Selecting The Right Marine Valve

Marine valves are referred to the valves that are in service for marine and maritime applications. Valves are in use as essential components in ships, vessels and offshore platforms.

Depending on the application area within which they are installed, marine valves are responsible for controlling the flow of liquids, gases, and other substances. With that they allow safe and efficient performance of various systems and processes on board.

Keeping their criticality in mind, marine valve selection must be done carefully. In this blog, we will cover some of the key factors that should be considered to make the right choice for these valves. 

First things first, you have to understand the specific applications and requirements for valves in your maritime operations. These include —

• Fluid type: Consider the type of media that the valve will be handling. Whether it is liquid, gas or other substance, will determine the best marine valves.

• Pressure and Temperature: Know the operating pressure and temperature range to ensure the valve can withstand the conditions.

• Flow Requirements: Determine the flow rate and velocity to select the appropriate valve size and type.

Consider the different types of valves that are used in the maritime industry. Each valve type comes with a unique feature and applications that will help you narrow down your choice. Some of the marine valve types include —

• Gate Valves:        Ideal for full-flow applications and minimal fluid resistance.

• Globe Valves:      Suitable for regulating flow and controlling pressure.

• Ball Valves:         Compact and reliable for on/off control with minimal leakage.

• Butterfly Valves: Lightweight and cost-effective for larger pipelines.

• Check Valves:     Prevent backflow and ensure one-way flow.

• Safety Valves:     Protect systems from overpressure conditions.

The choice of material with which the valves are made will also determine the right marine valve. The material must be suitable to withstand the marine environment. This means it can take on saline water and humidity along with UV exposure.

The material in use must also be corrosion-resistant as marine components come in contact with water and other substances that can lead to rusting. Some of the preferred material choice are —

• Bronze: Commonly used for seawater applications due to corrosion resistance.

• Stainless Steel: Durable and versatile for high-pressure systems.

• Cast Iron/Ductile Iron: Economical but requires coatings to prevent corrosion.

You also need to make sure that the material chosen is compliant to the marine industry standards.

You also need to take into account the proper size and configuration depending on the media flow rate and dimensions of the space where the valve will be installed.

The size and layout of the pipeline system must align with the valve size for delivering optimal performance. Alongside, you also need to ensure that the end connections are compatible with the system.

These are the prime marine valve selection criteria that must be kept in mind. You can further narrow down your options by considering other factors such as budget, eco-friendliness, etc.

If you are interested in finding the best quality marine valves then check out Dutco Tennant LLC offered products. They are a trusted supplier of high end marine valves in the Middle East and GCC regions.