8 Must-Know API Valve Standards for Engineers

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has established several standards that govern the design, manufacturing, and testing of valves used in various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation. Among these, several key standards stand out for their impact and widespread adoption.

API 600 - Steel Gate Valves - Flanged and Butt-welding Ends, Bolted and Pressure Seal Bonnets
API 600 specifies the requirements for design, materials, testing, inspection, and marking of steel gate valves used for isolation applications in the oil and gas industry. This standard covers valves with flanged or butt-welding ends, with bolted or pressure seal bonnets. Gate valves are commonly used in pipelines to provide a tight shut-off.

API 602 - Compact Steel Gate Valves - Flanged, Threaded, Welding, and Extended Body Ends
API 602 covers the requirements for compact steel gate valves used in refinery and other chemical process applications where small size and lightweight are desirable. These valves are typically used in applications with limited space or weight restrictions.

API 603 - Corrosion-Resistant, Bolted Bonnet Gate Valves - Flanged and Butt-welding Ends
API 603 specifies the requirements for corrosion-resistant gate valves with bolted bonnets, used in corrosive environments such as chemical plants and offshore platforms. These valves are designed to withstand the harsh conditions found in these applications.

API 593 - Ductile Iron Plug Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends
API 593 covers the design, materials, testing, inspection, and marking of ductile iron plug valves used in pipelines for isolation and control applications. These valves are known for their tight shut-off and ease of operation, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

API 609 - Butterfly Valves: Double Flanged, Lug- and Wafer-Type
API 609 specifies the requirements for design, materials, testing, inspection, and marking of butterfly valves used for isolation and control applications. These valves are known for their compact design and quick operation, making them suitable for applications where space is limited or rapid operation is required.

API 608 - Metal Ball Valves - Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends
API 608 covers the requirements for design, materials, testing, inspection, and marking of metal ball valves used in various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation. These valves are known for their reliable performance and tight shut-off, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.