed for use with various material combinations

dependent upon customer service conditions.

7
 Top Entry

BALL VALVES The AST top entry ball valve is constructed to allow field service and
maintenance whenever required.

The body of the AST top entry ball valve is made of cast and/or forged
materials and engineered for heavy duty, maintenance-free performance.
The forged design is typically used for small size, high pressure valves and
critical applications where the integrity of the pressure envelope is of
paramount importance.

The valve body is designed and manufactured in accordance with

International Standards. Finite Element tools are used to design and verify the
components and the valve assembly.

The valve body end connections can be of flanged, welded or clamp types.
Considering the in line maintainability of the top entry design it is
recommended the use of welded ends to reduce potential leak paths and
save valve weight in applications where the weight of the equipment
significantly impacts on the installation.

Vent and drain connections are provided on valve body as requested by the
applicable International Standards and/or customer specifications.

Range of Production
Size: from 6” to 24”, full and reduced bore.
Smaller and larger sizes available upon request.

ANSI Rating Class: 600 to 2,500

Class 150 and 300 available upon request with API 6D class 600 end to end
dimension

API Pressure Rating: 2,000 to 15,000 psi

Interpolated rating also available.

End connections: Flanged, Butt Weld or Clamp. Other special connections

available upon request.

8
 Top Entry

BALL VALVES
Top entry design
Forged body

The removal of the bonnet from the valve allows for free access to the body
cavity. A set of maintenance tools is used to remove and re-assemble the ball
and the seats. Limited space is required around the valve for maintenance,
so that the AST top entry valve can be installed in all areas where space is
critical, such as platform decks.

The AST top entry valve can be mounted on vertical pipes with horizontal
stem when required by the piping layout such as platform risers. In-situ
maintenance is preserved by means of specifically designed maintenance
tools.

The integrity of the seat seals can be checked, after valve reassembly, by
pressurising the body cavity. If the valve is equipped with bi-directional seats,
the test can be done up to the valve design pressure.

9
 Top Entry

BALL VALVES 24
21
20

19
18
17

16
15

14
5
22
2

13
4

3
1
23

9
8

6 10

23
12
22
11

Trunnion Design
1. Body 10. Back Seat Ring 19. Gasket
2. Bonnet 11. Spring Holder Ring 20. Adapter Flange
3. Gasket 12. Spacer 21. Capscrew
4. Body Stud 13. Stem 22. Thrust Washer
5. Body Nut 14. Key 23. Bearing
6. Ball 15. Gasket 24. Dowel Pin
7. Seat Ring 16. Lantern Ring
8. Seat Spring 17. Bonnet Cover
9. Gasket 18. Bushing

The valve is designed for use with various material combinations

dependent upon customer service conditions.

10
 Design Features

Static Seals

BALL VALVES
Sealing to the environment is achieved by means of elastomeric O-rings fitted
as face seal between the two components. AST adopts, on its standard
design, this type of seal configuration which is deemed to be more reliable
as the initial gasket compression is not
influenced by parts deflection due to the
applied loads.

The selection of the elastomer is based

on valve service condition.
Materials resistant to explosive
decompression (E.D.) are always used
for valves in hydrocarbon gas service at
pressure class 600 or above.
Special attention is also paid to the
design of the gasket grooves to minimise
the risk of E.D.

In case of corrosive service conditions or design temperatures exceeding the

elastomer limits, spring-energized seals are used. Also in this case the gaskets
are preferably installed as face seals to guarantee the most reliable
performance.

The materials of the seal jacket and of the spring are selected considering the
valve service condition.

Special gaskets can be engineered, and verified by means of Finite Element

analysis, to meet the more demanding
service conditions including high
pressure, high temperature and bi-
directional sealing.

Additional seals can be provided, upon

request, by means of graphite rings
installed as secondary gaskets
downstream of the main seals.

11
 Design Features

BALL VALVES Stem Construction

The stem is of anti-blow-out design, separate from the ball and connected to
the upper trunnion by means of pins or by a tang-type connection.

The connection between the stem and the actuator is achieved by means of
a key or through a spline.

The stem, together with all the components of the drive train, is sized
considering, as a minimum, two times the maximum required valve torque.
An additional verification is done considering the maximum torque provided
by the selected actuator.

