A plug valve is designed to allow maximum flow of fluids through the system when the valve is in the open position. The valve is complex in construction and is typically used as a mid and downstream valve in the oil and gas industry, as well as in a variety of other types of applications.
The Benefits
The benefit of an expanding plug valve is the double seal provided. The valve serves a double block and bleed purpose, eliminating contamination and leakage in the system when the plug valve is in the closed position.
In traditional double block and bleed applications, a gate or ball valve is strategically placed in the line above and below (upstream and downstream) to isolate a specific area of the pipe or system and prevent any leakage of fluids. When using an expanding plug valve, there is no need to use these types of valves to create the true seal, which is important to consider when a double isolation protocol is not required.
The Function
The expanding plug valve rotates into the open and closed position without any contact between the body and the seals. There are also protective design elements in the valve that prevent any damage to the seals when in the closed position. The result is a valve with limited abrasion or wear on the seals, allowing for a much longer duty cycle and a superior seal.
