MOGAS recently received
API-6D certification covering all MOGAS ball valves. This achievement gives MOGAS industry recognition that they manufacture quality products that meet API specifications. Although most customers may not require API-6D certification, they do desire API-6D standards to know that a third-party has reviewed manufacturing practices for compliance of specified requirements.
API-6D is the primary standard specification that defines the requirements for the design, manufacturing, assembly, testing and documentation of valves for application in pipeline and piping systems for the petroleum and natural gas industries. An API-6D monogram valve manufacturer must meet the strict testing and documentation requirements to ensure valve performance under designed operational pressure and temperature conditions.
How does API-6D differ from other compliant design standard?
“Generally, API-6D has far more stringent QMS (Quality Management Systems) requirements than other design standards,” says MOGAS Quality Assurance Manager, Imelda Hernandez. “For example, it says that calibration intervals for pressure gauges should be a maximum of three months until a recorded calibration history can be established, whereas other standards may state that calibration intervals should be defined.”
There are many aspects of API-6D compliant designs that are unique when compared to API-598 “Valve Inspection & Testing”. These include:
- Defining an unobstructed minimum bore clearance for full opening valve configurations. This requirement allows various designs to perform better in applications requiring pigging.
- Supplementary test options in addition to the mandatory hydrostatic testing requirements and acceptance criteria. These supplementary tests offer users valve requirements that are subjected to a higher level of scrutiny through additional and/or more stringent testing, such as: higher standards and long durations for hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, antistatic testing, torque/thrust functional testing, drive train strength testing, cavity relief testing, double block and bleed and double isolation, medium rust inhibitor injection, medium pH monitoring and more stringent design and manufacturing process control, as well as packaging requirements to reduce valve damage during transportation.
- More stringent restrictions on certification of inspection equipment, for example, shorter periods between calibrations, and reference gauging is not allowed.
- Valves designed to ASME B16.34 shall meet the min walls per ASME B16.34 while API 6D valve min wall can comply with BPVC Section VIII.
MOGAS Director of Manufacturing Engineering, Brian Hall, says, "Obtaining API-6D qualifies us to bid the sale with confidence...that our design will comply with the standard specification. The standard has the effect of driving all suppliers to a common, interchangeable design so that costs can be compared apples to apples. Material upgrades or add-on features will have to be clearly identified and the additional cost justified with performance history. Becoming API-6D certified is a significant achievement considering MOGAS is a premium manufacturer of application-specific severe service valves, and since we back our products with a performance guarantee."
Through continuous investment in quality systems such as API Q1, MOGAS will continue to design and manufacture the best performing severe service ball valves in the world.