Main Applications of Steel Stem Electric Gate Valves

The Main Applications of Steel Stem Electric Gate Valves

Steel stem electric gate valve is an industrial valve that combines the characteristics of a steel valve body and an electric actuator. This type of gate valve is made of steel, usually including different types of steel such as carbon steel or stainless steel, depending on the specific application requirements and working environment requirements. Steel stem refers to the component used to connect the gate and actuator, which can withstand the mechanical stress generated during operation.

Steel stem electric gate valve is an industrial valve that combines the strength of a steel valve body with the convenience of an electric actuator. This type of valve is mainly used to control the flow of fluid in pipelines and can be fully opened or closed, but is not suitable for regulating flow. Due to its ability to withstand high pressure and high temperature, as well as its long service life, it has a wide range of applications in many industries.

In the oil and gas industry, steel stem electric gate valves are an indispensable part. They are used in drilling platforms, onshore oil and gas fields, and refineries to ensure safe and reliable fluid transmission. Especially on offshore platforms, these valves need to be able to resist corrosive marine environments while maintaining high-performance operation to cope with complex mining conditions.

Electricity production is also an important application area for steel stem electric gate valves. Both traditional thermal power generation and modern nuclear power plants require a large number of valves to control the flow of water, stem, and other media. These valves must be able to withstand extreme temperature changes and ensure long-term stable operation, as any malfunction could result in serious consequences, including shutdown and safety hazards.

The chemical industry also relies on these types of valves. The production and processing of chemicals involve various hazardous substances, which requires valve materials to have good corrosion resistance and sealing properties. Steel stem electric gate valves not only meet these requirements, but their electric drive mode makes remote control possible, which is crucial for the safety management and automation control of large-scale chemical plants.

Steel stem electric gate valves can also be found in industries such as papermaking, metallurgy, and pharmaceuticals. In the paper industry, they help manage the transportation of pulp and chemicals. In the metallurgical industry, it is used to control the flow of molten metal and other high-temperature materials. In the pharmaceutical industry, high cleanliness standards encourage the use of steel stem electric gate valves made of high-quality stainless steel materials to ensure a sterile environment for drug production.

Steel stem electric gate valves also play an important role in municipal water supply systems and sewage treatment facilities. The valves used here usually require larger sizes and should be able to adapt to frequent opening and closing requirements to ensure the continuity of daily water supply and water quality safety for urban residents.

Operating principle of steel stem electric gate valves

In steel stem electric gate valves, the core component is the electric actuator, which is connected to the valve stem. When the actuator receives an electrical signal to turn on or off, the internal motor starts.

The rotational motion of the motor is transmitted to the output shaft through a series of gear reduction mechanisms, which is then connected to the valve stem. Due to this deceleration process, the motor is able to generate sufficient torque to overcome the resistance encountered when opening or closing the valve. For gate valves, the up and down movement of the valve stem directly determines the open or closed state of the internal passage of the valve.

In some designs, the valve stem is helical, which means that the rotational motion provided by the motor is actually converted into linear motion of the valve stem. This is usually accomplished through a combination of nuts and screws, one of which is fixed while the other can move freely. As the motor rotates, the lead screw (or the lead screw in the fixed nut) moves along its axis direction, thereby pushing or pulling the valve plate and changing the state of the fluid passage.

The electric actuator is also equipped with a travel limit device and a torque protection mechanism. The travel restriction ensures that the valve stem does not move excessively, avoiding damage to the valve structure. The torque protection can cut off the power supply when encountering abnormal resistance, preventing motor overload or damage to valve components. These safety measures ensure that steel stem electric gate valves can operate safely and reliably even under abnormal working conditions.

The control system is an important component of electric gate valves, which can be a simple switch type control or a more complex proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. The latter can accurately adjust the valve position according to preset parameters to meet different flow control requirements. The control system may also include feedback sensors to monitor the position of the valve and send signals to the central control system to confirm whether the valve has been fully opened or closed.

