ValvTechnologies and Mead O’Brien: Delivering Critical Valve Solutions to the Midwest Power Market

ValvTechnologies has built its reputation on delivering zero-leakage, severe service valve solutions that meet the punishing demands of the power industry. Their portfolio delivers reliability, safety, and durability across a wide array of high-temperature, high-pressure, and abrasive environments found in modern power generation - from fossil and nuclear to combined cycle and co-generation plants.

At the heart of ValvTechnologies' offering is their signature V Series metal-seated ball valve line. These valves feature an integral seat design with HVOF RiTech® coatings, providing exceptional hardness (68-72 Rc) to resist corrosion, erosion, and wear. A proprietary body seal ring handles pressures exceeding 20,000 psi and temperatures up to 1400°F, ensuring high-integrity sealing in the harshest environments. Additionally, the NexTech live-loaded gland packing system utilizes Grafoil and carbon fiber/Inconel rings with Belleville springs to maintain emissions control and leak-proof performance even under intense thermal cycling.

The V Series spans multiple configurations—from compact low-pressure designs to large-bore, high-pressure models - offering ANSI/ASME Class 150 to 4500 service in sizes up to 36 inches. This modularity makes them a go-to solution for feedwater systems, boiler blowdowns, steam lines, and turbine bypass operations.

Complementing the V Series is the IsoTech® valve, a premium choice for large-diameter, high-energy piping systems in steam and feedwater applications. IsoTech® valves are field-repairable in-line, a critical advantage during outages. They utilize the same carbide overlays and spring-loaded sealing approach as the ball valves, achieving bubble-tight shutoff even under vacuum conditions. IsoTech® products come with ValvTechnologies' renowned four-year zero-leakage warranty and a delamination guarantee.

For applications requiring precision control, ValvTechnologies offers the Xactrol® control valve series. Designed for both liquid and gas service, the Xactrol® excels in high ∆P scenarios, handling cavitation, flashing, erosion, and vibration with ease. It's available in several configurations, each tailored for specific flow control needs, including the high-performance Mark III for sonic velocity gas and severe liquid service.

ValvTechnologies also address power plant safety and start-up operations with specialty valves, such as their ERV (Electronic Relief Valve) system and sky vent start-up valves. The ERV combines electronic monitoring with a zero-leakage isolation valve for overpressure protection, while the sky vent line safeguards plant equipment from thermal stress during start-up by precisely venting high-temperature steam.

Recognizing the importance of efficiency and lifecycle management, ValvTechnologies introduced ValvPerformance Testing™. This advanced acoustic monitoring system assesses valve performance across entire plants, supporting predictive maintenance and reducing downtime. Most facilities see a 1–4% gain in thermal efficiency after addressing problem valves identified by this testing.

To streamline procurement and integration, ValvTechnologies also offers pre-engineered packages, such as the ValvXpress®, which combines their high-quality V1-1 valve with an automated actuator system - ideal for customers who require rapid deployment without sacrificing performance.

In the Midwest, ValvTechnologies partners with Mead O'Brien, with offices in Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, Tulsa, OK, and Calvert City, KY. Mead O'Brien stands out as a leading distributor of ValvTechnologies' high-performance products, serving power generation clients with local expertise, application support, and rapid response. Their partnership ensures that power plants across the region operate with maximum reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Mead O'Brien
https://meadobrien.com
(800) 874-9655

Securing Critical Processes: The Importance of Severe Service Valves

Metal-seated, zero-leakage, severe service valves are specialized solutions for various industries most demanding and challenging applications. These valves provide exceptional performance, reliability, and safety in environments where traditional valves may fail to meet stringent requirements. Their unique design and advanced features make them essential components in oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation, and more.

The primary characteristic of metal-seated, zero-leakage, severe service valves is their ability to achieve a perfect seal, even under extreme conditions. Unlike conventional valves that may use soft seats or elastomeric materials, these valves employ superior metal-to-metal seating surfaces. The metal seats are precision-machined and often coated with advanced materials like stellite or tungsten carbide to enhance their durability and resistance to wear corrosion, and erosion. This metal-to-metal seating ensures a tight seal, preventing fluid or gas leakage, even at high temperatures and pressures.

Zero leakage is a critical requirement and a responsibility in many industrial applications, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Leakage of hydrocarbons or other hazardous fluids can lead to severe environmental contamination, safety risks, and significant financial losses. Metal-seated, zero-leakage valves address this issue by providing a reliable and long-lasting solution. They are designed to maintain their sealing integrity even after numerous cycles and in the presence of abrasive or corrosive media. This level of performance is essential in downstream processing, where the slightest leakage can disrupt operations and compromise product quality.

In addition to their zero-leakage capabilities, severe service valves withstand extreme operating conditions. Depending on the specific application requirements, they use high-strength, heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel, nickel alloys, or titanium. These materials enable the valves to handle high temperatures, pressures, and aggressive media without failure or degradation. The robust construction also allows for a longer service life, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and replacements.

Severe service valves find applications in various critical processes across industries such as steam systems, boiler feedwater control, and turbine bypass applications in the power generation sector. The valves' ability to handle high-temperature steam and maintain tight shutoff is crucial for efficient and safe power plant operations. In the chemical processing industry, severe service valves apply in reactor systems, high-pressure fluid handling, and corrosive environments. They ensure process integrity, prevent leakage of toxic chemicals, and contribute to the plant's overall safety.

The oil and gas industry relies heavily on metal-seated, zero-leakage, severe service valves throughout its upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. These valves are vital in ensuring smooth and safe operations, from wellhead control and pipeline isolation to refinery processes and gas processing plants. They handle the extreme pressures, temperatures, and abrasive nature of hydrocarbons, providing reliable flow control and isolation capabilities.

In conclusion, metal-seated, zero-leakage, severe service valves are indispensable components in industries that demand the highest performance, reliability, and safety levels. Their unique design, materials construction, and zero-leakage capabilities make them the preferred choice for handling extreme conditions and critical applications. By investing in these advanced valve solutions, industries can mitigate risks, improve process efficiency, and ensure compliance with stringent environmental and safety regulations.

Mead O'Brien
https://meadobrien.com
(800) 874-9655