PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING
S
elf-cleaning metamorphic trim products stand to alleviate expensive control valve failures caused by erosion from processing
debris laden products, says an industry expert.
Te oil and gas sector is losing significant sums annually to valve reliability issues in harsh environments. Te introduction of self-cleaning components combining multi-stage labyrinth and cascade technology could prove a gamechanger in terms of plant safety, productivity, and profitability, says Karl Wonisch at IMI Critical Engineering. “For years, operators working in challenging conditions have struggled with minimum flow control and clogging due to particulate contamination, alongside poor rangeability,” explains Wonisch. “Tese concerns are many and varied, but the maintenance and repair work usually required to tackle them can result in ongoing disruption and snowballing downtime costs for oil and gas sector stakeholders. “Clearly, the growing costs and
frequent interruptions associated with valve shutdowns present an unacceptable situation for plant operators. Consequently, new innovations are required that solve the issue of clogging and seizing due to dirty contaminants at the source.”
A NEW APPROACH IMI Critical Engineering has developed EroSolve Metamorphic Trim (MMT), which uses a self-cleaning design and velocity control methodology throughout the whole fluid passage, reducing the risk of damage and clogging. Te trim, which is custom- designed to fit existing valve bodies and actuators, also benefits from the gradual divided pressure drops associated with cascade- style solutions, as well as reduced installation costs.
Te effectiveness of
the EroSolve MMT has already been demonstrated following its installation downstream of the glycol dehydration contactor of a
multinational oil and gas producer in the
34
www.engineerlive.com
EroSolve MMT uses a self-cleaning design to reduce downtime
V PREVENTING
North Sea. With the application proving challenging due to high pressure drops, very low flow, solid particles and sludges in the fluid, material was regularly collecting at the bottom of the contactor, impeding passage through the control valve.
Combined with
the occurrence of slugs following a trip of the gas compression
system, the valve needed cleaning on a regular basis. Tis resulted in unplanned downtime and annual
ALVE FAILURES
Self-cleaning technology is key to addressing control valve failure
production losses totalling £2 million. However, by implementing the EroSolve MMT, the high pressure drops, and small flow rates previously hampering performance could be mitigated.
MAXIMISING EFFICIENCY “Maximising asset production efficiency is a key priority across all industries,” Wonisch concludes. “Tis includes reducing the amount of maintenance required on site assets such as valves, especially in severe applications. EroSolve MMT has already proven itself in this arena, saving organisations millions in total cost of ownership costs by reducing clogging and cavitation concerns.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
