Specific Recommendations for the Installation of Marine Valves: Enhancing Overall Performance and Service Life

Marine valves, as crucial components in shipboard piping systems, have their installation quality directly linked to the service life of the valves, the safety of the ship, and operational efficiency. To ensure the comprehensive performance and service life of marine valves, the following are specific installation recommendations:

1. Preliminary Preparation

1.1 Determination of Valve Type and Specification

Select the appropriate type (e.g., butterfly valve, ball valve, etc.) and specification of marine valve based on actual usage scenarios and piping system requirements. Consider manual operation, electric, or pneumatic control methods to ensure they meet ship operational needs.

1.2 Inspection of Valve Quality

Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the valve before installation, including structural integrity, normal parts, sealing performance, ease of opening and closing, and smooth rotation. Ensure the valve is defect-free and meets relevant quality standards.

1.3 Preparation of Installation Tools and Materials

Prepare necessary installation tools and materials according to the type and specification of the valve, such as bolts, nuts, sealing rings, lubricants, etc., to ensure a smooth installation process.

2. Installation Process

2.1 Confirmation of Installation Location

Determine the installation location of the valve based on the actual ship conditions and piping system layout. Consider operation space, ease of maintenance, waterproofing, and corrosion resistance to ensure the valve can operate normally and is easy to maintain after installation.

2.2 Installation of the Valve

Place the valve at the pipe connection, ensuring the valve's direction aligns with the direction of pipeline fluid flow. For heavier valves, provide fixation and support to prevent tension and torque during installation, affecting the sealing of pipes and connections.

2.3 Connection of Pipes

When connecting the valve to the pipes, pay attention to the correct position of the valve to facilitate subsequent maintenance and operation. Use appropriate connection methods and sealing materials to ensure the sealing performance of the connection.

2.4 Installation of Sealing Rings

When installing sealing rings, choose the appropriate type to match the valve's sealing surface. Gently place the sealing ring onto the valve's sealing surface, avoiding protrusion beyond the valve opening, which could affect sealing effectiveness.

2.5 Inspection and Adjustment

After installation, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the valve to confirm it is securely installed, has good sealing performance, and opens and closes smoothly. Perform a hydrostatic test to verify the valve's sealing performance and operational reliability. Make adjustments as needed to ensure the valve meets operational requirements.

3. Post-Installation Maintenance and Care

3.1 Regular Cleaning

After a period of use, marine valves may accumulate silt and impurities, affecting their sensitivity and sealing performance. Therefore, regularly clean the valves to ensure they are clean and tidy inside. Use clean water or a mild alkaline solution for cleaning, and rinse thoroughly with clean water afterward, applying rust-preventive oil to prevent corrosion of the valve surface.

3.2 Lubrication and Maintenance

Regularly apply an appropriate amount of lubricant (such as yellow dry oil, molybdenum disulfide, or graphite powder) to easily worn parts like valve stem threads to reduce friction and extend service life. For valves that are not frequently opened and closed, also regularly turn the handwheel and apply lubricant to the valve stem threads to prevent sticking.

3.3 Regular Inspection

Regularly inspect the valve, including its integrity, sealing performance, and ease of opening and closing. Promptly identify and address potential issues to prevent failures. Also, inspect stored valves regularly to ensure they are not damaged during storage.

3.4 Proper Storage

When storing marine valves, classify them by type, specification, material, etc., to avoid stacking different types and specifications, which could cause friction, collision, and deformation or damage. Avoid storing in humid environments to prevent valve dampness and corrosion. Attach labels to the valves, clearly indicating model, specification, weight, quality, production date, and other relevant information for ease of subsequent use and maintenance.

4. Quality Control and Process Improvement

4.1 Strict Process Control

During the valve installation process, strictly follow drawings and process specifications. Prepare detailed process routes, quality plans, standardization outlines, and other documents, and invite relevant personnel for scheme verification. Address feedback from actual production processes to make targeted corrections and improvements to the process, ultimately enhancing valve reliability.

4.2 Material Source Control

The material of marine valves directly determines the final product's mechanical properties and reliability. Control material quality from the source, strictly managing castings, forgings, fasteners, sealing components, and electronic components. Use advanced non-destructive testing techniques to inspect castings and forgings after forming to ensure material quality reliability.

In summary, through preliminary preparation, standardized installation processes, enhanced post-installation maintenance and care, as well as strict quality control and process improvement measures, the overall performance and service life of marine valves can be significantly enhanced, ensuring the safe and stable operation of shipboard piping systems.