Bellows seal globe valves have the ability to create reliable leak-free seals in high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
As a result, they are crucial items in different industries like chemicals and gas for their smooth and safe operation.
Continue reading to learn more about bellows seal globe valves, including their main components and types.
What is a Bellow Seal Globe Valve?
A bellow seal globe valve safely controls and manages the flow of materials like fluids and gases inside a pipeline. It’s because it is an industrial item that uses multiple seals to protect its valve from leaking. An example of its seal is the one around the stem.
This makes them commonly used in industries like oil, gas, and chemical for their operation. These factories’ environments have a higher chance of dangerous leakage and fire due to the toxic materials it handles, which can cause safety concerns.
The Main Components of Bellows Seal Globe Valve
The bellows seal globe valve is built up of multiple components, including the stem, body, disc, bellows seal, packing and bonnet,. Each of their important functions in the bellow seal globe valve will be further explained below.
- Disc
This bellows seal globe valve’s part is the main sealing component and the one that is attached to the stem.
The stem lifts the disc from the seat when the valve is open, allowing the material to go through the passage. But when the valve is closed, the disc is pressed against the seat to prevent the material from going through the pipes.
- Stem
This is the component that is connected to the bellows seal globe valve’s disc actuator, which lets the material go through the pipe or prevents it.
When the handwheel turns, the stem moves the disc up or down, and this lets the valve either open or close.
- Body
The bellows seal globe valve body is the main structure that holds all the other components inside to control the materials passing through it.
It is designed to be used in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. One of the reasons is because it is made from durable materials that can often handle up to 2500 psi.
- Bonnet
The bonnet protects the valve’s stem and packing from outside environmental factors like dust and moisture, as well as preventing leaking.
This is usually fastened or welded in the valve’s body to maintain its structural integrity and achieve a smooth operation.
- Packing
This serves as the valve’s extra seal around the stem, which increases its structure’s safety and reliability.
When the bellow seal gets damaged, the packing becomes the additional barrier that blocks the materials inside the pipe from leaking.
- Bellow Seal
Bellow seals are components that are shaped into a set of rounded folds and wrapped around the stem. This is also made from strong materials that can be designed to be flexible and effective seals, such as:
- Hastelloy
- Stainless steel
- Flexible graphite
The bellow seal can expand and shrink according to the changes in pressure and temperature in the entire pipe structure. Therefore, it protects the valve stem while it moves and ensures safe operation.
How does the Bellows Seal Globe Valve work?
Turning the actuator or the handwheel, the stem will rise along with the disc away from the seat, which allows the material to flow through the valve.
But when you turn the actuator in the opposite direction, the stem will push the disc against the seat. So, it will block the path for materials to flow through.
While the material goes through the valve, the other components are also working for smooth performance. To illustrate, the bellow stretches and folds to keep the material from being carried out around the stem as it moves.
5 Types of Bellows Seal Globe Valve
Flanged Bellows Seal Globe Valve
This bellow seal globe valve has a connection that features raised flat rims on both ends called flanges. This makes it easy to install and remove for regular maintenance or repair.
Y Pattern Bellows Seal Globe Valve
Notable for its unique “Y”-shaped body. As a result, the material may travel more straight across the valve than by the other types. This will help reduce pressure drops because the material does not need to change direction inside the valve.
Extended Bellows Seal Globe Valve
These globe valves consist of longer bellows than the other types. The expanded bellows increase the valve’s protection from potential hazards such as leaking, particularly for high-temperature and high-pressure applications.
Welded Ends Bellow Seal Globe Valve
Its bellow seals’ ends are already tightly attached to the stem. So, it had a permanent and strong seal unlike other valves, making them suitable for high temperature and high pressure working environments.
Socket-welded Bellows Seal Globe Valve
It has a circular aperture at both valve ends where the pipes can be placed directly. This results in an effective, non-leaking connection.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Bellow Seal Globe Valve?
Like other valves, it also has advantages and disadvantages to take note of, such as the following:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Have flexible metal bellows that prevent leakage around the stem, unlike other regular globe valves. | The bellows is another component that can be damaged from different factors, like improper handling. |
| The stem packing will continue to protect the valve from leaking in case the bellows are damaged. This increases the durability of this valve. | It includes more components than other valves, which involve a bellows seal and stem packing. As a result, the amount of components required and the difficulty of installing the valve increase. |
| Its high-quality materials are less vulnerable to corrosion, making them ideal for hazardous materials that are often used in most industries. | Its complex design and high-quality materials make them more expensive to manufacture than other valves. |
How to Choose the Best Bellows Seal Globe Valve Manufacturer?
There’s a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right bellow seal globe valve manufacturer.
One of them is to look for a manufacturer like Xintai Valve that has certifications that show they follow international standards like ASME and API. This ensures their commitment to creating high-quality products.
Another factor is to analyse the manufacturer’s experience in the field of creating valves and their product range. Longer experience in manufacturing and having a wide product range will ensure they can meet the customers unique requirements for application.
If you’re looking for a reputable manufacturer now, contact Xintai Valve for reliable globe valves that ensure smooth operation.