The stem sealing is provided by two gaskets: their selection is based on

service conditions likewise all the other seals.

A grease injection port can be

provided between the two
gaskets allowing the injection of
sealant to achieve a temporary
sealing.

The stem design allows to replace

the upper gasket with the valve in
the line, under pressure with the
ball in the closed position. With
no pressure in line, it is possible to
remove the body cover and
replace all gaskets.

12
 Design Features

Seat Seals

BALL VALVES
Side entry and top entry ball valves can be supplied with both seats uni-
directional, both seats bi-directional or a combination of the two.
The uni-directional seat design, commonly known as “Self Relieving” or
“Single Piston Effect”, guarantees the sealing against the pressure coming
from the upstream side of the valve.

Uni-directional seat
Upstream sealing

As the line pressure increases, the

pressure acting on the annular
area C = A – B (where A and B
are the areas corresponding to
diameters A and B respectively)
creates a piston effect (PE) which
forces the seat against the ball:
the higher the line pressure, the greater the piston force.

The piston action reverses automatically if pressure in the body cavity grows
above a certain level, relieving the excess of pressure into the line.

Uni-directional seat
Self relieving condition

The seat is designed in such a way

that the pressure acting on the
annular area F = D – E (where D
and E are the areas corresponding
to diameters D and E respectively)
results in a force greater than the
spring load.
In conclusion, this design
prevents pressure build-up in the body cavity in case of fluid expansion, by
releasing the pressure into the line.

13
 Design Features

BALL VALVES The bi-directional seat design, known as “Double Piston Effect” design,
provides sealing in both flow directions.

Bi-directional seat
Upstream sealing

Like for the uni-directional

seat design (Self Relieving
seat), as soon as the line
pressure increases, the
pressure acting on the
annular area C = A – B
(where A and B are the
areas corresponding to diameters A and B respectively) creates a piston effect
(PE) which forces the seat against the ball: the higher the line pressure, the
greater the piston force.

In case of leakage of the upstream seat, the pressure increases in the body
cavity energizing the downstream seat which is designed in such a way that
the pressure acting on the area F = D – E (where D and E are the areas
corresponding to diameters D and E respectively) creates a piston force
(double piston effect DPE) forcing the downstream seat to seal against the ball.

Bi-directional seat
Downstream sealing

In conclusion, if one seat is

damaged, the pressure in
the body cavity will
activate the downstream
seat to seal. For liquid
applications, a possible
pressure increase in the
body cavity needs to be relieved by means of a pressure relieve valve.

14
 Design Features

A combination of the two solutions, commonly known as “Dual Seat” design,

BALL VALVES
can be supplied upon request. The rational behind this design is the need to
protect the most critical area of the installation with a double barrier, retaining
the possibility to relieve excessive pressure inside the pipeline with no need
for external relieving system.
A typical application for the dual seat design is shown in the figure below.

The ball valves, installed on the export line, are equipped with a uni-
directional seat and a bi-directional seat accommodated on the pipeline and
the platform side respectively.

This seat configuration provides a single barrier against normal flow

condition and a double barrier against reverse flow coming from the
downstream pipeline.

15
 Design Features

BALL VALVES Under emergency condition a double barrier will isolate the platform from
the gas inventory stored in the pipeline.

The body cavity pressure increase, due to thermal expansion of the process
media, will therefore be released through the seat located on the pipeline
side (downstream) of the valve.

Seating Surface Design

The valve sealing is provided through a metal seat ring which is sealing
against the ball by means of a resilient insert and against the body by a seat
gasket.
The seat ring is forced against the ball by springs; the load generated by
them keeps the seat in contact with the ball and initiates the sealing at low
pressure when the piston force is not yet effective.
The seat gasket, located in the back shoulder of the seat ring provides sealing
against line pressure.
Different seat gasket design arrangements are available providing the uni-
directional or the bi-directional seat configurations as explained in the
relevant section. The seat gasket material selection is based on valve service
conditions just like for all the other seals.
The spherical surface of the ball is machined and ground to close tolerances.
To minimize wear, the ball is than electroless nickel plated and polished to
mirror-like finish.
For special applications the contact area between the seat and the ball can
be completely metallic. This solution is recommended when the normal soft
sealing is not suitable due to the severity of the service condition and to the
presence of solid particles that may damage the seat insert.

