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Electric-hydraulic Balanced Control Valve

Electric-hydraulic Balanced Control Valve

The electric hydraulic balanced control valve ensures precise flow regulation with balanced plug design for reduced actuator load, ideal for high-pressure oil, gas, and chemical systems up to pn40 and 450°c.

Electric-hydraulic Balanced Control Valve

The electric hydraulic balanced control valve ensures precise flow regulation with balanced plug design for reduced actuator load, ideal for high-pressure oil, gas, and chemical systems up to pn40 and 450°c.

Hydraulic Control Valve
Balanced Control Valve
Electro-Hydraulic Valve

Electric Hydraulic Control Valve

Reliable electro-hydraulic valve solution for water, oil, and gas pipelines.

How It Works

An electric hydraulic control valve, also known as an electro-hydraulic valve, is a solenoid-operated directional valve. The solenoid coil generates a magnetic field to actuate the valve spool, allowing the flow of liquid to open, close, or change direction. This ensures precise control in hydraulic systems.

Function of Control Valve

A control valve regulates flow, pressure, temperature, or other process variables. The choice of valve depends on pipe size, system pressure, media type, and operating conditions. By maintaining stability and safety, these valves ensure efficient operation of pipelines and equipment.

Electro-Hydraulic Actuation

Fast, accurate actuation with solenoid and hydraulic power for precise flow control.

Versatile Applications

Suitable for water, oil, and gas pipelines with various industrial standards.

Reliable Performance

Designed to API and ASME standards with durable construction and long service life.

Technical Specifications

Size 2" and above
Pressure Rating 150LB and higher
Design Temperature ASME B16.34 pressure–temperature rating
Applications Water, oil, gas
Design & Manufacture API 600, API 6D, ASME B16.34 (others on request)
F to F Dimensions API 6D, ASME B16.10, BS EN 558
Connections ASME B16.5, EN 1092, JIS 5K–20K; BW, RTJ available
Structure Flexible or solid disc, OS&Y, BB, FB

Materials of Construction

Body & Bonnet ASTM A216 WCB
Plug ASTM A216 WCB + hard faced
Cage ASTM A276 416
Stem ASTM A182 F6A, F304, F316, XM-19, 17-4PH, Inconel 718, Monel K-500
Seat ASTM A105 + hard faced
Operator Electric hydraulic actuator (on/off or modulating type)

*Special materials available upon request.

Testing & Quality Control

  • API 598 and API 6D inspection standards
  • 100% chemical and mechanical test for each heat number
  • Casting inspection: 100% DPT, partial MT/UT, RT available on request
  • 100% hydraulic shell and seat test, low-pressure air test

The Electric Hydraulic Balanced Control Valve is an advanced flow regulation device engineered for precise control in demanding industrial applications, featuring a balanced plug design that minimizes actuator thrust for efficient operation. This electro-hydraulic valve integrates electric actuation with hydraulic balancing to handle high-pressure differentials, ensuring stable performance in oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation systems. Constructed from robust materials like ASTM A216 WCB carbon steel or CF8M stainless steel, with optional PTFE or metal seats, it offers superior corrosion resistance, making it ideal for industrial hydraulic valve duties in corrosive environments.

Operating via an electric actuator that modulates hydraulic fluid to the balanced plug, the balanced control valve provides equal percentage or linear flow characteristics for accurate throttling, supporting pressure ratings up to PN40 (ANSI Class 600) and temperatures from -29°C to 450°C. Compliant with IEC 60534 for control valve performance and ASME B16.34 for manufacturing, it features a cage-guided trim to reduce cavitation and noise, with Cv values up to 10,000 for versatile flow control. The balanced design equalizes pressure across the plug, reducing actuator size by up to 50% and enabling reliable operation in high-differential pressure scenarios, such as steam lines or gas pipelines.

The valve’s robust construction includes a pressure-balanced plug with upper and lower balancing holes, preventing unbalanced forces and ensuring smooth stem movement even under extreme loads. Its corrosion resistant valve properties are enhanced by hard-facing like Stellite on seats and discs, resisting erosion from abrasive media like slurries or corrosive gases, while optional bellows seals provide zero-emission compliance for hazardous applications. Electric actuators, compatible with 4-20mA, HART, or Foundation Fieldbus protocols, facilitate seamless integration into DCS or PLC systems, with feedback via linear variable differential transformers (LVDT) for position accuracy within ±1%. Rigorous testing per API 598, including hydrostatic shell tests and actuator response verification, confirms tensile strengths above 515 MPa, ensuring durability under cyclic loading.

Compared to unbalanced globe valves, the electric hydraulic control valve offers lower torque requirements and extended actuator life, ideal for automated processes requiring frequent modulation. Its modular trim allows for easy upgrades to anti-cavitation or low-noise configurations, reducing maintenance costs in precision flow valve applications. Optional hydraulic override enables manual emergency operation, while cryogenic extensions support LNG service down to -196°C. The valve’s ability to handle viscous fluids and high velocities without instability makes it a preferred choice for refinery fractionators or boiler controls.

Addressing challenges like actuator overload, flow instability, and fugitive emissions in industrial flow regulation, this balanced control valve incorporates double-packed stems and leak-off ports for enhanced safety. Its compatibility with global standards like API 609 for face-to-face dimensions ensures seamless integration into existing pipelines. Surface treatments such as 3LPE or FBE coatings further boost external protection against atmospheric corrosion. Whether throttling steam in power plants or regulating chemical flows in processing facilities, the Electric Hydraulic Balanced Control Valve delivers unmatched precision, reliability, and efficiency for engineers tackling complex hydraulic control needs.

