Orbit valve is a type of ball valve. Orbit valve employs a tilt and turn mechanism that eliminates seal rubbing. Seal rubbing is the main cause of failure in valves such as ball valves, gate valves, and plug valves. These valves have strong seals mostly made of metal to enhance their ability to work in challenging and aggressive conditions. Orbit valves are suitable for use in meter isolation, flow lines, bypass and block, dryer switching, emergency shutdown, product segregation, discharge, and suction isolation among others. Orbit valves are used in several industries such as gas, oil, petrochemical, and other industries.
Types of Orbit Valve
Manual orbit valves
Manual orbit valves are valves that use a manual actuator to control fluid flow. As the name suggests, these valves do not need power from outside to operate them but rather use a handwheel mechanism to enhance flow control. This valve’s mechanism has a series of gears that enhance output torque relative to the input torque applied by the valve operator. Manual orbit valves have the advantage of being inexpensive, and reliable and do not need an external power source like electricity or pneumatics. These valves are self-contained and because they use the same handwheel to open/close it is easy for the operator to spot the cause of technical problems or errors. However, manual orbit valves cannot be automated and as such, they need to be manually controlled all the time. This would mean that an operator must be available to control and see the smooth operation of the valve.
Pneumatic orbit valves
Pneumatic orbit valves are valves that use pressurized air to operate the orbit valve. These valves work by using the force of air which is applied to a diaphragm or piston attached to the stem of the valve. Unlike manual orbit valves, pneumatic orbit valves can be automated fully or semi-automated. The pneumatic orbit valves are the most common of orbit valve types due to their simple design and reliability. The advantages of pneumatic orbit valves are low costs, low risks of fire, easy operation, and simple and reliable design. However, these valves perform poorly at low speeds.
Electric orbit valves
Electric orbit valves are valves that use electricity to operate. These valves use electric motors to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy suitable for operating (opening/closing) the valve. Electric orbit valves are versatile since they can open/close automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. In electric orbit valves, the motor can operate in both directions. This helps to drive the valve stem using gears. The advantages of electric orbit valves are they do not need fluid or pressurized air and can produce very high torque for heavy-duty applications. However, these valves are very expensive relative to manual and pneumatic orbit valves. Also, electric orbit valves are hazardous to fire and susceptible to power loss.
Hydraulic orbit valves
Hydraulic orbit valves are valves that use fluid under pressure to control fluid flow. The hydraulic fluid used in these valves is either oil or water. The pressure in the fluid causes a piston to move which then controls fluid flow. Hydraulic orbit valves can be automated or semi-automated. The hydraulic orbit valves are known to be more powerful compared to pneumatic orbit valves of the same size. These valves can achieve precise fluid control and they have little energy loss because of the fluid incompressibility. However, hydraulic orbit valves need an external hydraulic pump to enhance fluid flow. Also, these valves can leak hydraulic fluid which can easily cause a fire.
How does an Orbit Ball Valve Work?
Every ORBIT valve incorporates a proven tilt and turns operation that eliminates seal rubbing, which is the primary cause of valve failure. When an ORBIT valve is closed, the core is mechanically wedged tightly against the seat, assuring positive shut-off. When an ORBIT valve begins to open, the core tilts away from the seat and line flow passes uniformly around the core face. This eliminates the localized high velocity flow that typically creates uneven seat wear in ordinary ball, gate, and plug valves. The core then rotates to the fully open position.
The absence of seal rubbing during both opening and closing means easy, low torque valve operation and long term reliable performance. When valve leakage cannot be tolerated, the ORBIT operating principle can be relied upon to deliver a positive shut-off.
To close an ORBiT valve
To close an ORBIT valve, as the handwheel is turned, the stem begins to lower.
Precision spiral grooves in the stem act against fixed guide pins, causing the stem and core to rotate.
Continued turning of the handwheel rotates the core and stem a full 90° without the core touching the seat.
Final turns of the handwheel mechanically wedge the stem down, pressing the core firmly against the seat.
Orbit Ball Valve Parts
Orbit valve has several components, and the major ones are listed here.
Stem
The stem is a sturdy part prepared of steel or other metallic elements. It is utilized to link the valve’s internal mechanism to its outer control mechanism. In a nutshell, the stem links the actuator and orbit valve.
Valve body
An orbit valve’s external casing is known as the valve body, and it serves to store the orbit valve’s interior parts. For the valve body to survive the tremendous pressures brought on by the flowing liquid, it must be sturdy. Due to that, the valve body is made of materials like carbon steel, brass, and stainless steel.
Bonnet
The part of an orbit valve that covers the valve body is the bonnet. This component is fastened to the valve body either with screws or nuts and bolts. When launching an orbit valve, the interior parts are first put into the valve body, and after that, the body and bonnet are linked.
Actuator
An orbit valve’s actuator provides the necessary power to open and close the valve. It could be a hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, or mechanical actuator.
Bearings
Bearings are utilized to increase low operating torque, decrease wear, and sustain the orbit valve’s shaft against stresses. In order to endure the internal pressure and weight of the elements, bearings are built of sturdy materials like stainless steel.
Anti-fire gasket
This gasket is utilized for safeguarding the valve from fire, particularly when it is working with flammable materials like petroleum. Graphite and other anti-fire substances are used to make the gaskets.
In conventional ball valves, gate valves, and plug valves, seat wear is mostly brought on by seal abrasion, which is eradicated by the tilt-and-turn movement.
Individual Seat Design
The orbit valve eliminates the issues associated with trapped pressure between labels by using an individual, fixed seat that seals in double directions.
Maximal Flow
High CV numbers are produced by full port or reduced port apertures. Both erosion issues and system pumping efficiency are improved.
Extended Lifespan
The long-lasting orbit valves can replace other problematic gate valves, plug valves, and globe valves. The orbit valve architecture delivers performance benefits that lower maintenance costs and plant outages.
Injectable Packing
In order to completely regulate fugitive emissions during in-service care and maintenance, stem stuffing substance is pumped through the packing fitting.
Top-entry Structure
The top-entry structure facilitates maintenance by allowing in-line examination and repair after system depressurization.
Self Simple Cleaning
Before rotating, bending the body away from the seat causes an abrupt flow of 360 degrees around the core exterior. Without relying on a single, concentrated area of high-velocity erosive flow, the product flow washes out any new material away from the seat.
Two Stem Guides
The lift-and-turn motion of the stem is regulated by strong guide pins and solidified stem openings.
Low-torque Performance
As the seal rubbing is removed, it allows for easy valve rotation of the orbit valves.
Automatic Cam Closure
A mechanically powered seal is provided by the cam angle at the stem’s deeper end.
Wear-resistant Core Hard Facing
The core face is made of a tough, polished substance that can withstand demanding use without losing its sealing integrity. In addition, it shows resistance to wear.
Applications of Orbit Ball Valves
Orbit valves are used in the control of petroleum products as they employ fire-resistant gaskets.
These valves are used in chemical industries.
They are used in a clean water supply.
Orbit valves are used in oil and gas production.
These valves are used to work in viscous fluids.
These valves are used in pharmaceutical industries.
Orbit valves are used in mole sieve dryers.
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