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Seals for ball valves

For more than 30 years, PXL SEALS has been providing complete sealing solutions for the hydroelectric power industry.

Of course, the applications include ball valves, which are vital to the smooth operation of a facility. 

PXL SEALS is committed not only to ball valve manufacturers such as GE, Andritz, Vortex Hydra and many others, but also to the end users who operate the equipment, in France and around the world.

We can provide a complete range of seals for ball valves and surrounding components, including seals for mobile rings, trunnions, expansion couplings, actuators and, more generally, all seals that are essential for smooth system operation.

With our expertise and extensive experience with a wide range of valve designs, we can provide a wide range of seal profiles to suit the specific operating conditions of each project, ensuring optimum performance in demanding environments.

1 – Seals for mobile rings

2 – Seals for trunnions

3 – Other seals

 

1. Mobile ring seals for ball valves 

 

• Range of mobile ring seals developed by PXL SEALS

PXL SEALS has developed profiles suited to different types of valves.

Among the standard hydro seals developed, the most suitable solutions for ball valves are:

• "Conventional" D-rings in self-lubricating NBR
• SP and DSH D-rings (Polyurethane)
• SP D-rings (NBR fabric)
• Composite seals (PU, PTFE, PE, etc.)
• U-rings (NBR, NBR fabric and Polyurethane)

 

  

Fig. 1: Mobile ring fitted with polyurethane SP D-rings

Fig. 2: NBR fabric SP D-ring

Fig. 3: Polyurethane SP D-ring

Fig. 4: Mobile ring fitted with NBR fabric SP D-rings

Fig. 5: Mobile ring fitted with self-lubricating NBR D-rings

 

• Made-to-measure seals for mobile rings

The operating ranges of a project can vary considerably between nominal conditions and extreme cases. Each design must therefore be studied taking into account not only sealing challenges, but also other essential aspects, such as the friction generated and its compatibility with the available operating pressures.

In the most critical cases where the operating conditions are beyond conventional operating ranges, we use digital simulation to validate the theoretical behaviour of the seals under these conditions.

Although these calculations remain theoretical in nature and do not perfectly reflect reality, they provide an initial approach to confirm the basic operating principles under ideal conditions.

See the page about PXL SEALS' design office

Fig. 6: Digital simulation of the behaviour of a mobile ring fitted with SP D-rings subjected to 3 different pressure values.

With our manufacturing processes we can cover a wide range of dimensions with or without joints (polyurethane seals sometimes require joints).

Discover how PXL SEALS achieved the splicing of seals for mobile rings exceeding 3 metres.
 

Strengths of PXL SEALS sealing solutions
 

Ball valves are strategic components of a hydroelectric power plant, and the choice of seals to be installed must not be neglected.

Our engineering department analyzes the operating conditions for you and determines the best solution, taking into account all factors influencing seal behaviour.

The earlier the sealing issue is integrated into the design of your ball valve and mobile ring, the better we can support you in choosing the seals and offer the solution best suited to your specifications.

 

2. Trunnion seals
 

Here too, a wide range of products can be used to seal trunnions, depending on the operating conditions and the valve design.

The range includes:

• All types of U-ring adaptable in terms of design and material to suit the conditions of use (NBR, HNBR, polyurethane, etc.).
• Various composite seals (PU, PTFE, PE, etc.)
• Chevron packing (NBR fabric, polyurethane, etc.)

3. Other ball valve seals
 

In addition to these relatively specific and strategic seals, a large number of other, more "conventional" seals are installed on or near the valves. 

Whether you need seals for actuators (U-rings, composite seals, guide segments, etc.) or small or large O-rings, we can provide you with all these products by means of our manufacturing processes, seamless, and with our materials specially proven for use in hydroelectric power applications.

Expansion coupling seals

Other surrounding seals include those for joints referred to as expansion couplings. Here again, depending on the case, very different solutions of varying complexity can be found.

Simple O-rings sometimes do the trick, but in some cases U-rings with very specific designs are used to cover more extreme applications, particularly in terms of the range of cross-sections.

Identifying the right seals is not always easy and should certainly not be left to the last minute. This is all the more true for mobile ring seals: if the housing has been identified without taking the sealing aspect into account, it is sometimes difficult to find a solution that can be adapted and respond perfectly to all parts of the specifications.

Do not hesitate to consult us at the start of your project so that we can jointly identify the housings that best meet both the mechanical and sealing requirements.

Find out about our range of ball valve seals