Ballast Control

Marine ballast control valves are used in ballast systems for filling, draining, or controlled flooding of tanks and void spaces with seawater. Their operation affects vessel buoyancy, transverse and longitudinal trim, and procedures such as startup, cargo transfer, unloading, or launch and recovery of smaller craft from a parent vessel.

The Cla-Val 240M-3 is a hydraulically actuated ballast control valve intended for installation in locations with limited access, including submerged or hull-mounted positions. Actuation is performed through a remote selector valve, typically from a control panel or operator console, allowing the valve to open or close without local manual operation at the valve body.

Technical data indicate a piston-operated design with synthetic resilient sealing against a metal seat, O-rings for static sealing, and lip-type seals for dynamic sealing of the stem and piston. Materials are selected for seawater service and include bronze, Monel, synthetic elastomers, and protected ductile iron surfaces. The series is referenced in 3 in, 4 in, 6 in, 8 in, 10 in, 14 in, and 24 in sizes. Hydraulic operating medium is oil, and maximum cylinder pressure is 550 psig.

Valve selection should consider required filling or drainage flow rate, available hydraulic actuation pressure, installation geometry, seawater compatibility, shutoff tightness, and response to vibration or shock loading. The technical data sheet references testing and approvals to MIL-S-901C and MIL-STD-167; these should be reviewed against vessel class requirements and project-specific marine specifications.