In the refining and chemical industry, valves are essential components for controlling and regulating process flows, making their proper selection crucial for efficient operations. With increasing production demands and technological advancements, procurement teams must carefully assess various valve types, materials, and connections to ensure compatibility and reliability. By collaborating with technical staff and adhering to strict quality control measures, teams can optimize valve selection, avoid safety issues, and ensure long-term operational success. This article explores the key considerations for valve procurement, including material selection, end connections, and other critical factors.
The refining and chemical industry relies heavily on valves, which are essential for controlling and regulating process flows. Procurement teams must thoroughly understand each valve's function and purpose to assess suitability and ensure optimal selection. Before purchasing, they should collaborate with technical staff and design engineers to align valve specifications with process requirements. The diverse range of valves on the market necessitates careful evaluation to ensure site compatibility, seamless integration with components, and reliable system operation.
Advancements in technology and industry growth have created opportunities for refining and chemical enterprises. As production scales increase and demand for fine chemicals grows, valve manufacturers are adopting advanced processes and equipment to meet evolving needs. Effective valve utilization requires a strong procurement process, robust quality control measures, proper valve selection, and comprehensive factory acceptance testing. Improper valve selection remains a leading cause of production and safety issues. Therefore, procurement teams must prioritize rigorous quality control and ensure valves meet the operational demands of refining and chemical processes.
Determine the End Connection of the Valve
Selecting the correct end connection is critical in valve procurement for the refining and chemical industries. Valve connections are typically classified as threaded, flanged, or welded, with threaded and flanged being the most common. Threaded connections are ideal for valves with a nominal diameter of DN ≤ 50 mm, as they ensure ease of installation. For valves with larger diameters, sealing and installation become more complex. Flanged connections are widely used for their ease of installation and removal, offering flexibility with minimal technical complexity. However, while welded connections are durable when applied under controlled conditions, they require advanced technical skills for disassembly and reinstallation, which can limit their widespread use. When selecting a valve, procurement teams must evaluate these connection types in collaboration with installers, considering the technical requirements and installation challenges to ensure precise selection and maintain high-quality standards.
Valve Material Selection
Selecting the correct valve material is a critical step in procurement. Valves are typically made from forged or cast steel, with common materials including carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel. To meet production requirements, professionals must assess the valve's type, function, and application, while analyzing the characteristics of the process media, including its physical and chemical properties and cleanliness. Addressing these factors during procurement ensures optimal valve performance and supports safe, efficient refining operations. Purchasing teams should prepare a detailed material list and define work order requirements to guide material selection based on specific applications. Material selection must align with operating conditions, procurement standards, and relevant specifications, with consultation from end users as necessary.
Other Aspects
The steady growth of the refining industry has elevated standards for valve procurement, with the selection of appropriate valves at each stage directly impacting both safety and cost-efficiency in chemical production. In addition to previously discussed factors, the following considerations are essential for effective valve selection:
- Valve size: For efficient and safe production, valves must match the type and size of the process pipeline. Procurement teams should evaluate the valve’s function, ensure compatibility with operational requirements, and verify compliance with specifications.
- Working pressure and temperature: Each valve is designed for specific conditions. Procurement teams must evaluate the pressure and temperature requirements, select the appropriate materials and pressure ratings, and make their decisions based on these criteria.
- Valve pressure loss: Valves incur partial resistance losses, which vary depending on their design. Procurement teams must evaluate acceptable resistance levels to ensure optimal valve performance.
Conclusion
Selecting the right valves for the refining and chemical industry is a critical process that requires a thorough understanding of the valve’s function, material, size, end connection, and compatibility with operational conditions. Procurement teams must prioritize collaboration with technical experts, evaluate all relevant factors, and ensure that valves meet the rigorous demands of production. A well-structured procurement strategy, alongside effective quality control and testing, is key to minimizing risks, optimizing performance, and ensuring safety and efficiency in refining operations.
