ValvTechnologies’ IsoTech® Parallel Slide Gate Valves
BACKGROUND:
Delamination is the separation of the Alloy 6 or 21 hardfacing from the substrate and is believed to be caused by a sigma phase formation typically found when applied to F91 or C12A materials. This results in catastrophic destruction of the seat seal allowing the migration/liberation of the hardfacing, jeopardizing downstream components.
The industry first learned of Alloy 6 delamination in a large valve designed for high-pressure/high-temperature steam service at the 2009 7F Users Group conference. 7F Users Group, Inc. is organized to provide an open forum through conferences and technological aids to the owners/operators of the GE 7F combustion turbine generator systems for effective communication, discussion and information dissemination regarding the operation, maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting and repair of such systems to maximize equipment performance and reliability
An alert concerning Alloy 6 liberation came from GE Energy, which issued Technical Information Letter 1626 on January 30, 2009. It advised steam-turbine owners to check the condition of the Alloy 6 inlay sections used in fabricating seats for the OEM’s combined stop and control valves.
SOLUTION:
ValvTechnologies’ IsoTech® parallel slide gate valves are built specifically for modern-day severe service power applications where temperatures exceed 1000˚F (538˚C). Our RiTech® 31 hardcoating technology is impervious to the effects of high temperature cycling typically seen in combined cycle power plants in main steam isolation and hot reheat applications.
ValvTechnologies guarantees that our IsoTech® parallel slide gate valve, provided with our recommended RiTech® 31 hardcoating for use in high-pressure and temperature, super-critical and ultra-super critical applications, will not delaminate for 10 years or 10,000 cycles – whichever comes first.
REMEDY:
In the unlikely event the RiTech® 31 hardcoating delaminates from the substrate as described above, ValvTechnologies will provide the necessary labor, supervision and tooling to replace the defective components limited to the discs (2) and seat rings (2), either in situ or in a controlled shop environment.
This guarantee is in addition to our standard Four Year Zero-Leakage warranty. ValvTechnologies makes no warranty of any kind whatsoever, expressed or implied, other than as specifically stated herein.