The Energy West Controls Blog
Experts in Energy Services, Process Valves & Automation, Fluid Sealing and Boiler Level Instruments Energy West Controls is a customer focused and employee driven organization. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best possible service while empowering our people to excel personally and professionally. We commit to positively strive for growth as we work to dominate the markets where we do business. Energy-west.com | 801-262-4477.
The Importance of Managing Waste Heat in Steam and Hot Water Systems
Valve Automation
For more information, contact:
Energy West, Inc.
1955 West Industrial Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 801-262-4477
Fax: 801-261-0862
Web: https://energy-west.com
Zero Emission, Emergency Shutdown Valve Actuators
Operators face problems and challenges with API emergency shutdown valves in remote locations where conventional energy sources are unavailable for automation. It is critical for the pipeline's safe operation that such valves can shut down the line when anomalies in the pressure of the gas passing through the pipe occur.
Valves usually are left open. If the line pressure drops or spikes, the system would use stored pressurized hydraulic fluid to close the valve as an emergency shutdown. These old antiquated systems presented several issues that made these highly critical valves inefficient. The main problem was that the system would not hold the valves open for more than two to three days due to internal leakage of the hydraulic system. These actuators would start to drift and prematurely close the valve, requiring the operators to physically go to these remote locations every two days to recharge the system and fully open the valve again. These valves mustn't suddenly close during regular operation and disrupt the flow throughout these midstream pipeline distribution networks.
Cowan Dynamics worked with an operator to review the requirements and recommend a superior design.
Here is a list of the challenges.
- This application presents a lack of conventional energy sources due to these valves' remote location.
- High torque and high thrust requirements make other power sources, such as solar power, unviable.
- The agricultural setting mandated a zero fugitive emissive solution.
- The operators required a drop-in retrofit, adding an extra layer of complexity to the challenge as these valves were underground and not readily accessible.
Cowan developed a solution named the ZE-ESD module. The solution consisted of a hydraulic accumulator, a 3000 psi rated actuator from Cowan's series MLA specially designed hydraulic manifold complete with a reservoir, a leakage compensating small accumulator, and a hand pump that serves as a power source to pressurize the accumulator and actuate the valve. The hydraulic circuit design significantly reduces pressure drops in the system due to thermal expansion or leakage throughout hydraulic components.
Cowan's ZE-ESD system proved a great success. The unique design of the hydraulic circuit far exceeded the original seven-day target. After 12 days of testing, the system only experienced a drop in the main pressure of three percent. After a month of installing the system, the customer advised that the valve needed recharging just once.
Another issue is environmental compliance. Environmental agencies establish stringent emission standards, often imposing heavy fines on those in violation. A large part of these fugitive emissions stems from gas-powered actuators' exhaust. As a result of these economic and environmental implications, Cowan Dynamics and Energy West Controls are committed to helping operators tighten their grip on fugitive emissions. Engineered to comply with API and ISO standards, Cowan's industry-leading range of zero-emission hydraulic modules for quarter-turn and linear valves are certified for maximum compliance with minimum environmental impact.
For more information, contact:
Energy West, Inc.
1955 West Industrial Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 801-262-4477
Fax: 801-261-0862
Web: https://energy-west.com
Detailed Instructions for Setting Position Limits on the Limitorque L120 Electric Actuator
Industrial Ball and Butterfly Valves
A-T Controls Full Product Line Includes:
- High Performance Butterfly Valves
- Resilient Seated Butterfly Valves
- Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves
- Pig Valve Dual Valve
- Isolation Valve Assemblies
- Cryogenic Ball Valves
- Lined Ball Valves
- Tank Bottom Valves
- Electric Actuators
- Spring Return Electric Actuators
- Fail Safe Electric Actuators
- Heavy Duty Actuators
- Pneumatic Scotch Yoke Actuators
- Pneumatic Rack & Pinion Actuators
- 180º Pneumatic Actuators
- Stainless Steel Pneumatic Actuators
- Declutchable Gear Operators
- Gear Operators
- Limit Switches
- Solenoids
- Positioners
Dependable and Accurate Flow Measurement with Armstrong VERIS Verabar®
VERIS Verabar® Benefits
- Superior Signal Stability and Greater Resistance to Clogging
- Long-Term Accuracy You Can Trust
- Data to Back Up Accuracy Claims
- Quality Assurance
Fully Lined Valves Specially Designed for Use in Ultra Pure and Corrosive Industrial Environments
A Powerful Combination of Products and Experience to Assist with Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization
- Power Generation
- Metals
- Paper
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- Institutional Facilities (Universities, Government, Hospitals, Military)
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The Jerguson Magnicator II Magnetic Level Gage for Liquids and Gases
- Where code allows, they are an ideal alternative to sight glasses, providing visibility, reduced maintenance, and eliminating the leak paths associated with sealing glass.
- Floats feature patented annular ring magnets for strength and smooth autogenous welds that do not interfere with float motion.
- Standard Schedule 40 chamber construction rated 2200 PSI at 100°F; Schedule 80 and Schedule 160 chambers available for higher pressures.
- Complies with ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 standards.
- Shock- and vibration-resistant stainless steel flag indicators have their own ceramic magnets plus dual rotation points.
- Now available with 1.5" (38.1mm) Wide Flag stainless steel indicator, for extreme shock- and vibration-resistance.
- Optional Flash-proof model available for use with boiling fluids and flashing vapors.
- NightStar LED illuminators for 24-hour visibility.
SlurryFlo Control Valves for Abrasive and Erosive Slurries
Industrial Electric Valve Actuators
- Electricity is generally inexpensive, easy to handle, and readily accessible at most industrial facilities.
- Electric actuators often have a cheaper capital cost per equivalent torque/thrust output unit.
- They are also better for the environment and safer to use.
- Electric actuators may provide greater positioning precision for control or modulating valve duties and advanced process monitoring, data recording, and information feedback.
- Electric actuators include all necessary control functions, resulting in fewer capital costs.
- By providing distributed control, the electric actuator's historically high wire cost is reduced - through efficient and uncomplicated control logic wiring integrated into client SCADA or DCS systems.
- As torque and thrust needs grow, electric actuators weigh less and have smaller footprints than pneumatic actuators.
- Electronic actuators may provide very high output thrust and torque values when combined with external gears.
- With few exceptions, electric actuators cannot guarantee a fail-safe stroke. Nonetheless, they will "fail in place". Fail-safe stroke refers to an actuator's capacity to move a valve to a predetermined safe position when power is lost.
- Electric actuators are more complex than other types of actuators. Electronic technology also demands constant upgrading to keep up with component changes and advancements.
- Electric actuators are less cost-effective than pneumatic and hydraulic actuators and have operating speed limitations beyond a specified size/torque range.
- Electric actuators need more stringent certifications and design characteristics to be safe for use in hazardous areas where explosive process material may be present.