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Cavity Vent in Gate Valves

Cavity vents in gate valves allow liquid trapped between valve parts to drain out, preventing pressure buildup from liquid expansion during temperature increases. Two cases where cavity vent valves were specified were analyzed. For an isolation valve on a liquid line and drain/vent valves on a heat exchanger, normal valves without cavity vents could also be used safely since temperature increases leading to pressure issues were deemed unlikely. Cavity vents are not strictly necessary in these locations given continuous flow and heat transfer would regulate temperatures.

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Syed Ahsan
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3K views10 pages

Cavity Vent in Gate Valves

Cavity vents in gate valves allow liquid trapped between valve parts to drain out, preventing pressure buildup from liquid expansion during temperature increases. Two cases where cavity vent valves were specified were analyzed. For an isolation valve on a liquid line and drain/vent valves on a heat exchanger, normal valves without cavity vents could also be used safely since temperature increases leading to pressure issues were deemed unlikely. Cavity vents are not strictly necessary in these locations given continuous flow and heat transfer would regulate temperatures.

Uploaded by

Syed Ahsan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cavity Vent in Gate

Valves
For Low Temperature Applications

Prepared By: Syed Ahsan


Purpose

This presentation is intended to:


1) Elaborately explain the purpose of Cavity Vent in Gate
valves
2) To Provide Justification for suitability of normal valves
(without cavity vent) at specific locations.
Why Cavity Vent?
The Problem
When a gate valve is closed in a liquid filled
system, some liquid is trapped in the body/bonnet
cavity above the disc/seat ring seals. Generally this is
of little consequence.
However, when the media (fluid) in the line is
sensitive to temperature, the liquid entrapped in this
cavity expands (and may even turn to vapors) due to
rise in temperature. This expansion (and conversion of
liquid to vapor) builds-up pressure in the body/bonnet
cavity (See Figure).
Examples of such media are Low Temp and
Cryogenic Service.
This pressure may cause the valve parts to distort.
The result is excessive leakage or inability to operate
the valve. Under extreme conditions, valves may
rupture.
Why Cavity Vent?
The Solution

The upstream disc of the gate valve can


be provided with a small drain hole to allow
the liquid between the wedges to flow from
the cavity.
Upon temperature increase the liquid
may expand and can flow from this hole
without exerting pressure on valve parts.
This prevents any excessive pressure build-
up.
The valve is now uni-directional as
indicated by the flow arrow and should be
installed accordingly (refer Figure).
Few Locations Where Cavity Vent
Valves are Specified in AERP
Project
Case 1

The above snap is from PKG# 5. The flow is coming from HP Deethanizer Bottom
(T-0360) and going to Deethanizer Bottoms Blow Down Header (R340-E-0361A/B). P&ID
The two isolation valve in above arrangement are specified with cavity vent. The
P&ID symbol also specifies that the cavity vent is to be installed on the high
pressure side.
Salient feature of this arrangement on P&ID are:
• The flow from HP Deethanizer Bottom (T-0360) will always be in liquid form.
• The isolation valves will normally be opened. Thus cavity vent feature will not be utilized
normally.
• The isolation valves will only be closed at the time of repair/replacement of HV. In this
case flow will continue through globe valve.
• The cavity vent hole is specified in these isolation valves to consider the conversion of
liquid into vapors, of the trapped fluid after the valve closure.
In the event of using Normal Valves (without cavity Vent):
Let’s consider that valves are closed for HV repair/replacement and some fluid is trapped in
the cavity.
Since the fluid is continuously flowing through globe valve, the temperature of these isolation
valves will not be increased. The continuously flowing flow will carry the heat and maintain
the temperature of these valves same as line.
There is no possibility of increasing the temperature of these isolation valves and the fluid
trapped in the cavity of these valves. Thus there are no, not even remote, chances of
expansion (and conversion of liquid to vapors) of this trapped fluid and build up of cavity
pressure.
Based on above it can be concluded that at this specific location valves without cavity vent
can also be used safely.
Case 2

The above snap is from PKG# 5 Deethanizer Bottom Coolers R340-E-0361A/B. P&ID

The drain (D1 & D2) and vent (V1 & V2) valves are specified with cavity vent
feature.
Salient feature of this arrangement on P&ID are:
• The flow in the heat exchanger will be dual phase i.e. mixture of liquid and vapors.
• All the drain and vent valves will normally be closed.
In the event of using Normal Valves (without cavity Vent):
1. For Vent Valves (V1 & V2):
Let’s consider that the vent valve is opened to vent the gases and closed again after venting
the gases. In this case the vapors will get entrapped in the cavity. Thus there is no possibility of
conversion of liquid into vapors and build up of cavity pressure. Based on this it can be
concluded that even normal valves without the cavity vent are also suitable vent valves.
2. For Drain Valves (D1 & D2):
Let’s consider that the drain valve is opened to drain/flush the liquid and closed after draining.
Some of the fluid may get trapped in the valve cavity. However the heat exchanger will always
have fluid flow flowing. This continuous flow through heat exchanger will not let the
temperature of the isolation valves to increase. The continuously flowing flow will carry the
heat and maintain the temperature of these valves same as heat exchanger.
There is no possibility of increasing the temperature of these drain valves and the fluid trapped
in the cavity of these valves. Thus there are no chances of expansion (and conversion of liquid
to vapors) of this trapped fluid and build up of cavity pressure.
Based on above it can be concluded that valves without cavity vent can also be used for drain
valves.
Conclusion:
Based on the study of case 1 and case 2, it can be concluded that normal valves
without cavity vent can also be used at following locations:
1) Isolation of HV 3611 (case 1)
2) Drain & Vent of Deethanizer Botom Cooler

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