Valve Maintenance

• How to avoid problems
• Ball valves should be transported and stored with the ball in the fully open or fully closed position.
• Flanged ends and welded ends should be protected.
• End protection should be removed only when the valve is installed in the line.
• Valves should be handled using the proper lifting lugs.
• Valves should be stored according to Al Dossary storage procedures. Long term storage should be avoided.
• For welded-end valves, advise Al Dossary if there will be a post-weld heat treatment (transition pups may be necessary to avoid damages to seals).
• Flush and clean the line before opening/closing the valve.
• Make sure no line-testing fluid is left in the line and/or the valve body.
• Avoid leaving the valve body filled with salt water to prevent internal corrosion.
• During line-testing, valves should be left in the partially open position for the minimum possible amount of time.
• Standard ball valves should be used for on-off service only. Throttling service (use of the valve with the ball partially open) can damage the seats.
• Make sure to take into consideration the actual service conditions when selecting materials for O-rings and seat inserts.
• Always specify anti explosive decompression material for valves to be used in high pressure gas service.
• Make sure the selected actuator has been properly sized (an oversized actuator can be as dangerous as an undersized one).
• Advise Al Dossary of cycle frequency to ensure proper sizing of actuator.
• Do not use the actuator to lift the valve.