FAQs

Engineered for precise hydraulic flow control with balanced design and electric actuation.

A balanced plug equalizes pressure across the stem, reducing actuator load in electric hydraulic control valve systems.

Yes, up to PN40 with cage-guided trim for stable balanced control valve operation.

It meets IEC 60534, ASME B16.34, and SIL 3 for electro-hydraulic valve reliability.

Cage-guided trim and multi-stage pressure drop minimize cavitation in precision flow valve applications.

Principles of Operation

Control valves are the most common final control elements in process control industries, manipulating fluid flow to maintain system stability and efficiency.

Flow Regulation

The control valve manipulates flowing media such as gas, steam, water, or chemicals to compensate for load disturbances and keep the process variable close to the desired set point.

Critical Role

Although they are vital for process performance, control valves are often overlooked due to the complexity of fluid mechanics, metallurgy, noise control, and piping design involved in demanding applications.

Control Loop

A control loop typically consists of a sensor, a transmitter, a controller, and the final control element. The valve acts as the “muscle” of the system, executing the corrective signals received from the controller.

System Analogy

In an automatic control system, sensors are the eyes, the controller is the brain, and the final control element—the valve—is the hands. While indispensable, it is sometimes the least understood part of the loop.

What is a Control Valve?

Control valves automatically regulate pressure and flow rate in process systems. They are essential final control elements in industrial automation, ensuring reliable performance and maintaining desired process conditions.

Valve Control

Control valves are available for any pressure class. For plants operating with pressure and temperature combinations that require Class 300 valves, all control valves may be selected as Class 300 for interchangeability. However, if system conditions do not exceed Class 150, higher ratings are not necessary.

Globe valves are most commonly used for control applications, typically featuring flanged ends for easier maintenance. The valve disk is actuated by hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, or mechanical systems, modulating flow by adjusting the position of a plug relative to the valve port.

In modern process plants, hundreds or thousands of control loops work together to maintain variables such as pressure, flow, level, and temperature. Each loop must stay within a defined range to ensure consistent product quality, while minimizing the effect of disturbances caused by system dynamics or interactions between loops.

To reduce disturbances, sensors and transmitters monitor process variables, feeding information to a controller. The controller calculates corrective actions, which are executed by the control valve, the final control element of the loop.

Pressure & Flow Regulation

Maintains pressure and flow rate within safe operating limits to ensure process stability.

Valve Design

Globe valves are standard for control. Discs and plugs are precisely actuated to modulate flow effectively.

Role in Control Loop

Works as the final control element, responding to controller signals to implement process corrections.

Flow Control Valves: What Are They?

Flow control valves, also known as regulating valves, are essential components in fluid systems where precise control of flow rate is required.

General Function

A flow control valve adjusts the rate of fluid flow in a system. These valves are crucial in processes requiring stable and accurate control of liquid or gas flow, ensuring system efficiency and safety.

Pneumatic Flow Control Valves

A pneumatic flow control valve combines a valve and an actuator, using compressed air to regulate flow. This design enables fast response times and high precision, making it ideal for automated systems.

Technical Aspect

Technically, a flow control valve regulates flow rate, which can indirectly influence pressure within a system. By restricting fluid movement, the valve creates a pressure drop upstream.

However, its primary function is flow management, not pressure reduction. If precise pressure regulation is required, specialized pressure-reducing valves should be considered alongside flow control valves.

Valve Control

Control Valve Arrangement

The diagram below illustrates how a control valve regulates the flow rate in a pipeline. The controller compares the actual flow with the desired setpoint and adjusts the valve accordingly. Similar arrangements are used for other variables like temperature, pressure, and liquid level.

Process Signal

Sensors measure process conditions such as flow, pressure, or temperature.

Controller

Receives input, compares with setpoint, and sends corrective signals to the valve.

Control Valve

Modulates flow by adjusting valve opening, ensuring stable operation.

Control valve arrangements are not limited to flow regulation. They can be applied to manage temperature, pressure, level, and flow rate — the most common controlled variables in industrial process systems.

Valve Types and Typical Applications

Different valves serve specific functions such as isolation, throttling, pressure relief, or directional change. The table below summarizes common valve types and their typical applications.

Legend

DC = Directional Change

IoS = Isolation or Stop

PR = Pressure Relief

TH = Throttling

Valve Type IoS TH PR DC
Gate YES NO NO NO
Globe YES YES NO YES (1)
Check (2) NO NO NO
Stop Check YES NO NO NO
Butterfly YES YES NO NO
Ball YES (3) NO YES (4)
Plug YES (3) NO YES (4)
Diaphragm YES NO NO NO
Safety Relief NO NO YES NO

Notes:

  • (1) Globe valves can provide directional change depending on design.
  • (2) Check valves function automatically to prevent backflow.
  • (3) Ball and plug valves may provide limited throttling but are not ideal for precise control.
  • (4) Ball and plug valves can also be used for directional change in certain configurations.
What is a valve?

General Standards of Valves

Organization Standard Description
ANSI American National Standards Institute General industrial standards
API American Petroleum Institute Standards for oil and gas industry
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and pressure vessel codes
BS British Standards UK national standards
GB, JB, HG China Valve Standards Chinese national and industry standards

Industrial Applications

Oil & Gas

Upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, including drilling, refining, and transportation.

Chemical Processing

Handling corrosive and hazardous chemicals in various chemical plants.

Power Generation

Steam, water, and fuel systems in thermal, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants.

Water Treatment

Municipal water supply, wastewater treatment, and industrial water management.

HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in commercial and industrial buildings.

Pharmaceutical & Food

Sterile and hygienic applications, precise flow control in sensitive industries.

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