How to Choose the Right Valve for Hazardous Areas?

Industries such as chemical, petrochemical, and oil & gas often operate in hazardous environments, where safety and equipment reliability are paramount. Valves play a critical role in flow control, and improper selection may lead to gas leakage, explosions, or environmental hazards. Here's how to choose the right valve for hazardous areas.

 

1.Select Explosion-Proof Actuators and Compatible Ball Valves for Hazardous Applications

When dealing with hazardous areas, it's critical to choose explosion-proof actuators  that ensure safe automation. Equally important is selecting the right ball valve to match the actuator and process environment.

Ball valves are widely used in hazardous applications due to their compact design, tight shut-off, and easy of operation. Depending on your needs, you may consider:

·      Fire-safe ball valves for emergency shutdown in fire-prone environments

·      Metal seated ball valves for high-pressure or high-temperature systems

·      Trunnion-mounted ball valves for large-diameter or high-torque operations

·      Cryogenic ball valves for LNG and low-temperature applications

Combining an CE-certified actuator with a robust industrial-grade ball valve improves both system safety and operational efficiency.

2. Choose Corrosion-Resistant Valve Materials

Hazardous areas often involve corrosive chemicals. Therefore, materials like 316 stainless steel, Monel, or Hastelloy are recommended for valve bodies and internal components.

3. Seal Design and Leak-Proof Testing

Valves with high-performance sealing systems and verification through Helium Leak Testing can ensure zero leakage and minimize risks in critical operations.

4. Quality Certification and Test Reports

Choose manufacturers with certifications such as ISO 9001, API 607, and Fugitive Emission. Request documents like MTC (Material Test Certificate) and pressure test reports to verify quality compliance.

Conclusion

Choosing the right valve for hazardous areas ensures the safety and stability of your operation. Anson Flow offers a wide range of explosion-proof, corrosion-resistant, and leak-proof industrial valves tailored for harsh chemical applications. Feel free to contact us for more information!

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