Bellows Seal Valve

20 May.,2024

 

Bellows Seal Valve

Bellows seal valves are valves employed in piping systems to safeguard against leakage. When selected and installed properly, they minimize the risk of potentially harmful chemicals causing injury or illness to workers and damage to the surrounding environment.

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Standard Bellows Seal Sizes

Sizes through 4”

Pressure Rating

Through ASME Class through 2500 #

Standard Forging ASME Materials

SA 105, SA 182-F22, SA 182-F91, SA 182-F92, SA 182-F316
Other materials available upon request.

Accessories

Actuators – Electric, Pneumatic or Hydraulic
Locking Devices – Open, Closed or Both
Limit Switches – Single or Dual
Stem Shroud
Position Indicator
Leak-Off Port

Bellows Seal Design Features

Conval Bellows Seal Valve vs. Packed Valves

Packed valves require two seal boundaries: a 360° seal on the stem surface and a 360° seal on the stuffing box wall. The Conval bellows seal valve removes these two leak paths. Conval bellows seal valves are used when packed valves may not reliably contain light gases or hazardous system fluids. In all applications, the 6-ply Inconel®, welded bellows stem seal is more reliable than sliding stem seals.

Zero Fugitive Emissions

Every Conval bellows assembly is tested for zero leakage using a helium gas mass spectrometer before undergoing further shell and seat leakage testing. Conval’s bellows seal emits no detectable leakage, well beyond Method 21 Fugitive Emissions Test Protocol.

No Torsion of the Bellows

A robust rising, non-rotating stem system prevents destructive torsion, providing extremely long service life from the advanced bellows design.

Three Body Styles

Conval bellows seal valves are available in Y-pattern, Angle-pattern, and T-pattern body styles.

Low Operating Torque

The manual bellows seal valve is provided with a rugged bearing system and grease fitting to minimize operating torque over the life of the valve.

Double Back-up Seating

In the full open position, Conval bellows seal valves are equipped with a superior backseat, isolating a secondary stem seal from the process fluid. The graphitic stem seal is precisely loaded by Conval’s balanced axial gland and Integral Gland Wrench (IGW), providing superb sealing to back up the bellows.

Extended Seat Life

Positive shut-off is achieved over a very long operational life due to the solid cobalt-chrome seats and discs, even in high cycle and high fluid velocity services. A cobalt-free option is available for nuclear and chemical applications.

Flexibility of Design

Conval offers a double height bellows which provides the highest bellows valve flow capacity (Cv) available per pipe size. Test ports (with lantern gland) may also be specified.

Axially-loaded Packing System

The Axial design ensures tight concentricity, which eliminates side loading of the packing and minimizes wear forces on the trim components. This feature is critical for superior valve performance.

Pressure Seal Bonnet

The simple and effective pressure seal bonnet provides ready access for servicing with no welds to cut or seal rings or gaskets to replace. The body-to-bonnet joint integrity is maintained through countless thermal cycles.

Single-piece Gland

In extreme environments, the simpler the design and the fewer the parts, the better. The durable single-piece stainless steel gland contributes to the longevity of the valve.

Pressure-Actuated Backseat

The Clampseal® pressure-actuated backseat provides maximum valve integrity by ensuring a positive internal stop for the valve stem and disc assembly. The pressure actuated backseat also extends packing life by securely isolating the packing from the pressure when the valve is fully open.

Rapid In-Line Renewability

The CLAMPSEAL® Valve is much easier to renew than anything else on the market. The CLAMPSEAL® Valve line provides a modular solution to rising maintenance expenses. Low acquisition cost is not as important as low cost over the serviceable life of a valve. Maintaining a Conval valve is far easier and much less costly than replacing a competitor’s valve.

How Do Bellows Seal Valves Work?

These valves feature an accordion like bellows—i.e., the bellows cartridge component, welded to the valve stem and bonnet. During the valve stroke the bellows compress or expand along with the sliding stem’s linear motion with little to no friction.

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Types of Bellows

  • Formed bellows: Conval’s standard design, formed bellows begin as flat sheet (thin wall foil) rolled into a tube and fusion-welded longitudinally forming a single layer.  Thin metal layers are combined to form multi-ply bellows.  Mechanical or hydrostatic force forms the bellows with wide-spaced rounded folds. Conval has supplied bellows with as many as 6 plies for higher pressure applications.
  • Welded bellows: Welded bellows are manufactured by welding washer-like plates of thin metal at both their inner and outer circumferences.

Types of Bellows Seal Valves

Gate valves, globe valves and ball valves may all be supplied with Bellows should the application require.

Applications of Bellows Seal Valves

These critical components are an essential part of safe fluid system operation in a broad range of industries, including the following:

  • Aerospace
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical processing
  • Fossil power
  • Nuclear power
  • Petroleum
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Semiconductor manufacturing
  • Vacuum and ultra-high vacuum

FAQs

Below we provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding bellows seal valves.

