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The importance of maximum allowable stem torque in valves

Article · April 2019

DOI: 10.1007/s42452-019-0445-0

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Review Paper

The importance of maximum allowable stem torque in valves

Karan Sotoodeh1

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

Abstract
Maximum allowable stem torque/thrust (MAST) is defined as the maximum torque/thrust that can be applied to the valve
train without risk of damage, as defined by the valve manufacturer/supplier. The valve train consists of all parts of the
valve drive between the operator and closure member, including the closure member but excluding the valve operator
such as the gearbox. The important point is that the actuator maximum output torque/thrust based on the maximum
supply voltage or operating pressure generated by the actuator should not exceed the valve MAST at any point of travel.
The actuator is a component or machine installed on the valve that is responsible for moving (e.g., opening or closing)
the valve. This paper provides a formula for calculation of MAST in different sections of a valve stem installed on an oil
export pipeline. The result of this calculation shows that the MAST in rectangular section of stem is less than the actuator
torque. Two solutions are proposed in this paper; one is to increase the rectangular section diameter, and the second is
to upgrade the material to a higher strength option such as Inconel 718. The second solution, which is more expensive,
improves the MAST of the stem in all four sections of the circular section with stem keys, stem keys, the circular section,
and the rectangular section.

Keywords  Maximum allowable stem torque (MAST) · Valve design · Actuation · Stem material · Stem diameter · Oil and
gas · Offshore

1 Introduction to MAST rubber-lined butterfly valve with a stem and its stem key
coupling.
Maximum allowable stem torque/thrust (MAST) is defined It is critical to remember that the actuator maximum
as the maximum torque/thrust that can be applied to a output torque/thrust based on the maximum supply volt-
valve train without risk of damage, as defined by the valve age or operating pressure, should not exceed the valve
manufacturer/supplier [1, 2]. The torque that is applied MAST at any point of travel [1, 2]. When it comes to manual
on the valve train comes from the valve operator, which valves, the torque generated by the gear box is not gener-
can be either manual (e.g., a hand wheel plus a gear ally high enough to exceed the MAST. The other reason for
box operator) or actuated. An actuator is a component having high torque values for actuators is having a safety
or machine installed on the valve that is responsible for factor (e.g., 2), calculated using Eq. 1, in designing and siz-
moving (e.g., opening or closing) the valve. The drive train ing the actuators.
includes all parts of the valve drive between the operator
Actuator Torque Value
and the closure member, including the closure member Safety Factor = . (1)
Valve Torque Value
but excluding the valve operator [1–4]. The drive train in
a ball valve includes a solid round stem, a stem key, and a
ball, as well as a ball and stem joint [5]. Figure 1 shows ball
and stem joint for a large size ball valve. Figure 2 shows a

*  Karan Sotoodeh, [email protected] | 1Piping Engineering, AkerSolutions, Oslo, Norway.

SN Applied Sciences (2019) 1:433 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-0445-0

Received: 17 January 2019 / Accepted: 2 April 2019

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Review Paper SN Applied Sciences (2019) 1:433 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-0445-0

of a solid circular section in torsion, should be limited to

0.8Sm [7].

Maximum allowable torsional shear

stress on tem ≤ 0.8 ∗ Sm = 0.8 (3)
∗ 2∕3 ∗ YS = 0.53 ∗ YS

Maximum allowable average primary

shear stress on stem key ≤ 0.6 ∗ Sm = 0.6
(4)
∗ 2∕3 ∗ YS = 0.4 ∗ YS
Fig. 1  Ball, Stem and Ball and stem joint for a large size ball valve
Additionally, design stresses for tensile stress, shear stress
(including torsional shear stress) and bearing stress should
comply with ASME BPVC, Section VIII, except that the design
stress intensity value, Sm , should be taken as 67% of SMYS
[3, 4], specified minimum yield strength, as per API 6D and
ISO 14313. The shear stress and yield stress units are in N/
m2 or N/mm2.

3 MAST calculations

The stem shown in Fig. 3 contains four sections as follows:

