Zero-Emission, Failsafe, Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Valve Actuator Systems

The oil and gas industry has evolved significantly, with a heightened focus on environmental protection and safety. An essential component to safely transferring oil and gas via pipeline is the zero-emission, failsafe emergency shutdown (ESD) valve actuator.

ESD valve actuator systems halt the flow of hazardous fluids or gases when abnormal operating conditions arise. This quick intervention is essential to prevent catastrophic failures, leaks, and explosions. Two main features define these systems: their "zero emission" capacity and "failsafe" functionality. The former ensures the actuator does not contribute harmful emissions to the environment, and the latter ensures that the system automatically reverts to a safe mode in case of a malfunction.

These systems incorporate a sealed design that prevents the escape of hazardous gases to achieve the zero-emissions objective. This design includes high-quality seals and components that leave no room for weak points where emissions might potentially escape. Additionally, many of the latest actuators have monitoring systems looking for possible leaks or system failures. The system can alarm or begin the necessary shutdown procedures if such an issue arises.

Failsafe mechanisms are critically important. A spring return mechanism is one of the primary ways this is achieved. Suppose there's a power loss or a system malfunction. In that case, the spring propels the valve to its designated safe position, which could be either fully open or fully closed, based on the specific application. Additionally, some actuators are designed with secondary power sources, like batteries or reserves of compressed gas, ensuring they remain operational even when the primary power source is compromised. These actuators can promptly recognize operational irregularities and anomalies when coupled with intelligent control systems. Once detected, the system, adhering to predefined parameters, can call on whether to shut down the valve, sound alarms, or take other necessary protective measures.

For several reasons, the introduction and widespread adoption of these advanced ESD valve actuator systems are crucial for pipeline distribution networks. Environmentally, they help mitigate leaks in midstream pipelines, which, if unchecked, could lead to substantial ecological damage, especially if hazardous gases or liquids find their way into the ground or water sources. Another environmental benefit is in the fight against climate change. Methane, frequently found in natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas. By guaranteeing zero emissions, these actuators significantly reduce the release of methane into our atmosphere.

From a safety perspective, the fast-acting nature of ESD actuators ensures that the flow of potentially flammable substances can be quickly shut down, minimizing the risk of fires or explosions. 

Furthermore, with tightening regulations across numerous jurisdictions regarding emissions and safety standards in the oil and gas sector, these zero-emission, failsafe ESD valve actuators have become the gold standard, assisting companies in complying with the stringent rules, not only preventing significant financial penalties but also circumvents potential operational halts.

As the oil and gas industry marches forward, addressing ever-present environmental and safety challenges, the zero-emission failsafe ESD valve actuator systems protect the environment and pipeline operators from the consequences of failures, ensuring public and environmental security and demonstrating a commitment to responsible and sustainable operations.

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

"Intrusive" and "Non-Intrusive" Industrial Electric Actuators

Industrial electric actuators play a pivotal role in automating various industrial processes. These actuators convert electrical energy into mechanical motion to control or move machinery components such as valves and dampers. Regarding "intrusive" and "non-intrusive" in industrial electric actuators, the terms typically address the design and mode of operation, particularly the setup, monitoring, and control aspects. 

Here's a detailed breakdown of the differences:

Design & Configuration:

Intrusive Actuators: These actuators generally require users to open or intrude into the actuator casing or cover for setup, adjustment, or monitoring, meaning the internal components can be exposed to external environments, potentially compromising the actuator's integrity or operation.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: These actuators allow setup, adjustments, and monitoring without physically intruding or opening the actuator's casing, ensuring the internal components remain sealed and protected from external contaminants or potential damage.

Operation & Monitoring:

Intrusive Actuators: Adjustments or calibration typically require direct interaction with internal components, which can be time-consuming and may expose the system to errors or contamination.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: They often come with user interfaces, like LCD touchscreens or push buttons on the exterior, allowing operators to perform setup, calibration, or monitoring without exposing the internal components. Some might even have remote interfaces, facilitating monitoring and control from a distance.

Safety & Maintenance:

Intrusive Actuators: The need to open the actuator for adjustments or monitoring can introduce safety risks, mainly if the actuator is operating in environments with hazardous gases, liquids, or materials. Additionally, maintenance can be more challenging as exposing the internals might allow contaminants to compromise the system.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: These actuators provide a safer operation, especially in hazardous environments, as there's no need to open the casing. Their design also reduces maintenance challenges and improves the actuator's longevity.