What are some advantages of using bellows seal valves?

The primary function of bellows seal valves is preventing potentially harmful or toxic fugitive emissions which can negatively affect unprotected humans and the surrounding environment. In addition to reducing the risk to employees or the environment, these valves decrease the amount of material lost during operations, which translates to lower overall material costs and greater throughput.

How do I choose a bellows seal valve?

When selecting a bellows seal valve for a system, there are several factors to keep in mind. Some of the key design considerations are:

  • The valve material chosen should be compatible with the operating conditions of the system, including the fluid media, temperature, and pressure. Common materials employed include stainless steel and nickel-based super alloys.
  • Pressure rating. The valve should be rated to handle the range of pressures and temperatures expected from the fluid system. Typical ratings range from ASME 150 to 2500 class.
  • Design Qualifications. Ensure the bellows is qualified to industry standards such as EPRI, MSS, API, or ISO.
  • The size of the valve should suit the design of the system. Conval bellows seal valves are available in sizes ranging from ¼ inch through 4 inch NPS.

How to prevent bellows seal valves from failing

Bellows seal valves are built for reliable operation. While rare, failures do occur. Generally, the root cause of the failure stems, not from the quality of the valve or bellows, but from improper selection, installation, or operation. Some guidelines for avoiding valve failure include:

  • Monitor for excessive back pressure or high inlet pressure variations
  • Select properly sized valves and bellows
  • Operate within the design pressure, temperature and stem stroke ranges.
  • Prevention of cavitation, flashing and other unusual damaging flow conditions.

Contact the Valve Experts at Conval, Inc. Today

For all your bellows seal valve needs, turn to the valve experts at Conval, Inc. Since our founding in 1967, we have developed a reputation as a premier manufacturer of high-pressure/temperature, forged steel valves suitable for use in the most demanding severe service applications. Our commitment to quality translates to our products’ superior durability and performance at the lowest life-cycle cost in the industry.

For additional information about our valve offerings or assistance specifying one (or hopefully many) for your application, contact us today.

Bellow Seal ValveAll you need to know about ... - Valve GMK

What is a bellow seal valve?

A bellow seal valve is a control valve that does not have traditional gland packing and instead has a bellow cartridge that is welded to the valve’s bonnet and stem. Because it may be bent in compression or extension, the bellow is similar to a coiled spring. The main difference between a bellow seal valve and a globe valve is that a globe valve has gland packing along the stem, while a bellow seal valve uses bellows instead of packing to prevent leakage. These valves are completely leakproof and capable of handling caustic substances. These valves may be found in the butadiene extraction unit.

What are the characteristics of a bellow seal valve?

  • These valves are resistant to extreme temperatures and pressures.
  • The bellow seal may prevent the leaking of combustible sensitive material.
  • Life span
  • It can withstand a significant amount of steam pressure.

Why are the valves below sealed?

The majority of control valves are used to regulate the flow and pressure of process fluid. As a result, the risks of leakage are quite significant; leakage might result in material loss. The substance might be radioactive or chemical, causing several difficulties at a facility. The fluid utilized may be caustic, explosive, or toxic. So, to remedy this issue, we may utilize the seal valve.

How do you put in a bellow seal valve?

A bellow-sealed valve may be fitted in any position, however, it should not be installed with the stem upside down. So, by installing a bellow seal valve, we can avoid the collection of debris in the bellows region. So, before we install the bellow valves, we must check that the pipes and valves are clean. The pipes must be linked in such a manner that there is no unnecessary stress acting on the valve housing.

What is a bellow and how are bellow seal valves made?

The valve body material must be chosen based on the flow media’s pressure, temperature, corrosive, and erosive properties. The bellow cartridge will be welded; there are numerous convolutions in a bellow cartridge, and these convolutions may be squeezed or extended in response to valve stem movement. The bellow’s construction material would be stainless steel with titanium added to it, allowing the bellow to endure extreme temperatures.

Bellows Seal Globe Valve Construction

A Bellows globe seal valve is distinguished by its use of metal bellows. Bellows are classified into two types:

  1. Formed Bellows – These are formed by rolling a flat sheet into a tube and longitudinal fusion welding. The tube is then mechanically shaped into a bellow with rounded and evenly spaced folds.
  2. Welded leaf Bellow – The washer-like plates of thin metal are welded together in this kind. Welding is done on both the interior and exterior of the washer-like plate. Welded leaf bellows have more folds per unit length.

For both formed and welded-leaf bellows, the amount of movement in each fold is the same. As a result, mechanically produced bellows are two to three times longer than welded leaf equivalents at the same stroke rate.

The lower end and stem assembly are welded by automated seam welding, while the connecting plate is welded by automated seam welding, forming a metal shield between the fluid medium and the environment and assuring zero leakage from the valve stem.

