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PUMPS, VALVES & ACTUATORS
SELF-CLEANING REDUCES CLOGGING
Self-cleaning metamorphic trim products stand to alleviate expensive control valve failures caused by erosion from processing debris laden products, says Karl Wonisch, Head of Europe Control Valves at IMI Critical Engineering
T
he petrochemical sector is losing significant sums annually to valve reliability issues in harsh environments. The introduction of self-cleaning components combining multi-stage labyrinth and cascade technology could prove a gamechanger in terms of plant safety, productivity, and profitability.
“For years, operators working in challenging conditions have struggled with minimum flow control and clogging due to particulate contamination, alongside poor rangeability,” explained Karl Wonisch. “These 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 petrochemical 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.”
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. The trim, which is custom-designed to fit existing valve bodies and actuators, also benefits from the gradual divided pressure
AN EZ SOLUTION FOR OLIVE PROCESSING A
Widethroat EZStrip Progressive Cavity Pump made by Fluid Motion Solutions (part of NOV Inc), is playing a vital role in the processing of olives for a major producer in Andalucia, Spain.
Designed to transfer highly viscous or bulky materials, the pump’s enlarged rectangular inlet (with a screw conveyor) assists the waste fruit into the pumping element as part of the olive oil production process – moving the material quickly, efficiently and reliably on its way to being recycled.
The positive displacement action of the pump benefits from not having to rely on any centrifugal force to generate pressure energy. This means that because there are no significant changes in velocity of the pumped material, a consistent flow is created as agitation and turbulence are greatly minimised.
For this type of highly viscous or bulky material such as fruit and vegetable waste slurries, Fluid Motion Solutions can modify the inlet with either large diameter augers or integral bridge breakers. The range is based on single, two, four, six and eight-stage pumps that can develop pressures up to 48 bar and capacities up to 215m³/h.
drops associated with cascade-style solutions, as well as reduced installation costs.
The 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 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. This resulted in unplanned downtime and annual production losses totalling £2 million. By implementing the EroSolve MMT, the high pressure drops, and small flow rates previously hampering performance could be mitigated. “Maximising asset production efficiency is a key priority across all industries,” Wonisch concluded. “This includes reducing the amount of maintenance required by 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.”
nov.com/industrial
IMI Critical Engineering
www.imi-critical.com
FEBRUARY 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL 23
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