16
 Design Features

In case of metal to metal design, the ball and the seat contact surfaces are

BALL VALVES
hard faced with tungsten carbide coating or chromium carbide coating to
improve resistance to wear and prevent scratching caused by the solid
particles contained in the process media.
When utilizing the metal to metal design option, the valve operating torque,
the drive train design and the actuator sizing must be reviewed since a
higher valve torque is foreseen.

Stem/Ball Position

The valve are normally supplied with gears or actuators with their mechanical
stops set at the factory as primary stops to guarantee perfect alignment of the
ball bore with respect to the pipeline avoiding any problem during pigging
operations.
For lever operated valves, the valve is in the fully open position when the
lever is in line with the valve.
Open and closed indication is provided on valve or gear/actuator.

Antistatic Device
The electrical continuity between the ball and the valve body and between
the stem and the valve body is guaranteed by an antistatic device.

17
 Material Specification

BALL VALVES Material Selection

The material selection for the valve components is based on the specified
service condition. The sizing of the pressure envelope, as well as the sizing
of the drive train, is based on the mechanical properties of the selected
materials.
Specific guidelines are followed to define the elastomer properties and the
groove geometry in case of O-Rings exposed to the risk of Explosive
Decompression.
An ongoing research programme with local Universities and coating
suppliers allows to offer the most advanced types of metallic coatings for
metal seated valves. Future developments in this field include the use of
nanomaterials to improve coating quality and surface finishing with possible
reduction of the friction factor resulting in a lower torque required to operate
the valve.

Weld Overlays
Sealing areas and other critical parts of the valve can be cladded in case of
corrosive service. This prevents corrosion in the sealing areas and keeps
unchanged the finishing of the surface in contact with the gasket thus
retaining the original sealing functionality.
More frequently used materials for the overlay process are Stainless Steel and
High Nickel Alloys, thanks to their unquestioned corrosion resistance
properties.
The welding process is qualified according to International Standards so that
the final thickness after machining can guarantee the chemical composition
as per the relevant ASTM standards or per customer specifications.
The final check of the overlay is carried out by Dye Penetrant Inspection to
verify surface integrity and Ultrasonic Examination to confirm overlay
integrity and proper adhesion between the two materials.

18
 Optional Features

Stem Grease Injection

BALL VALVES
Upon request, an emergency
stem sealant injection point can
be provided between the second
and the third gasket to
temporarily seal the stem until the
primary seal is restored.
The grease fitting incorporates a
check valve designed to prevent
leakage to the environment, still
allowing grease injection.
Note: sealant is not required in
normal operation.

Seat Grease Injection

Upon request, valve seats can be
equipped with a sealant injection
system to provide emergency
sealing between seat and ball.
The injection system comprises
the grease fitting with the relevant
sealing cover and the integral
check valve.
An additional check valve is fitted
in the main valve body thickness
in order to provide a second
barrier to fluid leakage.
The system is designed to allow
sealant grease injection into the valve in service; the sealant is distributed on
the seating surface between seat and ball.
Note: sealant is not required in normal operation.
The seat grease injection system is recommended for soft seated valves while
is redundant in case of metal seated valves where the risk of damaging the
seating surface is less likely thanks to the hardness of the surfaces.

19
 Optional Features

BALL VALVES Monitoring Leak Ports

Upon customer request, ports can be provided to monitor the performance
of critical gaskets like stem and body to bonnet sealing.

Transition Pieces
Should transition pieces be required, AST is fully capable to machine and
weld on transition pieces during the manufacturing of the valve.
The transition pieces may be supplied by AST or free issued by the customer.
The transition pipe, when supplied by AST, will be fully compatible with the
line pipe and will be welded using a process fully qualified in accordance to
International Standards.

Stem Extension
Stem extension can be provided making the valve suitable for inaccessible
areas or buried service.
The piping of the grease injection system and of the vent and drain
connections are extended to the top of the extension to ease their access.

Installation on a Vertical Line

The top entry valve can be supplied for installation on vertical pipelines. This
type of piping configuration is frequently used in case of platform risers.
The in-situ maintenance is possible thanks to special maintenance tools that
are designed and supplied with the valve. The special maintenance
equipment permits to remove and reinstall ball and seats while being
supported during such operations.
The clearance needed for valve maintenance is fully encompassed within the
overall dimension of valve and actuator.
AST engineering department is available to collaborate with customer since
the early stage of the Project to define the lifting equipment to be provided
on the installation to handle with heavy valve parts.