The sealing surface of the valve disc and the valve structure is perfectly ground so that once installed, it is certified that it has 100% passed a pressure test and any risk of leaking is avoided. The stuffing box is constantly retained on the bellows as an auxiliary seal, which increases durability and protection. The metal bellows of the high-pressure valves are multi-layered, ensuring an open/close life of 10000 times at maximum pressure via hydroforming.

What Is the Function of a Bellow Seal Globe Valve?

A Bellows Seal Globe Valve is a kind of control valve with a compact construction that employs bellows to seal the valve stem components. The bellows valve has a bellow, and the lower end of the stainless-steel bellows is welded to the stem to prevent system fluid from eroding the stem. The other end is inserted between the valve’s body and its cover to form a permanent seal. This double-seal construction prevents leakage since the stem packing prevents additional leaking even if the bellows collapse. The bellows are welded to the valve stem to maintain constant working efficiency and to avoid valve stem vibration caused by valve insert movement.

Benefits of a Bellows Seal Globe Valve

  1. The double seal design (bellows + packing) is the most obvious benefit of any bellows valve. As a result, even if the bellows fail, the stem packing will prevent any leakage and fulfill international sealing requirements.
  2. It decreases medium fluid loss while also ensuring safety and environmental protection. This will finally increase the plant’s safety where the bellows valve has been put.
  3. It may help to reduce energy losses due to leakage, making it an energy saver.
  4. Because leakage is reduced, the valve does not need to be serviced as often. As a result, valve life is extended.
  5. Because of the extended service life, operating and maintenance costs are significantly decreased.
  6. The tough bellows seal construction assures no leaking from the valve stem, resulting in maintenance-free circumstances.
  7. The installation of a bellows valve improves the safety of workers by reducing emissions of flammable, poisonous, and dangerous substances.

Bellows Selection Guide

  • Determine the inner diameter of the bellows based on the diameter of the valve stem. The inner diameter of the bellows should be larger than the 115 mm stem diameter.
  • The outer diameter of the bellows is chosen based on the inner diameter of the bellows. The outer diameter and inner diameter are connected by the outer diameter to inner diameter ratio. In general, the outer diameter to inner diameter ratio is 113 to 115.
  • The wall thickness, number of layers, number of corrugations, and length of the corrugated pipe must match the pressure resistance, stroke, and cycle life criteria. Under normal conditions, the higher the pressure, the bigger the thickness of the bellows. The thickness of the single layer may be lowered and the number of layers of the bellows can be increased to enhance displacement or reduce stiffness and increase life.
  • The multiple designs bellows are suggested for managing larger pressures. The pressure that the bellows can sustain may be enhanced by utilizing two or three metal wall piles, as in the case of multiple designs of bellows. The pressure rating of a two-ply bellow may be increased by 80% to 100% when compared to a single-ply bellow of the same thickness. Alternatively, if a single-ply bellow with a thickness equal to the pressure rating of a two-ply bellow is employed, the stroke length is lowered. As a result, the multiple designs have a clear advantage over the single-ply thick bellows.

Bellows Selection Guide

  1. Determine the inner diameter of the bellows based on the diameter of the valve stem. The inner diameter of the bellows should be larger than the 115 mm stem diameter.
  2. The outer diameter of the bellows is chosen based on the inner diameter of the bellows. The outer diameter and inner diameter are connected by the outer diameter to inner diameter ratio. In general, the outer diameter to inner diameter ratio is 113 to 115.
  3. The wall thickness, number of layers, number of corrugations, and length of the corrugated pipe must match the pressure resistance, stroke, and cycle life criteria. Under normal conditions, the higher the pressure, the bigger the thickness of the bellows. The thickness of the single layer may be lowered and the number of layers of the bellows can be increased to enhance displacement or reduce stiffness and increase life.
  4. he multiple designs bellows are suggested for managing larger pressures. The pressure that the bellows can sustain may be enhanced by utilizing two or three metal wall piles, as in the case of multiple designs of bellows. The pressure rating of a two-ply bellow may be increased by 80% to 100% when compared to a single-ply bellow of the same thickness. Alternatively, if a single-ply bellow with a thickness equal to the pressure rating of a two-ply bellow is employed, the stroke length is lowered. As a result, the multiple designs have a clear advantage over the single-ply thick bellows.

Conclusion

The Bellows Seal Globe Valve’s distinctive design and efficiency in providing leak-proof operations make it the best-suited valve for a broad variety of applications, particularly hazardous compounds and when system media is at high temperatures. Bellows valves have the extra advantage of being durable, maintenance-free, and cost-effective. GMK Valve is a professional bellow seal valve manufacturer; please contact us if you have any questions.

The company is the world’s best Y Type Bellows Seal Globe Valve supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.