Influence of Operation Conditions on Mean Time Between Failures of Valve Assemblies in Gas Distribution Networks

• Published in: Chemical and petroleum engineering Vol. 50; no. 1-2; pp. 99 - 104
• Main Authors: Elagina, O. Yu, Vyshegorodtseva, G. I., Gantimirov, B. M., Tarasov, V. V., Klimenko, V. A., Krasil’nikova, M. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.05.2014; Springer
• Subjects: Analysis; Assemblies; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Distribution; Failure; Fretting; Gas utilities; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Industrial Pollution Prevention; Mathematical models; Mean time between failures; Mineral Resources; Natural gas; Networks; Valves; friction wear; valve assembly reliability index; fretting; valve assembly; wear resistance; gas-abrasive wear
• ISSN: 0009-2355; 1573-8329
• DOI: 10.1007/s10556-014-9862-5

We have examined the requirements of valve assemblies used in gas distribution networks, reviewed the materials used for making packing surfaces of ball cocks, analyzed the basic causes of failures, conducted experimental studies, and determined the contribution of each wearing process (wearing due to friction of packing surfaces of shutoff unit, fretting, and attack of gas-abrasive stream) that causes failure of packing surfaces of valve assemblies. Based on the studies conducted on determination of wear resistance of materials and the analysis made of the contribution of each factor, we have built a mathematical model to determine the mean time between failures of valve assemblies for various operation conditions.