An investigation of the failure of a 1/4" ball valve.

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Title: An investigation of the failure of a 1/4" ball valve.
Authors: Moses, Daniel1 (AUTHOR) daniel-moses@utulsa.edu, Haider, Ghulam1 (AUTHOR) ghulam-haider@utulsa.edu, Henshaw, John1 (AUTHOR) john-henshaw@utulsa.edu
Source: Engineering Failure Analysis. Jun2019, Vol. 100, p393-405. 13p.
Subjects: Valves, Cavitation erosion, Mechanical abrasion, Failure analysis, Fluid control, Fluid flow
Abstract: Abstract This paper describes the failure analysis of a 1/4 in. brass ball valve that operated extensively in a partially opened state. The valve showed signs of extreme erosion and corrosion damage and was eventually replaced due to leakage from the valve body. The failure mechanisms observed are a result of improper valve selection and/or operational error. Summary of failure causes • The valve was left partially open for prolonged throttling applications. This resulted in extensive fluid and cavitation erosion. • Abrasive particles (sand) became embedded in the seals. These particles scratched grooves into the ball surface and prevented proper sealing. • Saltwater weakened the brass components through a de-alloying corrosion process. Corrosion was further expedited by cavitation. Ball valves are not intended for continuous throttling operations in harsh environments. Use of a globe type valve is recommended for controlling fluid flow rate in this application. Highlights • A ball valve was left partially open for prolonged throttling applications. • Severe fluid and cavitation erosion damaged the valve ball, seals, and body. • Abrasive particles became embedded in the seals causing scratches on the valve ball. • Saltwater weakened the brass components through a de-alloying corrosion process. • Ball valves are not recommended for controlling fluid flowrates via throttling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Engineering Failure Analysis is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
An: 135686802
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  Data: An investigation of the failure of a 1/4" ball valve.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Moses%2C+Daniel%22">Moses, Daniel</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> daniel-moses@utulsa.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Haider%2C+Ghulam%22">Haider, Ghulam</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> ghulam-haider@utulsa.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Henshaw%2C+John%22">Henshaw, John</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> john-henshaw@utulsa.edu</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Engineering+Failure+Analysis%22">Engineering Failure Analysis</searchLink>. Jun2019, Vol. 100, p393-405. 13p.
– Name: Subject
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Valves%22">Valves</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cavitation+erosion%22">Cavitation erosion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mechanical+abrasion%22">Mechanical abrasion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Failure+analysis%22">Failure analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fluid+control%22">Fluid control</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fluid+flow%22">Fluid flow</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Abstract This paper describes the failure analysis of a 1/4 in. brass ball valve that operated extensively in a partially opened state. The valve showed signs of extreme erosion and corrosion damage and was eventually replaced due to leakage from the valve body. The failure mechanisms observed are a result of improper valve selection and/or operational error. Summary of failure causes • The valve was left partially open for prolonged throttling applications. This resulted in extensive fluid and cavitation erosion. • Abrasive particles (sand) became embedded in the seals. These particles scratched grooves into the ball surface and prevented proper sealing. • Saltwater weakened the brass components through a de-alloying corrosion process. Corrosion was further expedited by cavitation. Ball valves are not intended for continuous throttling operations in harsh environments. Use of a globe type valve is recommended for controlling fluid flow rate in this application. Highlights • A ball valve was left partially open for prolonged throttling applications. • Severe fluid and cavitation erosion damaged the valve ball, seals, and body. • Abrasive particles became embedded in the seals causing scratches on the valve ball. • Saltwater weakened the brass components through a de-alloying corrosion process. • Ball valves are not recommended for controlling fluid flowrates via throttling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Engineering Failure Analysis is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.02.047
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 393
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Valves
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cavitation erosion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mechanical abrasion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Failure analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fluid control
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fluid flow
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: An investigation of the failure of a 1/4" ball valve.
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            NameFull: Moses, Daniel
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            NameFull: Haider, Ghulam
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            NameFull: Henshaw, John
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            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2019
              Type: published
              Y: 2019
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              Value: 13506307
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              Value: 100
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            – TitleFull: Engineering Failure Analysis
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