SAMSON Type 3244 Three-Way Control Valve

Overview

The SAMSON Type 3244 is a three-way globe control valve that can be configured either to mix two process streams into one or to divide one stream into two. It belongs to the SAMSON Series 240 family and shares its modular design, so the same actuators, positioners, limit switches and solenoid valves used on two-way Series 240 valves can be fitted. The SAMSON Type 3244 is made in DIN and ANSI versions from DN 15 to 150 (NPS 1/2 to 6), in pressure ratings PN 10 to 40 and Class 150 and 300, and covers temperatures from −196 to +550 °C with the appropriate bonnet extension. Combined with a Type 3271 actuator it is called the Type 3244-1; with a Type 3277 actuator for integral positioner attachment it becomes the Type 3244-7.

Seven Star LLC supplies the SAMSON Type 3244 as complete control valve assemblies and as spare trim and actuator parts to EPC contractors, HVAC and utility engineers and plant maintenance teams in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC. We offer engineering support in Muscat for sizing, material selection and accessory configuration.

Operating Principle

In a mixing configuration of the SAMSON Type 3244, the two media enter at ports A and B and leave together through port AB. A double plug moves between two seats, so as the flow area towards one inlet opens, the flow area of the other closes, and the ratio of A to B in the outlet follows the valve travel. In a diverting configuration, the medium enters at port AB and the partial flows leave at ports A and B. For DN 15 to 25 the mixing and diverting designs are identical; from DN 32 the plug arrangement differs for each service. The linear characteristic and a rangeability of 50:1 up to DN 50 and 30:1 from DN 65 to 150 give stable control over a wide operating range.

As general engineering background, three-way valves are the classic solution for temperature control loops where a constant flow must be kept through a pump or heat exchanger while the proportion through a bypass varies. The SAMSON Type 3244 fail-safe position is set by the spring arrangement in the actuator. With actuator stem extends, port B in mixing valves and port A in diverting valves closes when supply air fails; with actuator stem retracts the opposite port closes. Engineers can therefore select the safe direction, for example full flow to the cooler, on loss of air.

Engineering Design of the SAMSON Type 3244

The SAMSON Type 3244 body is available in cast iron EN-GJL-250 (DIN only), cast steel 1.0619 or A216 WCC, and cast stainless steel 1.4408 or A351 CF8M, with all DIN EN 1092 flange types or ANSI RF flanges. Seats and plugs are made of 1.4006 or 1.4404 (A182 F6a or F316L) with a metal seal and leakage class I to DIN EN 60534-4 and ANSI FCI 70-2; Stellite facing and solid Stellite plugs up to DN 100 are available for erosive service. The standard undivided bonnet uses a spring-loaded PTFE V-ring packing with carbon and graphite body gaskets, and adjustable packing is optional. Special materials for seawater, such as 1.4538 and duplex 1.4470, can be requested.

The standard version covers −10 to +220 °C. An insulating section or a metal bellows seal in 1.4571 extends the range up to 450 °C for ANSI cast stainless bodies, and long versions reach −196 °C for cryogenic service. A heating jacket, an additional handwheel, a Type 3273 hand-operated actuator (Type 3244-3) and an electric version (Type 3244-2) are listed as further versions. Rated travel is 15 mm up to DN 80 and 30 mm for DN 100 to 150, with actuator areas from 120 to 750 cm².

Key Features

Key features of the SAMSON Type 3244 from SAMSON data sheet T 8026 are:

• Mixing or diverting service in one valve family, DN 15 to 150 and NPS 1/2 to 6.
• Pressure ratings PN 10, 16, 25 and 40 or Class 150 and 300.
• Body materials in cast iron, cast steel and cast stainless steel.
• Linear characteristic with rangeability of 50:1 (up to DN 50) or 30:1 (DN 65 to 150).
• Metal seat-plug seal with leakage class I, and optional Stellite facing.
• Insulating section or bellows seal for high-temperature, cryogenic or tight-stem-sealing duties.
• Type 3271 or Type 3277 pneumatic actuator with selectable fail-safe action.
• Accessories to DIN EN 60534-6-1 and NAMUR, plus optional RFID tag to DIN SPEC 91406.

Industrial Applications

The SAMSON Type 3244 is widely used for temperature control of heat transfer oil, hot water and chilled water circuits, where the valve mixes supply and return or diverts flow around a heat exchanger. Typical uses include jacket cooling of reactors, lube oil and seal oil coolers on compressors and turbines, process heaters, condensate and boiler feed systems, and blending of two liquid streams in chemical plants. With a bellows seal the SAMSON Type 3244 is also suited to thermal oil and hazardous media where stem emissions must be kept to a minimum.

In Oman and the GCC, the SAMSON Type 3244 appears in district cooling plants and large building central plants, gas processing facilities, refinery utilities, petrochemical and fertiliser plants in Sohar and Sur, and power and desalination stations. Seawater-resistant material options are relevant for coastal cooling systems. Seven Star LLC supplies the SAMSON Type 3244 configured to the process data you provide, together with positioners, limit switches and solenoid valves for complete control valve assemblies.

Technical Specifications

The SAMSON Type 3244 data below summarise SAMSON data sheet T 8026 EN (edition March 2023); flow coefficients and permissible differential pressures for each actuator are in the data sheet.

How to Order

To request a quotation for the SAMSON Type 3244, send Seven Star LLC the service (mixing or diverting), medium, flow rates, pressures, temperatures, nominal size, pressure rating, body material, fail-safe action and accessories needed. The SAMSON data sheet T 8026 is available as a download on this page. Seven Star LLC supplies SAMSON control valves in Oman and the GCC with engineering support in Muscat. Related products include the SAMSON Type 3241 Globe Control Valve, the SAMSON Type 3251 Globe Control Valve and the Samson 3730-3 Electropneumatic Smart Positioner.