PUMPS, VALVES & ACTUATORS RELIABILITY PROMOTES SAFETY


Ball valves and switch boxes from Bürkert are ensuring health and safety standards are met at a chemical manufacturing plant


C


hemical manufacturing, by its very nature, involves the use of potentially hazardous fluids. It is therefore


imperative that chemical manufacturers choose process equipment that offers the utmost reliability to promote efficiency and safety. This was the approach taken when a major UK chemicals manufacturer decided to update one of its plants in Eastern England, where Bürkert valves and switch boxes were fitted to enhance reliability and safety. Control valves are a vital component and


usually consist of the valve body, an actuator and a positioner. Valves used in the chemical industry must reach exacting safety and quality standards to ensure they are ready to take on substances that are potentially hazardous. To one chemical manufacturer, it was clear


that the valves at one of its facilities had reached the end of their service life. The equipment was now outdated, with only basic


safety systems in place to prevent solvents travelling into the incorrect tank. This was compromising confidence in the chemical delivery system and overall efficiency at the plant, especially as it was processing potentially flammable and volatile substances. Therefore, plant operators decided to completely overhaul the facility, to ensure that rigorous chemical industry health and safety measures were adhered to. The plant approached Process Instrument


Sales to source new equipment for the overhaul. A priority was the provision of new control valves. To ensure the utmost reliability and safety, Process Instruments recommended two Bürkert solutions. Bürkert’s Type 2651 flanged ball valves were


selected to replace the outdated valves. Produced from stainless-steel, the Type 2651 offers a high resistance to chemicals, which unlocks an extended service life. Suitable for


Produced from stainless-steel, the Type 2651 offers an innately high resistance to chemicals, which unlocks an extended service life


shut-off or distributing medium flows, a mechanical interface allows easy connection of pneumatic or electrical rotary actuators. All valves and actuators now fitted at the plant are SIL Safety certified. To ensure the correct opening and


closing of the valves, Bürkert Type 1061 ATEX switch boxes with integral pilot solenoids were fitted. Suitable for use in potentially explosive application areas, the Type 1061 combines the function of a position feedback and a solenoid valve in one box. Multiple versions are available and an adjustable bracket allows it to be used with actuators of various sizes. Once the central system was fitted by


Lark Technology, any risk of leakage and spillage had been successfully minimised. Compliancy with all the stringent health and safety standards and insurance requirements was also achieved. Ultimately, plant operators now had total reassurance that the best safety applications were now in place for the delivery system of volatile and flammable substances at the facility. This ensured increased efficiency and a reduced environmental risk. A plant operator from the UK chemical


manufacturer said: “The total replacement and modernisation of our plant valves, solenoids and actuators has given us the reassurance that we now have the best safety applications in place. The supply of these high-quality Bürkert valves from Process Instrument Sales has been second to none with absolute attention to detail every step of the way.”


Bürkert Fluid Control Systems www.burkert.co.uk


JUNE 2021 | PROCESS & CONTROL 27


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