Applications:

Intrusive Actuators: Might be used in applications where regular adjustments aren't required or in environments where exposure risks are minimal.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: Ideal for industries where the actuator's environment has contaminants or hazardous materials or where frequent adjustments or monitoring is essential without compromising safety.

Cost:

Intrusive Actuators: They might be less expensive initially because they have a more straightforward design without the external interface components. However, potential increased maintenance costs or reduced longevity might offset the initial savings.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: While they might have a higher initial cost due to their advanced design and user interfaces, they can result in savings in the long run due to reduced maintenance needs and extended operational life.

In summary, the primary distinction between intrusive and non-intrusive industrial electric actuators lies in their design and interaction mode. While intrusive actuators require direct access to internal components for setup and monitoring, non-intrusive variants enable these operations without opening the actuator casing and offering increased safety and operational advantages.

Energy-West Controls

https://energy-west.com

801-262-4477

Capitalizing on Hidden Assets: The Significant Energy Potential in Waste Heat with Armstrong International Circular Thermal℠

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, maintaining a constant quantity in a system. When energy is utilized, often through conversion, it degrades into a lower quality form. This begs the question: how does degraded yet undestroyed energy exit an industrial plant?

Waste heat, while being of lower quality, retains a significant quantity of energy. Studies indicate that 50 to 80% of primary energy used in light industries becomes waste heat at medium or low temperatures when leaving the plant. Thus, up to 80% of this energy is recyclable.

By incorporating Armstrong International's  Circular Thermal℠ model into industrial processes, we can recapture and reuse this waste energy.

For more information about Armstrong International products, and their Circular Thermal℠ technology, contact Energy West Controls. Call 800-533-4477 or visit https://energy-west.com.

Types of Industrial and Commercial Check Valves

Silent Check Valves:

Before fluid flow reversal occurs, silent check valves close, eliminating the water hammer's shock. Their name, 'silent,' comes from their ability to close smoothly and quietly compared to other check valves. High-pressure and high-temperature systems commonly use these valves, like those in commercial buildings' water systems where a water hammer could pose a problem.

Spring Loaded Check Valves:

A spring force closes the disc in spring-loaded check valves. The fluid's forward pressure opens the valve, and the spring closes the valve as soon as the fluid flow ceases. This rapid response to stopping the flow is instrumental in quick shutoff applications.

Poppet Check Valves:

A poppet or plug-in poppet check valve seals a hole to stop backflow. The poppet pushes away from the port when forward flow happens, allowing fluid to pass. The poppet then blocks the hole when the flow ceases. This design often needs less force to open than other check valves, making it suitable for low-pressure applications.

Inline Check Valves:

Inline check valves, being two-port valves, have two openings in the body - one for fluid entry and another for fluid exit. The valve opens as the fluid flows in the forward direction and closes when the fluid tries to flow in the opposite direction. These valves find use in various applications, such as pump and compressor discharge, header lines, and steam lines. You can easily install them as they fit into existing pipelines with minimal modification.

Remember that each valve's specifics can differ based on the manufacturer, materials used, and intended application. Therefore, always consult with an expert when selecting and installing a check valve.

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

Process Slurry Knife Gate Control Valves

Applications for process slurry knife-gate control valves are slurry or highly abrasive and viscous fluids in various industries. The valve features a sharp, flat gate that efficiently cuts through the solid particles and sludge in the slurry, thus ensuring effective isolation and control of the flow. This valve is highly durable, reliable, and designed to withstand harsh conditions and frequent wear and tear.

Examples of industries that require process slurry knife-gate control valves are mining, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper, power generation, and chemical processing, where there is a need to handle abrasive and corrosive slurries. These valves install on pipelines to regulate or halt slurry flow and other challenging fluids, preventing leakage and ensuring a safe, efficient, and reliable operation.

The Process Slurry Knife Gate Control Valve outperforms other types of valves for slurry applications due to several key factors:

1. Robust and Durable Design: The knife gate valve uses wear-resistant materials like stainless steel to withstand erosive and corrosive slurries. This results in a longer service life and reduced maintenance costs compared to other valves.
2. Efficient Flow Control: The sharp-edged, flat gate effectively slices through the slurry, providing a tight seal when closed, preventing leakage, and ensuring accurate flow control, essential for the efficient operation of various industrial processes.
3. Minimal Pressure Drop: Unlike other valves, the Process Slurry Knife Gate Control Valve has a full-bore design, which minimizes the pressure drop across the valve, leading to higher energy efficiency and lower operating costs in the long run.
4. Self-Cleaning Mechanism: The shearing action of the gate against the valve seat helps to dislodge and remove any debris or solid particles trapped within the valve. This self-cleaning mechanism reduces the chances of blockages and ensures a consistent slurry flow through the system.
5. Versatility: The process slurry knife-gate control valve can be customized to handle a wide range of pressures, temperatures, and slurry compositions, making it suitable for various industrial applications.

