Under what circumstances are valves installed?
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I am new to this field and am currently working on pipe layout drawings. I’m unsure about the circumstances under which valves should be installed – are they generally installed at the initial inlet of the equipment? Dear seniors, please come here more often to share your work experience
It seems I need to provide you with some basic knowledge about valves: 1. Definition of a valve: A valve is a device used in fluid systems to control the direction, pressure, and flow rate of fluids. A valve is a device that allows or stops the flow of media (liquids, gases, powders) within pipes and equipment, and can also control its flow rate. 2. Depending on the function of opening and closing valves, there are many ways to classify them; here, several of these methods are introduced. (1) Isolation valve: An isolation valve, also known as a shut-off valve, serves to connect or disconnect the medium in the pipeline. Cut-off valves include gate valves, globe valves, plug valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, and diaphragms. (2) Check valve: A check valve, also known as a one-way valve or non-return valve, serves to prevent the medium in the pipeline from flowing backward. The bottom valve at the water pump’s suction side also belongs to the category of check valves. (3) Safety valve: The function of safety valves is to prevent the pressure of the medium in pipelines or devices from exceeding specified values, thereby achieving safety protection. (4) Control valves: Control valves include regulating valves, throttle valves, and pressure reducing valves; their function is to regulate parameters such as the pressure and flow rate of the medium. (5) Diversion valves: Diversion valves include various distribution valves and steam traps, etc., whose function is to distribute, separate, or mix the fluid in the pipeline.
Valves must be installed at the inlet and outlet ports of the pipes for moving equipment. Static equipment such as storage tanks and containers are equipped with drain valves at the bottom, pump inlet pipes need strainer valves, and steam pipes require steam traps. In short, the installation of valves is determined by the process requirements; valves should not be installed where it’s not necessary, as this creates additional leakage points.
Should the pump’s inlet pipe be equipped with a drain valve? I’m not quite sure what that means. Also, I would like to ask: is it usual to install a valve at the inlet of a pump? If so, what type of valve should be used?
Search online: The standards of Sinopec Lanzhou Design Institute regarding valve installation contain fairly detailed explanations
Reply to 4# smile2010: The inlet pipe together with the drain valve is mainly used for \"draining waste\"; for example, when there is a problem with the pump and it needs to be disassembled for inspection, any remaining material in the pipes and pump chamber must be removed using the drain valve； A valve must definitely be installed at the pump inlet; the specific type of valve depends on the material.
It seems the original poster needs to first learn the basic knowledge about valves; looking up information and studying relevant specifications and standards should be helpful