In addition to the basic functions mentioned above, some advanced electric actuators can also provide diagnostic information, such as the number of operations, fault history, etc., to help maintenance personnel understand the health status of the equipment and carry out preventive maintenance. This feature improves the reliability of the entire system and reduces the possibility of unexpected shutdowns.

Notes for installation of steel stem electric gate valves

Ensure the cleanliness of valves and connecting pipelines. The presence of any impurities or foreign objects may affect the sealing performance of the valve and even cause damage to internal components. Therefore, before installation, it is necessary to carefully inspect the inside of the valve and the pipe sections to be connected, and remove all possible debris.

Choosing the correct installation location and direction is very important. Steel stem electric gate valves usually have clear flow direction markings and must be installed in the direction indicated by the arrow to ensure that fluid can pass through the valve correctly and avoid operational difficulties or equipment damage caused by backflow. At the same time, considering the convenience of maintenance and operation, sufficient space should be reserved to make valve handwheels, actuators, and other parts easily accessible.

The installation environment also needs to be considered. Steel stem electric gate valves should be avoided from being installed in places that are susceptible to vibration, extreme temperature changes, or corrosive gases. If it cannot be avoided, corresponding protective measures should be taken, such as using protective covers or insulation materials, to reduce the impact of external factors on the valve.

For steel stem electric gate valves, the safety of their electrical components cannot be ignored. The power and control wires of the electric actuator must be wired correctly and treated with waterproof and dustproof measures to prevent short circuits or other electrical faults. In addition, the grounding wire must also be reliably connected to ensure the safety of operators.

In terms of connecting pipelines, flange connection is one of the most common forms. When using flange connections, ensure that the flange surface is flat and free of scratches, and use gaskets that meet the standards. When tightening bolts, uniform force should be applied and gradually tightened to prevent leakage or flange deformation caused by uneven force.

After installation, a series of tests should be conducted, including pressure testing and operational testing, to verify whether the steel stem electric gate valve functions properly and meets design requirements. This is not only to ensure the safe operation of the system, but also to promptly identify and correct potential issues. During the testing process, attention should be paid to observing the operation of the valve, whether there are any abnormal noises, leaks, etc. Adjust valve settings or conduct further inspections as necessary based on test results.

The core points of maintenance and upkeep for steel stem electric gate valves

For steel stem electric gate valves, maintaining cleanliness is the foundation. Due to the fact that valves are usually installed in pipeline systems, impurities such as dust and dirt that may exist in the surrounding environment may affect the operation of the valves. Therefore, the surface and surrounding environment of the valve should be regularly cleaned, especially the sediment and corrosion products on the valve body, to avoid them affecting the sealing and operational flexibility of the valve.

Lubrication is an essential part that cannot be ignored. There are many moving parts inside the steel stem electric gate valve, such as threaded connections, contact surfaces between the valve stem and packing, etc. If these parts lack proper lubrication, friction will increase, which will affect the opening and closing speed and force of the valve. So, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, appropriate lubricants should be used to lubricate the relevant parts, but care should be taken not to over lubricate to avoid lubricant leakage and pollution of the medium or environment.

Checking the electrical part is also crucial. As an electric type valve, its driving device relies on power supply. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check whether the motor, controller, and cable connections are intact, and confirm that there are no short circuits, aging, or damage. At the same time, attention should be paid to the grounding situation to ensure that good grounding can effectively prevent safety hazards caused by static electricity accumulation.

Testing the functionality of valves is equally important. This includes verifying whether the opening and closing status of the valve is correct, whether there is internal leakage, and whether the working pressure of the actuator is within the normal range. Regularly testing valve functionality through manual or automatic means can promptly identify and resolve minor issues, preventing them from escalating into larger failures.

Sealing inspection is indispensable. Because steel stem electric gate valves are mainly used to control fluid flow, and the good sealing performance is crucial. Regularly check the condition of the sealing ring to see if there are any issues such as wear and deformation, and replace aging seals according to the actual situation to ensure that the valve always has a reliable sealing effect. In addition, attention should be paid to checking the tightness of the stuffing box to prevent leakage caused by looseness.