20
 Optional Features

Internal Sleeve

BALL VALVES
Under severe commissioning conditions, AST can supply top entry valves with
low cost temporary sleeves.
The temporary sleeves are designed to protect body sealing surfaces and
create a full port through the valves to ease the pigging operation.
After final acceptance tests, valve internals are removed from the valve,
preserved, packed and shipped to site, while the temporary sleeve is installed
into the valve body.
The valve body/bonnet unit is then pressure tested again to verify seal
integrity before being shipped to site.
Valve internals are installed back into the valve body after the system has
been fully commissioned.
In case the valve is equipped with bi-directional seats, the integrity of the seat
seals can be tested by pressurising the body cavity.

21
 Special Applications

BALL VALVES Over the years, AST has enjoyed the recognition of designing and
manufacturing special relief valves and special control valves for severe
service. This has been possible thanks to the continuous investment in R&D
and in the human resources of the engineering department.
The addition of new product lines to the AST product portfolio is achieved in
conjunction with the recruitment of highly motivated and experienced
people that will constitute the new products team.
For the new products, AST is committed to become the preferred supplier for
special, critical, heavy duty valves, partnering with the customers to identify
the most reliable and cost effective solution for their service conditions.
For any application not addressed here, the AST engineering department is
available to assist customers and to propose the most appropriate technical
solution

Subsea
For both side entry and top entry ball valves, a subsea version specifically
designed to suit subsea service conditions is available.
The design applies more restrictive criteria for the definition of the safety
coefficients relative to both pressure retaining components and drive train,
making the valve suitable for SSI and ESD services.
The valve internal sealing surfaces are protected from corrosion by welding
overlays. The ball/seat sealing surfaces are hard faced to reduce wear and
preventing operating torque increase due to sticking experienced by soft
seated valves when not operated for long time periods.
The valve body can be coated with special coatings. All external bolting are
protected with ad-hoc protective coatings as well as special sealing caps.
The stem and all external sealing areas are protected with additional
seawater sealing gaskets.
A stem protective cap is provided to prevent ingress of seawater and allows
for deployment of either gear or actuator when required. Special guide posts
can be provided to ease gear/actuator removal or installation even when the
valve is installed in tilted position.

22
 Special Applications

Low Temperature

BALL VALVES
The low temperature design is available for both side entry and top entry
valves. This design is suitable for temperatures down to –140 °C in all class
ratings.
The valves are supplied with an extended bonnet thus allowing the
installation of the thermal insulation and to move the stem seal away from
the low temperature area, thus enhancing the stem seals performance.
The valves are fitted with special spring-energised gaskets specifically
designed to seal at low temperature.
The sealing between seat and ball can be provided by special insert materials
suitable for low temperature service or can be of hard faced metal to metal
type.
The material selection for the metallic parts is based on valve service
condition with specific regard to corrosion resistance and temperature
requirements.

Low temperature torque increase (typical)

Whereas valve torque increases at low temperature, as a function of

differential pressure and operating temperature, to specify maximum
differential pressure at lower temperature at which the valve will be operated
avoids to over-size valve and actuator.

23
 Special Applications

BALL VALVES High Temperature

The high temperature version of the side entry and top entry ball valves is
designed for operating temperatures up to 400 °C in all pressure classes.
The valves are suitable for heavy cycling under alternating conditions of
temperatures and pressures.
At difference with other valve types usually chosen for high temperature
service, i.e. the rising stem valves, the AST high temperature ball valve is fully
bi-directional at maximum differential pressure.
The drive train is designed taking in consideration the high torque values
resulting from the demanding service conditions.
The valve is fitted with gaskets specifically designed to withstand high
temperature, whereas metallic contact is adopted for the seat to ball sealing.
Both sealing surfaces are hard faced by means of a special ENP process and
then heat treated at high temperature, or by chromium carbide applied by
HVOF process.

