Exploring Lubricated Plug Valves: Types and Applications

 
 
Lubricated plug valves are crucial fluid control devices essential for ensuring the stable operation of industrial processes. This article will introduce two types of lubricated plug valves: conventional lubricated plug valves and pressure-balanced lubricated plug valves, exploring their characteristics, advantages, and applications in the industrial field.
 

Conventional Lubricated Plug Valves

 
Conventional lubricated plug valves utilize a sealing grease lubrication structure for the valve seat to reduce friction between the valve body and plug sealing surfaces. By injecting high-pressure sealing oil, an oil film is formed around the plug, facilitating easier opening and closing while enhancing sealing performance and service life. Additionally, employing rectangular flow passages and manufacturing the plug cone sealing surface with hard-wearing materials such as deposited STL alloys or surface hardening techniques enhances the valve's wear resistance and corrosion resistance, prolonging its service life. The plug cone surface, meticulously polished to match the valve body's sealing surface, significantly reduces the torque required for opening and closing.
 

Pressure-Balanced Lubricated Plug Valves

 
Pressure-balanced lubricated plug valves introduce further innovation based on conventional lubricated plug valves. The plug cone is installed upside down, with a check valve installed at the top. When the valve is closed, due to the difference in cross-sectional area between the upper and lower sections of the plug cone, the injected high-pressure sealing oil generates an upward lifting force on the plug, enhancing sealing reliability. Upon valve opening, the pressure in the lower cavity of the valve balances with the pipeline's medium pressure, while the high-pressure sealing oil in the upper cavity exerts a downward thrust on the plug, effectively reducing the torque required for rotating the plug and protecting the sealing components. Moreover, pressure-balanced lubricated plug valves can absorb thermal expansion under high-temperature conditions through the plug's up and down movement, avoiding wedging issues of the sealing components.
 

Applications and Future Prospects

 
Lubricated plug valves find extensive applications in fields such as chemical engineering, petroleum, and pharmaceuticals. Their stable performance and excellent sealing characteristics make them excel under harsh conditions of high pressure and high temperature. As industrial technology advances, the demand for fluid control becomes increasingly stringent, thus lubricated plug valves will continue to play a vital role. Concurrently, with the development of intelligent manufacturing and automation technology, these valves will evolve towards greater intelligence and automation to meet industrial production needs.
 
As crucial equipment in the field of fluid control, lubricated plug valves provide essential assurance for industrial production with their stable and reliable performance and continuous technological innovations. With industrial development and technological progress, they will continue to play a significant role, adapting to new industrial demands and challenges. We look forward to seeing lubricated plug valves play an even greater role in future industrial production, contributing further to industrial advancement and societal development.