Swagelok® FKB Series Medium-Pressure Ball Valve

Suggested Event

Automation Technology Expo (ATX) Minneapolis 2023

Oct 10, 2023 to Oct 11, 2023

Medium-pressure ball valves are incorporated into panels or skids for topside control of subsea systems in the oil and gas market, including wellhead control and chemical injection panels. Pressurized substances in these applications are often flammable, so leakage is to be avoided. The Swagelok^A(R) FKB series medium-pressure ball valve seals and reseals reliably for leak-tight performance across the entire pressure range, up to 15,000 psig (1034 bar), required for these systems. The valve's bottom-loaded stem eliminates blowout and increases operator safety. The stem and end connection seals help prevent shell leakage and provide robust cycle life even in severe conditions. Traditional medium-pressure ball valves are prone to leakage across the seat and body leakage to atmosphere, especially when pressure is being built up slowly after a valve has been cycled. While other designs will likely leak following actuation, the FKB series valve provides consistent sealing across its entire pressure range due to a patent-pending "direct load" technology that uses upstream system pressure on one step in the seat carrier and springs on a second step to maintain a leak-tight seal. A positionable handle provides flexibility in component layouts, helping engineers overcome design issues in tight spaces and reduce system footprints. FKB series valves have a proven high cycle life far exceeding the 300 cycles a ball valve typically endures over a chemical injection skid's 20-year life. In a third-party test simulating conditions on a methanol injection skid for deep water exploration, the valve completed more than 4,000 cycles without failure. Swagelok medium-pressure tube fitting end connections on FKB series valves provide robust tube grip on the hard SAF 2507 tubing commonly used in subsea systems. Two case-hardened ferrules in the end connection protect the fitting from vibratory stresses and provide a secure grip to allow for the valve's rated working pressures.

For more information: www.swagelok.com/valves/ball_valves/medium-pressure-ball-valves.htm