Side-by-side comparison of all major industrial valve types for Saudi Aramco projects. Pressure class, temperature range, ASME rating, API standard, applicable SAMSS reference, and recommended application — all in one place.
| Valve Type | Operation | Pressure Class | Temp Range | Key API Standard | Aramco SAMSS | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Valve | Quarter-turn | Class 150 – 2500 | -29°C to 538°C | API 6D | 04-SAMSS-035 | On/off isolation, hydrocarbons, utility |
| Gate Valve | Multi-turn | Class 150 – 4500 | -29°C to 650°C | API 600, API 602 | 04-SAMSS-035 | Full-bore isolation, large diameter lines |
| Globe Valve | Multi-turn | Class 150 – 2500 | -29°C to 538°C | API 602 | 04-SAMSS-035 | Throttling, flow control, steam service |
| Butterfly Valve | Quarter-turn | Class 150 only | -10°C to 200°C | API 609 | 04-SAMSS-035 | Low-pressure utility, cooling water, fire water |
| Check Valve | Automatic | Class 150 – 2500 | -29°C to 538°C | API 594, API 6D | 04-SAMSS-035 | Backflow prevention, pump discharge |
| Plug Valve | Quarter-turn | Class 150 – 600 | -29°C to 260°C | API 599 | 04-SAMSS-035 | On/off service, slurries, produced water |
All six valve types in Aramco projects reference 04-SAMSS-035. Ball valves (API 6D) are the default on/off isolation choice for NPS ½–24 hydrocarbon lines; gate valves (API 600/602) serve large-bore lines requiring full-bore flow and infrequent operation; globe valves (API 602) handle throttling and steam service; butterfly valves (API 609) are limited to Class 150 utility service. When sourced from a SAEP-347 stockist, all types require EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTCs with heat-number traceability.
Ball valves are the most widely specified isolation valves in Saudi Aramco projects. Their quarter-turn operation, minimal flow resistance, and reliable bubble-tight shutoff make them the default choice for hydrocarbon service on NPS ½ through NPS 24 lines.
Aramco's primary ball valve specification is 04-SAMSS-035 (for general service) and 04-SAMSS-048 (for trunnion-mounted large bore). For SAEP-347 stockist supply, four distinct material numbers cover the major ball valve configurations, segregated by size range, body material (steel vs non-ferrous), and port design (standard vs multiport).
Ball valves are the most widely specified isolation valve on Saudi Aramco projects, governed by 04-SAMSS-035 and 04-SAMSS-048. SAEP-347 Annex 4 defines four ball valve material numbers covering threaded/socket weld small bore (6000000240), steel body up to 2" (6000000246), non-ferrous body (6000000319), and multiport style (6000000320). Specify a ball valve for any on/off isolation service from NPS ½ to NPS 24 where bubble-tight shutoff is required.
Gate valves are used where full unobstructed bore is required and where the valve will remain either fully open or fully closed for extended periods. Unlike ball valves, gate valves are not suited to frequent cycling — the sliding wedge mechanism wears under repeated operation.
For Aramco projects, gate valves are typically specified on larger lines (NPS 4 and above) in pressure classes from 150 to 4500. The applicable standard depends on size and material: API 602 for compact steel gate valves up to NPS 4, API 600 for larger steel gate valves, and AWWA C500/C509 for cast iron utility gate valves.
Gate valves are specified for large-bore lines (NPS 4 and above) requiring full unobstructed bore and infrequent operation — they are not suited to frequent cycling. SAEP-347 Annex 4 covers four gate valve configurations: API 602 compact steel body ≤4" (6000000295), non-ferrous body ≤12" (6000000292), and cast/ductile iron (AWWA) in two size bands — ≤12" (6000000296) and ≥14" (6000000297). For high-pressure, high-temperature service above Class 600, specify steel body API 600 gate valves.
Globe valves are the preferred choice where flow must be regulated or throttled. The disc-and-seat design allows precise flow control and makes them ideal for steam tracing, pressure-reducing service, and bypass lines.
The primary limitation of globe valves is high pressure drop — the S-shaped flow path creates significantly more resistance than a ball or gate valve. This makes them unsuitable for main process lines where pressure drop must be minimized. Aramco specification: API 602 (compact, NPS ≤4) and 04-SAMSS-035.
Butterfly valves offer a compact, lightweight, cost-effective solution for large-bore, low-pressure service. In Aramco applications they are typically limited to ANSI Class 150 and are used in cooling water, fire water, potable water, and low-pressure utility gas systems.
The key limitation is shutoff — butterfly valves do not achieve the bubble-tight zero-leakage shutoff that ball or gate valves provide. They are not suitable for hydrocarbon service above Class 150 on Aramco projects. Aramco specification: API 609 and 04-SAMSS-035.
Globe valves (API 602, SAEP-347 numbers 6000000299–6000000302) are preferred where flow must be throttled — steam tracing, bypass lines, pressure-reducing service — but their S-shaped bore creates high pressure drop, making them unsuitable for main process lines. Butterfly valves (API 609, numbers 6000000255 and 6000000259) are restricted on Aramco projects to ANSI Class 150 utility service such as cooling water and fire water; they do not achieve bubble-tight shutoff and are not approved for hydrocarbon service above Class 150.
For Saudi Aramco projects, valve selection follows service type: ball valves for hydrocarbon on/off isolation (NPS ½–24, all pressure classes); gate valves for large-bore full-bore isolation (NPS 4+, Class 150–4500); globe valves for throttling and steam service; butterfly valves for Class 150 utility service only; check valves for pump discharge backflow prevention; plug valves for produced water and slurry service. All types must reference 04-SAMSS-035 and carry SAEP-347 Annex 4 material numbers with EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTCs when sourced from a stockist.
See also: check valves
See also: globe and plug valves
See also: pressure relief valves
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