Slurry knife-gate control valves offer superior performance and durability compared to other valves in slurry applications. Its unique design features make it the ideal choice for industries that deal with abrasive and viscous fluids, ensuring a safe, efficient, and reliable operation.

Slurry Flo Valve Corporation is a company that specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality control valves for handling abrasive and viscous fluids, such as slurry.

Slurry Flo's innovative patented trim design functions as a variable orifice, focusing the flow within the pipe. This design safeguards the valve body, which contains the pressure, and maintains the integrity of the downstream piping. Slurry Flo valves offer exceptional durability, surpassing the performance of any other valve you've previously utilized. Slurry Flo Corporation is committed to providing tailored solutions and unparalleled customer service to meet the unique needs of its clients.

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

The Role of Boiler Drum Level Instrumentation and Controls

Boiler drum level instrumentation and controls play a crucial role in the power generation and process control industries, ensuring steam-generating boilers' safe and efficient operation. These instruments and controls primarily manage the water level within the boiler drum, maintaining it within a specific range to ensure the boiler operates effectively and safely. Their critical functions break down as follows:

1. Safety: A boiler's primary objective is to produce steam, which requires a precise water and heat balance. If the water level in the boiler drum is too low, the boiler tubes could overheat and cause a failure or even a catastrophic explosion. Conversely, suppose the water level is too high. In that case, excessive water may be carried over into the steam system, causing damage to downstream equipment and reducing the overall efficiency of the power generation process.
2. Efficiency: Maintaining the optimal water level in the boiler drum ensures efficient heat transfer, which directly affects the overall efficiency of the power generation process. The steam produced in the boiler drives turbines and other equipment, so maximizing its efficiency is essential for minimizing fuel consumption and reducing emissions.
3. Monitoring and control: Boiler drum level instrumentation and controls continuously monitor the water level, allowing for real-time adjustments. They typically include level sensors (such as float switches, conductivity probes, or radar transmitters), which send signals to a control system. This control system can be a dedicated controller, a distributed control system (DCS), or a programmable logic controller (PLC), which processes the signals and adjusts the feedwater flow into the boiler drum to maintain the desired water level.
4. Alarm and trip functions: The instrumentation and controls also provide alarm and trip functions to notify operators of abnormal conditions or to shut down the boiler if necessary. These safety features protect personnel, equipment, and the environment from potential damage caused by boiler malfunctions or failures.
5. Regulatory compliance: Boiler drum level instrumentation and controls are subject to stringent regulations and standards in many jurisdictions. Properly functioning instrumentation and controls are necessary for ensuring compliance with these regulations, which aim to protect human life, property, and the environment.

Boiler drum level instrumentation and controls are critical in the power generation and process control industries because they ensure steam-generating boilers' safe, efficient, and compliant operation. By maintaining the optimal water level in the boiler drum, they help to prevent accidents, optimize power generation efficiency, and adhere to regulatory requirements.

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

Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers (GPHEs) and Welded Plate Heat Exchangers (WPHEs)

Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers (GPHEs) and Welded Plate Heat Exchangers (WPHEs) are types of plate heat exchangers widely used across various industries for their efficiency and versatility. Their primary function is to transfer heat between two fluids without allowing the fluids to mix.

Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers (GPHEs): GPHEs consist of thin, corrugated metal plates with gaskets around the edges. The plates are arranged in a stacked configuration and held together by a frame. The gaskets seal the plates, preventing fluid leakage and directing the flow of the fluids between alternate plates. The corrugated pattern of the plates increases the surface area and enhances the turbulence, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency. GPHEs disassemble easily for cleaning, maintenance, or expansion.

Welded Plate Heat Exchangers (WPHEs): WPHEs are similar in design to GPHEs, but instead of using gaskets, the plates are welded together, eliminating the need for gaskets and the associated maintenance issues. WPHEs are typically more compact than GPHEs, as they can be built with thinner plates and smaller gaps between them.

