VCI has developed a unique live loaded seating ball valve design to guarantee shutoff integrity at low temperatures (-40ºF), and low to variable pressures for combustible fuel applications. The “live loading” of the soft seat is accomplished by the installation of an elastomeric o-ring in a machined recess behind the seats. The natural material characteristics of the o-ring provides the energy required to energize the seat / ball interface under all pressure and temperature conditions compared to traditional designs, which utilize a conventional seating arrangement and are susceptible to premature failure under varying conditions, particularly at low (below 0°F) temperatures. The live loaded seating ball valve assures continuous full contact between seat and ball for both upstream & downstream seats and predictable, constant valve operating torques while eliminating the possibility of trapped dirt and debris. The VCI valves hold certifications with both CSA International and FM Global, and even after 100,000 cycles under pressure, performed “Bubble-Tight Shut-off “results for size ranges ¼” to 8”. This exceeds
the specifications of both CSA and FM Global.