Technical Analysis of Marine Valves: Types, Working Principles, and Applications

Marine valves are indispensable components in ship systems, tasked with controlling fluid flow, regulating system pressure, and ensuring the safe and stable operation of ships. This article delves into the types, working principles, and applications of marine valves in shipbuilding.

I. Types of Marine Valves

There are numerous types of marine valves, each designed to meet specific operational requirements and fluid characteristics. Common marine valves include stop valves, gate valves, check valves, and safety valves.

• Stop Valves: Control the on-off and flow rate of fluids through up-and-down movement of the valve plug. They are known for their simple structure, good sealing performance, and high precision adjustment.

• Gate Valves: Utilize the lifting and lowering of the gate to control media flow. They are suitable for situations requiring full opening or full closing control, with low flow resistance and good sealing performance.

• Check Valves: Prevent fluid backflow based on pressure differences, ensuring one-way flow in pipelines and effectively avoiding safety accidents.

• Safety Valves: Protect systems from overpressure hazards. When system pressure exceeds the set value, they automatically release pressure to ensure the safe operation of ship systems.

II. Working Principles of Marine Valves

Different types of marine valves operate based on distinct principles. For example, stop valves work by rotating the valve stem to move the valve plug up and down, changing the gap between the valve plug and the valve seat to control fluid flow and regulate flow rate. When the valve plug moves down, it tightly fits with the valve seat to prevent fluid flow; when it moves up, the gap increases, allowing fluid to pass.

The working principle of safety valves is based on pressure sensing and automatic release mechanisms. When the pressure within the ship system exceeds the set opening pressure of the safety valve, the valve disc opens automatically to release excess pressure. When the system pressure drops below the reseating pressure, the valve disc closes automatically to prevent further media outflow.

III. Applications of Marine Valves in Ships

Marine valves play a crucial role in ship systems and are widely used in key areas such as hydraulic systems, fuel systems, cooling systems, and drainage systems. For instance, in hydraulic systems, stop valves and gate valves are used to control the flow and pressure of hydraulic oil; in fuel systems, safety valves ensure that the pressure in the fuel system remains within a safe range; and in cooling systems, check valves prevent the backflow of coolant.

Additionally, marine valves are essential for protecting ship systems and equipment. For example, in ship fire protection systems, safety valves ensure that the pressure in the system remains within the set range, allowing for rapid deployment in emergency situations.

Conclusion

Marine valves are indispensable components in ship systems, providing precise control mechanisms to ensure the safe flow of fluids and stable operation of the system. Different types of marine valves operate based on distinct principles and have various applications but share the common goal of providing safe, reliable, and efficient fluid control solutions for ships. As ship technology continues to advance and intelligent levels improve, marine valves will also.