Page 154 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

1 <4O Reciprocating Compressors: Operation and Maintenance

FIGURE 3-14. Channel valves (Source: France Compressor Products,
Newton, Pennsylvania),

nears a maximum lift. The spring fits into a channel with a close clear-
ance that can provide some gas damping. The application is similar to the
feather valve, but can operate with higher pressure differentials and
under more severe conditions of moisture and foreign materials.
Rectangular valves, both feather and channel valves, have straight ele-
ments and are inherently efficient. Due to their geometry, the strips or
channels must incorporate relatively high lifts. Because they use metal
elements, they can resist only moderate impact velocities and require
clean, non-corrosive conditions. They can, however, run with narrow
sealing surfaces.
Rectangular valves are the valve of choice when the conditions of ser-
vice allow low-impact velocities at high lift and when the gas is clean
and non-corrosive. Under these conditions, they provide reliable service
and the highest efficiency obtainable.