Bellow Seal

The ball to body sealing is achieved through a bellow-type seat which

provides the metal sealing against the back face of the seat, and through a
soft ring between bellow seat and valve body.
The bellow seat is designed to develop a piston effect forcing the seat against
the ball: the higher the line pressure, the greater the piston force. The piston
action reverses if pressure increases in the body cavity to a preset level,
relieving the excess of pressure into the line and protecting the bellow seal
from external pressure load.

24
 Special Applications

BALL VALVES
Double Block and Bleed
AST designs, manufactures and supplies Double Block and Bleed valve
units.
One compact forged body contains the two block valves and the bleeding
system achieved by ball, gate or needle valves as per customer specifications.
This design arrangement allows to reduce clearance and weight, meanwhile
the number of external leak path are reduced with subsequent
enhancement of the system reliability.

Retractable Seats
Pipeline pigging is recognised as one of the most critical operation as far as
valves integrity. The debris collected by the pig during its travel can be
trapped in the recesses between ball and seats damaging the sealing
surfaces when the valves are later on operated.
To prevent this risk, AST can supply ball valves with retractable seats. The
seats are detached from the ball prior to start rotating the ball, thus avoiding
debris retention between ball and seats.
The seats retraction is automatically achieved through the actuator control
system with no need for the valve operator to make additional operations.
The actuator is still sized for the max valve torque without taking into
consideration the benefits deriving from the absence of friction between ball
and seats.
In the unlikely event of a failure of the hydraulic seat retraction system, the
valve continues to be operable as a standard ball valve.

25
 Special Applications

BALL VALVES High Integrity Pressure

Protection System (HIPPS)
The High Integrity Pressure Protection System is designed to protect a
downstream trunk line from overpressure. The system closes the flow line shut
down valve in case high pressure detected at a pressure detection points.
After shut down, once the correct pressure has been restored, the system is
reset and normal operation can be restarted.
The HIPPS closed loop system mainly consists in the on/off valves, the pressure
transmitters, the instrument manifolds and the PES (Programmable Electronic
System) as Logic Solver.
HIPPS, as will as all the equipment inside the loop, meets requirements up
to SIL3 (Safety Integrity Level 3) according to IEC 61508 and AK6 according
to DIN V 19250 .
To ensure the maximum
safety, fault tolerance
and availability, the
Logic Solver has a
redundant 2oo4D/QMR
architecture (2 out of 4
processors, quad
modular redundant) .
Operation can continue
without any time limit
even in case of the first
error in the system,
because PES meets SIL3
also if only one
processor is running .
AST has the in houseware resources and skill to design, to manufacture and
to supply the HIPPS thanks to their knowledge in both valve and
instrumentation fields. This is made possible by joining the resources
available at the AST engineering department and the long term experience
of the sister company in the field of process automation and safety systems,
emergency shut-down systems above all.
This organization and collaboration allows AST, with a unique
comprehensive experience encompassing valve and fail safe systems design,
to be a supplier of HIPPS, as integrated solution .

26
 Engineering and Testing

Engineering

BALL VALVES
AST engineering department operates with the most advanced computer aided
systems.

Prediction by Finite Element

analysis of stress levels and
deflection is part of our standard
procedures. This may include non-
linear analyses of large valve
bodies, with the simulation of the
behaviour of all seals in all
operating conditions.

Top entry body stress distribution

Non-linear FEA of ball to seat contact

Qualification Tests
All valves are pressure tested in accordance to relevant standards and
specifications. Particular care is given to the validation of valve production; new
products undergo extensive performance and qualification tests. The
qualification test is meant to ensure that the design safety factors, the maximum
allowable leakages and the expected valve service life are achieved.
Since the conventional hydrostatic testing of valves for gas service is no longer
regarded as a sufficient mean to demonstrate the valve sealing integrity, AST is
equipped to carry out enhanced gas testing at ambient, low and high
temperature.
Stress verification can be carried out by strain gauges to verify the stress
distribution predicted by numerical analysis.
In collaboration with the sister company AST S.r.l., extensive functional tests are
carried out, to possibly verify the performance of the complete HIPPS.

27
 A.S.T. - APPARECCHI DI SICUREZZA E DI TENUTA S.p.A.

Via R. Merendi, 20
20010 CORNAREDO (Milano) ITALY
Tel.: ++ 39 02 93 48 48 1
Fax: ++ 39 02 93 62 248
www.astspa.it
Catalogue N. BV-01-06 [email protected]