IKS's forged steel welded body ball valves have several unique features as a result of their simple and more compact design, lighter and stronger construction, and easier operation. All models are fire-safe and maintenance free. They are highly recommended to pipeline contractors who require highly reliable cost-efficient equipment with a long, trouble-free service life.
The A-1 has a full welded body. It is made up of high-quality forged steel parts which are unified by a vertical weld at the center part of the body.
This vertical welding, which distinguishes this model, makes it possible to give the valve a better spherical shape which contributes to the A-1's being more compact, lighter in weight and stronger. This vertical welding also makes it possible to manufacture the A-1 body to extremely high dimensional precision, as a result of which the seat makes a complete seal with the ball. This fully welded, bolt-free body design totally eliminates external leakage, which makes the A-1 valve ideal for underground service, offshore platforms and subsea applications.
The ball is supported from the top and the bottom with a stem and a trunnion. The ball's axis is accurately and centrally aligned, and this greatly assists in complete sealing and accurate operations. Thrust acting on the ball due to fluid pressure is absorbed by a low-friction Teflon® bearing installed around the stem and trunnion. This total system makes operation smooth and easy, and it reduces the required input torque and thus can lower the cost by allowing smaller actuators to be used.
All IKS models incorporate a fire-safe design.
In the event of fire, metal to metal seal is formed when the sealing material is damaged or destroyed.
Sealing is completed when the line pressure acts behind the seat and pushes it against the ball. This results in the proper force of contact being obtained proportionate to the line pressure. This will also contribute to high sealing performance and minimize the input torque needed for operations.
Should the pressure in the valve body cavity ever exceed the line pressure, the floating action of the down stream seat will provide automatic relief by discharging excessive pressure to the line. This mechanism prevents dangerous pressure build up in the valve body cavity due to temperature elevation.
With the valve in the fully open or closed position, the pressure in the body cavity can be reduced to zero regardless of the line pressure. Water, scale and sediment can be remove from the cavity through the drain fittings.
The sealant injection system is able to restore tight shut of sealing if a foreign object should damage the seat surface. The stem seals are installed at two sites. The sealant can also be injected between these double stem seals.
The A-1 valve is maintenance-free.