Choke valves are the first primary elements that control flow and pressure in oil and gas wells at the point of extraction. In this position the valve is exposed to high velocities and direct impacts from material entrained in the oil, from fine sand and grit, to sizeable chunks of rock and other debris. It is one of the most aggressive valve duties.
Sealing is a vital element in the valve construction and TFC’s Smalley Laminar Rings have been specified as the primary scraper ring seal used in the stem packing and stem plug arrangements. Laminar Rings are configured to create a metal labyrinth, the arrangement of which is dependent upon the severity of the environment.
The labyrinth is created by using a set of 3 in-springing and 2 out-springing single turn rings in an alternating configuration. Manufactured in Haynes 25 Alloy L605, and with special interlocking end configurations, they provide the ideal scraper ring seal set to withstand the arduous conditions to which they are regularly subjected.
The criticality of keeping the valve clear of debris is crucial and failure to do so can dramatically affect performance ultimately leading to a failure within the system, which if a blockage occurs can be catastrophic. TFC’s Smalley labyrinth scraper ring set provides a thoroughly tested and reliable solution to this problem.
The flexibility of the manufacturing process allows virtually any size of ring to be designed into an application.