With side-mounted access holes, can online maintenance really be achieved?
Thread Content
I would like to ask the experts here: there are many manufacturers of valves of this type – can they really enable online maintenance? It is usually used in the LNG industry. ? A flange connection port – there’s no need to have a maintenance access port next to it, right? ? How is maintenance carried out for those with a diameter < DN1000? ? For those with a diameter greater than DN1500, people can enter through the maintenance access point for inspections, but this is only limited to foundation maintenance!
This valve is welded, not a flanged valve. With this maintenance manhole, it is possible to enter and replace the valve seat seals, for reference.
There are flanged connections with access holes available on the market, but if the diameter is small, how can a person get in to carry out repairs? Should it be understood that the diameter must be greater than a certain value in order to use this structure?
I have worked on this valve; it’s a butterfly valve designed specifically for LNG – a butterfly valve that can be repaired online! The gate valve-style one here can be opened to replace the butterfly valve seat. It’s that simple a principle! People with very large circumferences can go in!
Butt-welded on both sides, with access holes. It can be repaired online, with parts such as seals being replaced. The flange is supposed to not have an access hole; the screws can be removed directly.
In the LNG industry, the diameters are mostly in the range of DN200 to DN600. If the diameter is too small, it’s not possible for people to enter the manholes; how can online maintenance then be carried out?