Designed for improved cycle life in the field, the Swagelok® FKB series medium-pressure ball valve provides a leak-tight seal for applications up to 15 000 psig (1034 bar). The trunnion-style ball valve features Swagelok’s patent-pending direct load design, which delivers a more consistent seal across a full range of pressures. Innovative stem and end connection seals prevent shell leakage and provide robust cycle life even in severe conditions. The introduction of this ball valve expands the company’s line of medium-pressure products, including gaugeable tube and adapter fittings and seamless tubing, which satisfy the higher working pressure requirements of the oil and gas industry. “With the patent-pending direct load design, the medium-pressure ball valve delivers a consistent leak-tight, live-loaded seat seal across a full range of pressures,” said Bill Menz, market manager, Swagelok. “Even when depressurization of the system occurs, the direct load design ensures a leak-tight seal upon repressurization of the system." Swagelok medium-pressure ball valves deliver reliable and repeatable operation to meet the performance requirements of common off-shore applications, such as topside wellhead control panels, chemical injection panels, well workover panels and control systems. A bottom-loaded stem design eliminates system blowout for enhanced operator safety. Maintaining the integrity of the valve seal is critical for applications where positive shut off is required. The valve features low-torque actuation, eliminating the need for assist methods and accessories in manual actuation. If pneumatic actuation is required, the valves are available with ISO-5211 compliant actuators. A positionable handle provides flexibility in panel layout by reducing clearance issues with other components. Swagelok medium-pressure ball valves feature a 0.209 in. (5.3 mm) orifice, 316 stainless steel body construction, and reinforced PEEK seat seals. The valves are rated for temperatures from 0° to 250°F (-17° to 121°C) and maintain a full pressure rating throughout the entire operating temperature range. Multiple O-ring materials are available, including nitrile, fluoroelastomer, and perfluoroelastomer. All wetted materials are compatible with most hydrocarbons. Offered in a 2-way configuration, the valves are available with Swagelok medium-pressure tube fitting end connections, which provide single turn makeup, or makeup by torque, for reduced installation time and labor costs. Like traditional Swagelok® tube fittings, the end connections employ a two ferrule design to deliver robust tube grip, leak-tight gas seal, and vibration resistance. Female NPT end connections are also available. End connections sizes are 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 in. The FKB series valve is the company’s first release of three sizes for its medium-pressure product line. The Swagelok line of medium pressure products currently includes medium pressure fittings and seamless tubing. The all 316 stainless steel fittings are available in a variety of configurations for use with medium pressure stainless steel tubing, both heavy wall annealed and cold-drawn 1/8 hard, and heavy wall SAF 2507™ super duplex tubing.