1. Top section contains two keys.

2. Circular part in the middle.
3. Rectangular section at the bottom.
4. Stem keys.
Fig. 2  Stem and stem key for a rubber-lined butterfly valve
The maximum allowable stem torque for the top section
that contains two keys is calculated using Eq. 5 and Roark’s
2 MAST limitations equation [5, 8] (Fig. 4).
MAST with 2 keys = MC1 = 0.53 ∗ YS ∗ r 3 ∕B ∗ 1000
( )
The maximum allowable stress for different components
including the valve stem can be calculated based on ASME (5)
code Section VIIII, Div.2, Part AD-132.2, Ed.2004, and ASME where MAST is Nm; YS = yield strength N/mm2; r = stem
code Section II, Part D, Ed. 2017. Equation 2 calculates the diameter/2 mm.
maximum allowable stress for valve Sm based on material B is calculated based on Roark’s equation (Eq. 6):
yield strength [6]. ( )2 ( )3
b b b
2 B = K1 + K2 + K3 + K4 (6)
Sm = xY (2) r r r
3 S
a
where Sm : allowable stress (Ksi); YS : material yield strength where for 0.5 ≤ b
≤ 1.
(Ksi). ( )2
a a
ASME Code Section VIII, Div.02, Part AD-132.2, provides K1 = 1.2512 − 0.5406 + 0.0387
b b
special stress limit values. The average primary shear stress ( )2
a a
across a section loaded under design conditions in pure K2 = − 0.9385 + 2.3450 + 0.3256
b b
shear (such as keys, shear rings, or screw threads) should be ( )2
a a
limited to 0.6Sm . The maximum primary shear under design K3 = 7.2650 − 15.338 + 3.1138
b b
conditions, exclusive of stress concentration at the periphery ( )2
a a
K4 = − 11.152 + 33.710 − 10.007
b b

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Fig. 3  Stem of a valve

Fig. 4  Shaft with two keys

Fig. 5  Solid rectangular sec- Fig. 6  Stem key section

tion

where a: width of key (mm), L: length of key (mm), n: num-

ber of keys, D: stem diameter (mm), b: key groove (mm).
Valve final MAST = Min (MC1, MC2, MC3, MC4).

The MAST in the circular section is calculated based

on Eq. 7 [5]. 4 Case study
MC2 = 0.53 ∗ YS ∗ 3.14 ∗ D3 ∕16,000 Nm
( )
(7) A 30” Class 1500 actuated top entry ball valve is installed
where D is the stem diameter in the round section. on an oil export pipeline. The top entry design which is
The MAST in the rectangular section is calculated welded to the pipeline from both sides reduces the leak-
based on Eq. 8 (Fig. 5) [5, 8]. age possibility from the valve. Additionally, one piece
MC3 = (0.53 ∗ YS ) ∗ (2a ∗ 4b2 ) (3 + 3.6b∕B) 1000 Nm
[ / ]/ design of the body in top entry design increases the
valve resistance against the loads. The body of this valve
(8)
is made of low temperature carbon steel ASTM A352 LCC
material [9]. The valve has emergency shutdown func-
The maximum allowable torque on stem keys has tion with a hydraulic actuator for fast operation. The high
been calculated using Eq. 9 [5, 8] (Fig. 6). pressure of supplied oil to the actuator (e.g. 180 Barg)
MC4 = [(0.6 ∗ Sm ∗ D ∗ L ∗ a)∕2000] ∗ n and high torque and big spring in the actuator provides
fast opening and closing of the valve respectively (Fig. 7).
= [(0.6 ∗ 0.67 ∗ YS ∗ D ∗ L ∗ a)∕2000] ∗ n (9) The actuator sizing safety factor for emergency
= [(0.402 ∗ YS ∗ D ∗ L ∗ a)∕2000] ∗ n shutdown is 2. The torque values of the valve based on
250 Barg differential pressures are given in Table 1. Dou-
ble Isolation and Bleed type 2 valve as per API 6D stand-
ard contains two different seats, one with Single Piston
Effect (SPE) and the other one with Double Piston Effect

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1. Break to open (BTO) This torque is measured when the

valve is closed and the ball opens against just one seat
under pressure. This torque, also called breakaway
torque which is the largest torque in this case.
2. Running torque (RT) The torque of the valve when the
ball opens at approximately 35° to 45°.
3. End to open (ETO) The torque of the valve when the
ball opens at the 80° position closed to fully open the
valve.
4. Break to close (BTC) When the valve is in the fully open
position, the torque required to break the open posi-
tion of the valve to close the valve.
5. End to close (ETC) The torque required to fully close the
valve when the valve is about to close.
6. BTO with double block This torque is measured when
Fig. 7  30” Class 1500 ball valve body the valve is closed and the ball opens against both
seats under pressure.

Table 1  Torque values of the 30” CL1500 top entry ball valve Figure  8 shows the position of the ball in different
30” Class 1500 top entry ball valve, double isolation and bleed type
torque conditions.
2, Delta pressure = 250 Barg The maximum valve torque based on Table  1 is
110,016 Nm. Considering a safety factor of 2 for actuator
Valve to open torque Nm Valve to close torque Nm
sizing and Eq. 1:
BTO Running ETO BTC Running ETC
Actuator torque = 110, 016 × 2 = 220, 032 Nm
 110,016 16,215 36,852 110,016 16,215 36,852
Practically, the safety factor of 2 means that the mini-
mum safety factor of 2 is required, so the actuator torque
(DPE). SPE seat provides isolation from the line side and may exceed 220,032 Nm. However, it is assumed in this
DPE seat provides double isolations from both the line paper that the safety factor is exactly 2.
and valve cavity sides [3]. The stem of this valve has been selected in UNS S41500,
There are six torque values associated with valves ASTM A182 F6NM. The stem diameter is 300 mm with
including ball valves [9]: two stem keys. The values for other parameters are given
below:

