V Series Metal Seated Ball Valves
Longer Service Life. Absolute Zero-leakage.
ValvTechnologies’ Switching Valves
Decrease unscheduled downtime and production losses with ValvTechnologies’ switching valves.
The ValvTechnologies’ switch valves are designed for use in the delayed coker found in many integrated oil refineries. There are two drums in a delayed coker unit that work consecutively while in operation. When one drum is functioning, the other drum is being de-coked. The switching valve is required to direct hot feed to either drum A or drum B. The valve also has the bypass position to divert flow back to the fractionator for or during emergencies. The bypass has the same port dimension as the main drum feed lines. The control package also has the capability of providing multiple intermediate positions to provide the capability to warm the new drum while slowly reducing feed to the live drum. The switch valve is the most critical valve in the unit.
This valve is found in delayed coker units where multi-port valves are required in high-temperature coking applications. These systems contain sticky residue, solids, and other system contaminants.
FAQs – Switching Valves
What is a zero-leakage switching valve and why is it critical in delayed coker units?
Switch valves direct hot feed to alternating coker drums (A or B) and offer a bypass path while facing extreme conditions like high temperatures, sticky coke, solids, and the need for precise control. Zero-leakage capability avoids cross-contamination and shutdowns.
What operational flexibility do switch valves offer in coker service?
They often feature four-way or multi-port configurations that enable feed switching between drums, bypassing to the fractionator during emergencies, and intermediate positions allowing controlled drum warming.
Why is continuous purging essential, and how does switching valves handle it?
Continuous steam purging prevents coke buildup within the switch valve which is key for reliability. ValvTechnologies’ design integrates purging to keep feed paths clean and minimize downtime.
