King Valves on Steam Mains

mboksz

I am planning to install a full port gate valve on a 2" steam main as it comes out of the header, to make it easier to blow out the boiler later on.
I would like to install it on a vertical section of the pipe, but due to the lack of vertical space I am considering to install it on a horizontally sloped line as soon as it turns from the vertical.
Do you see any issues with this valve being there ?

Jamie Hall

I would use a full port ball valve, not a gate valve. But otherwise, no -- just make sure that it's fully open most of the time!

mboksz

Thanks - Just wonder why would you prefer ball valves there ?

Hap_Hazzard

I like ball valves better because they are quicker to open and close, less likely to fail, and you can tell at a glance if they’re open or closed. You just need king valves to be open or closed, never in between. 

mboksz

Make sense - thanks

JohnNY

I would use a gate valve for its shorter length and install it on a vertical pipe either before or after the header.

mboksz

I have quite long risers, but very limited vertical pipe above the header going to the main.
So for the king valve my choices would be to put them on the risers (I am not sure if that would be OK) or on a horizontal pipe of the mains after the header.
If I put them on horizontal (slightly sloped) pipes - my only concern would be that small amount of condensate that could possibly be sitting there in the body of the valve. I wonder if that small amount of condensate would cause any issues.

EdTheHeaterMan

I have always preferred King Valves over Queen Valves. Now the the new Monarch, after over 70 years... will be a King, this may get much easier!

Hap_Hazzard

JohnNY said:

I would use a gate valve for its shorter length and install it on a vertical pipe either before or after the header.

If you install king valves before the header, wouldn’t you also need to put a valve on the equalizer to keep the pressure from pushing water into the header?

ChrisJ

Hap_Hazzard said:

JohnNY said:

I would use a gate valve for its shorter length and install it on a vertical pipe either before or after the header.

If you install king valves before the header, wouldn’t you also need to put a valve on the equalizer to keep the pressure from pushing water into the header?


This is what I keep thinking but I thought maybe I was over complicating things.

Jamie Hall

ChrisJ said:

Hap_Hazzard said:

JohnNY said:

I would use a gate valve for its shorter length and install it on a vertical pipe either before or after the header.

If you install king valves before the header, wouldn’t you also need to put a valve on the equalizer to keep the pressure from pushing water into the header?

This is what I keep thinking but I thought maybe I was over complicating things.

You're not. Yes, you do have to have a valve on the equalizer, if the king valves are on the risers. And make jolly sure that they are both (or all) either closed or open before you start firing things up...