Fig. 8  Position of the ball in

different torque conditions

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The alternative is to change the stem material from

YS for ASTM A182 F6NM = 75Ksi = 517.10 N/mm2
ASTM A182 F6NM, 13%Cr 4%Ni to Inconel 718. The average
a = 100  mm, b = 100  mm, r = 150  mm, D = 300  mm, yield strength of this material is 130 Ksi equal to 896.3 N/
2a = 600 mm, 2b = 620 mm, L = 150 mm, n = 2. mm2. Improving the material to Inconel 718 increases the
Using the above parameter values in Eqs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 MAST in all four parts of the stem which are rectangular
gives MAST values in different parts of the stem as follows: area, rounded part with keys, circular part and stem keys.
K1 = 0.7493, K2 = 1.7321, K3 = − 4.9592, K4 = 12.551, B = 3.418759 The MAST value in the rectangular area in Inconel 718 has
been increased to 332,579.2 Nm, which is more than the
MAST with 2 keys = MC1 = 270,555.1 Nm.
actuator torque. Changing the stem material will increase
MAST in the circular section = MC2 = 1,452,191.3 Nm.
the stem torque values in other parts of stem including the
MAST in the rectangular section = MC3 = 191,874.1 Nm.
rounded part with keys, the circular part, and stem keys
MAST in stem keys = MC4 = 935,433.9 Nm.
to 468,958 Nm, 2,517,112 Nm, and 1,621,406 Nm, respec-
Note: during the rotation, the contact pressure values
tively. The stem key material is assumed to be the same
between the key grooves and keys as well as rectangu-
as the stem material in this paper, which is UNS S41500,
lar section in contact to ball are important to be checked.
ASTM A182 F6NM before changing the stem material and
Equations 10, 11 and 12 should be used to check the con-
Inconel 718 in case of upgrading the stem material.
tact pressure between the key and the key grooves.
Force
Contact pressure between key and Grooves = P =
Contact area Compliance with ethical standards 
(10)
Conflict of interest  I declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Torque
Force = (11)
Stem radious

Contact area = Parameter a in figure 6 ∗ L (Length of the key)

References
(12) 1. American Petroleum Institute (API) (2012) Standard for actua-
tor sizing and mounting kits for pipeline valves, 1st edn. API,
5 Solutions and recommendations Washington
2. International Organization for Organization (ISO) (2011) Petro-
The MAST in the rectangular section, equal to 191,874.1, leum and natural gas industries: mechanical integrity and sizing
is less than the actuator torque, which is 220,032 Nm. of actuators and mounting kits for pipeline valves, 1st edn. ISO,
Geneva
The other sections of the stem including stem keys, the
3. American Petroleum Institute (API) (2014) Specification for pipe-
rounded part, and the rounded part with keys have a line and piping valves, 24th edn. API, Washington
higher torque than the actuator. There are two solutions 4. International Organization for Organization (ISO) (2007) Pipeline
to increase the stem torque in the rectangular section. transportation systems: pipeline valves, 2nd edn. ISO, Geneva
5. Piping Engineering (2018) Maximum allowable stem torque.
The first solution, which is probably the least expensive
[Online]. Available from: http://www.pipin​g-engin​eerin​g.com/
option, is to increase the area of the rectangular section. maximu ​ m-allowa​ ble-stem-torque​ -mast.html. Accessed 10 Sept
Increasing the rectangular area from 600 mm × 620 mm to 2018
700 mm × 620 mm increases the MAST in the rectangular 6. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2017) Materials, part
D. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Division II,
area to 223,853.1, as per Eq. 8. Although this solution is
ASME, New York
cheaper, it may not be the favourite of valve manufactur- 7. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2004) Rules for con-
ers since the stem dimension should be changed to a non- struction of pressure vessels, alternative rules. ASME Boiler and
standard dimension. However, it is possible and practical Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Division II, ASME, New York
8. Young C, Budynas R (2002) Roark’s formulas for stress and strain,
for a valve manufacturer to increase or reduce the stem
7th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York
dimensions within the tolerance of manufacturing (e.g., 9. Gokilakrishnan G, Divya S, Rajesh R, Selvakumar V (2014)Oper-
plus or minus a 5% dimension deviation). ating torque in ball valves: a review. Int J Technol Res Eng 2(4).
ISSN: 2347-4718. http://ijtre​.com/image​s/scrip​ts/20140​20420​
The MAST in the rectangular section = MC3 .pdf. Accessed 10 Sept 2018
= 0.53 ∗ YS ∗ 2a ∗ 4b2 ∕(3 + 3.6b∕B) ∕1000
[( ) ( ) ]
Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to
= [(0.53 ∗ 517.10) ∗ 700 ∗ 6202 ∕
( )
jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
(3 + 1.8 ∗ 620∕3.4187)]∕1000 = 223,853.1 Nm

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