There are many industrial and commercial applications for GPHEs and WPHEs however, the two have some performance differences, which can impact their suitability for various applications.

GPHEs:

1. Efficiency: GPHEs offer high thermal efficiency and are suitable for applications with moderate temperature and pressure requirements.
2. Maintenance: GPHEs have gasket seals that require periodic maintenance and replacement, making them less suitable for applications with aggressive media or high temperatures.
3. Flexibility: GPHEs can be easily expanded or reconfigured by adding or removing plates, allowing adaptability to change process conditions.
4. Cost: Initial costs for GPHEs are typically lower, but maintenance and downtime costs can be higher due to the need for gasket replacement.

WPHEs:

1. Efficiency: WPHEs provide excellent thermal efficiency and are designed for high-pressure and high-temperature applications, making them suitable for harsh operating conditions.
2. Maintenance: WPHEs have welded plate connections, which eliminate the need for gaskets, resulting in lower maintenance requirements and longer service life.
3. Flexibility: WPHEs have a fixed plate configuration, meaning they cannot be easily expanded or reconfigured like GPHEs. However, their robust design allows higher operating limits and a more compact footprint.
4. Cost: Initial costs for WPHEs are typically higher, but they offer lower maintenance and downtime costs due to their welded construction and elimination of gaskets.

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

The Importance of Managing Waste Heat in Steam and Hot Water Systems

Steam production and hot water systems are crucial in industrial and commercial heating and cooling systems.

Industrial heating and cooling systems are critical in many manufacturing and production processes. These systems control the temperature and maintain a specific environment in which products are produced, stored, or processed. However, these systems emit a significant amount of heat released into the atmosphere as waste heat.

Steam production is used in various industries to provide heat and power, including food and beverage processing, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Steam is generated by boiling water, typically using boilers that burn fuel such as natural gas, propane, or oil. The steam is then distributed throughout the facility using pipes, which can be used for heating, cleaning, or driving turbines to generate electricity.

The use of hot water systems is similar, but instead of steam, hot water provides heat. These systems are standard in hospitals, hotels, and other facilities that require a constant hot water supply. Boilers generate the hot water and circulate it through pipes, radiators, heat exchangers, or other heating elements.

Industrial heating and cooling systems generate significant amounts of wasted or unused heat. There are measures to mitigate the causes of waste heat in industrial heating and cooling systems and reduce its release. One solution is to recover the wasted heat and use it for other purposes, such as heating or cooling nearby buildings or other industrial processes. Another solution is to improve the heating and cooling system's efficiency, reducing the energy required to maintain the desired temperature through more efficient heating and cooling systems, insulation, and enhanced equipment design. Also, by connecting your heating and cooling systems, you recover wasted heat and put it back into your industrial process. 

Armstrong's Circular Thermal℠ significantly improves the thermal efficiency of your facilities. It reduces your need for primary energy by capturing and recirculating waste heat within your plant and toward your production. It significantly impacts your site's thermal decarbonization roadmap by reducing — and sometimes eliminating — the required purchase of renewable energy.

Learn more about Armstrong's Circular Thermal℠ here. To discuss more about Armstrong's approach to steam and hot water thermal efficiency in the Rocky Mountain states, contact Energy-West Controls. Call them at 800-533-4477 or visit https://energy-west.com.

Valve Automation

Valve automation refers to the use of electromechanical or pneumatic devices to control the opening and closing of valves in an industrial process. The goal of valve automation is to optimize the control of fluid flow in a system, which can involve adjusting the flow rate, pressure, temperature, or other process variables.

Valve automation can be used in a variety of industries, including chemical processing, oil and gas, water treatment, and power generation. There are many different types of valves that can be automated, including ball valves, butterfly valves, and gate valves, among others. These valves can be controlled manually or automatically using a variety of methods, including electrical signals, pneumatic signals, or hydraulic signals.

In an automated system, the valves are typically controlled by a central control system, which may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS). The control system receives input from sensors in the process and sends output signals to the valve actuators to adjust the valve positions as needed. The control system may also include human-machine interfaces (HMIs) or other types of operator interfaces that allow the process to be monitored and controlled by a human operator.

Valve automation can provide a number of benefits in an industrial process, including improved safety, efficiency, and accuracy. By automating the control of valves, it is possible to optimize the flow of fluids in a system to meet the desired process conditions, which can help to reduce waste, save energy, and improve product quality. Additionally, automated valve control can help to prevent human error and improve the overall reliability of the process.

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