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Common Types of Valve Actuators
Paige Pesko • Mar 04, 2020
Actuators are devices that help pipeline workers operate valves with a power source. The power can be electric, air (pneumatic), or flow (hydraulic)—which in our case would utilize gas or oil. Actuators function in two primary ways: linear and rotary. So without further ado, let’s get into the common types of valve actuators.
Manpower Actuator
Also known as a manual valve, these actuators typically require a worker to turn a wheel or lever. However, with the amount of pressure coming from within the pipes, people usually don’t prefer manual actuators because they’re difficult to operate. Manual actuators do have their advantages, though; for example, if you need the valve’s position to be accurate, manual actuators are ideal.
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Actuators
One of the common types of actuators are pneumatic, that is, air operated. However, organizations need to choose if they want a linear or rotary pneumatic actuator. A pneumatic linear actuator uses a compressor or manual pump that moves a piston throughout the pipe. On the other hand, a rotary pneumatic actuator still uses a compressor; however, instead of a piston, the actuator will use an oscillating rotating motion. Hydraulic actuators are like pneumatic actuators, with the exception of the power source. Hydraulic actuators operate using a liquid—most commonly oil. However, they work the same way pneumatic actuators do. The main benefit of hydraulic actuators compared to pneumatic is that hydraulic actuators operate more efficiently.
Electric Actuators
Lastly, electric actuators have become increasingly popular among the oil and gas industry. Two reasons people prefer using electric actuators are cleanliness and reliability. In other words, you don’t need to worry about compressed air or oil to operate the actuator. The linear version of an electric actuator operates based on the movement of screws and allows users to convert electricity into torque. On the other hand, a rotary electric actuator is ideal for projects involving common rotating valves, such as ball valves.
Before choosing an actuator, you must determine your purpose for the actuator. For example, some actuators may work great in one scenario, but that same actuator wouldn’t be as efficient in another scenario.
Here at Tiger Valve Company, we have a proven track record of expertise, along with our certifications from the American Petroleum Institute. We have an extensive inventory from different valves to rack and pinion actuators. Contact us today for more information.
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Right now, there are over 3,000 facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf involved in the collection and treatment of oil and gas. These oils and gases are collected from wells -- a process that's performed using certain types of high pressure valves. Of course, different types of American ball valves offer different results and it's crucial that the right projects are executed with the right types of valves. Quite often, the types of valves being used are ball valves, sometimes referred to as pig ball valves or pig vales (as they are used in conjunction with pipeline pigging systems). Before sourcing and investing in valves, it is important to understand the degree to which these valves may differ from one another. Let's delve into some of the defining characteristics of ball valve types. Ball Valve Body Styles Before getting into the exact types of ball valves that are available at the moment, it's important to remember that there are actually four separate types of body styles. These include the single body, split body, top entry, and welded styles. The styles of ball valves available differ from the types of ball valves available. This means that there are number of potential variations that you can see in ball valves. The great thing about this variety is that it means that there is more potential applicability in ball valves than there would be otherwise. Full Port Ball Valves: Turning to the different body types of ball valves, we can first look at the full port ball valve. A full port ball valve is defined by the fact that it has an oversized ball. The oversized ball has a purpose -- it is the same size as the pipeline. This means that there will be less potential friction less than there would be if the ball wasn't the same size as the pipeline, and the flow involved is unrestricted. The valve is larger as well. Standard Port Valves: As their name suggests, standard port valve are quite usual. This means they're less expensive than some alternatives. This type of valve has a smaller ball, and therefore the valve itself is smaller as well. The flow going through the pipe will in turn be smaller and will typically be about one pipe size smaller than the valve's pipe size. This makes it more restricted. The V Port Ball Valve: The V port ball valve is named after its V-shaped seat. What this means is that the orifice through which the product flows can be more easily opened and closed to change its direction. While many like this idea, the construction of this type of valve means that it can't be used just anywhere. It typically needs to be utilized in a more secure site. When the valve is opened, it is usually opened at the "small end" first, which helps stabilize the flow control. Trunnion Ball Valve: Then there is the trunnion ball valve, which doesn't exactly give much away through its name. This type of valve will actually anchor the valve at the top and the bottom through a particular mechanism. This would be applied on larger and more high pressure valves. While this type of valve isn't going to fit everyone's needs, it can definitely be used for particularly high pressure projects. Manually Operated Valves: Finally, these types of valves can be closed more quickly than their counterparts. Though this is an advantage in some cases, it also means that there can be a risk of a water hammer. These can include an actuator, which can be pneumatically or motor operated, which will in turn be used for on/off flow control. The valve will also have a positioner, which transforms the control signal into an actuator position. The flexibility of this type of valve is certainly an advantage to most projects. Now that you're more familiar with the styles and types of ball valves, you'll be in a better position to make decisions that will support your needs. For more information, please contact us today.
