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Valve Automation NEW

The document discusses valve automation, including an overview of valves, actuators, and common types. It describes what valves and actuators are, why valves require automation, and considerations for selecting valves and actuators based on factors like operating environment, power requirements, speed needs, and fail position. Common actuator types are also outlined, such as rotary, linear piston, and diaphragm actuators.

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Nyoman Raka
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65 views24 pages

Valve Automation NEW

The document discusses valve automation, including an overview of valves, actuators, and common types. It describes what valves and actuators are, why valves require automation, and considerations for selecting valves and actuators based on factors like operating environment, power requirements, speed needs, and fail position. Common actuator types are also outlined, such as rotary, linear piston, and diaphragm actuators.

Uploaded by

Nyoman Raka
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Valve Automation

Index

 Introduction
 Valves
– What is a Valve?
– Valve “Working Element” or “Element”
– Common Valve Types
– Valve Selection Considerations
– Valve Torques & Thrusts
 Actuators
– What is a Valve Actuator?
– Why Automate a Valve?
– Actuator Selection Considerations
– Double-Acting Actuators
– Spring-Return Actuators
Index

 Actuators - continued
– Rack & Pinion Actuators
– Scotch-Yoke Actuators
– Rotary Vane Actuators
– Helical Spline Actuators
– Electric Actuators
– Rotary Actuators Available from Emerson
– Linear Piston (Cylinder) Actuators
– Linear Diaphragm Actuators
– Linear Actuators Available from Emerson
Introduction

In the course, we will be introduced to


the basics of valve and actuator design.

We will review why valves require


automation and the considerations
required during actuator selection.
What is a Valve?
A valve is a flow interrupting mechanical device, utilizing a body or housing and
having a working element. It has at least one inlet and outlet and is intended to
shut off or control the flow of a given media.

Working Element (Gate) Body/Housing

Inlet Media Outlet

A Typical Gate Valve


Valve “Working Element” or “Element”
The working element or element of a valve is the component which acts directly in
the flow, to control the flow of the media.

Working Element (Ball) Working Element (Gate)


Common Valve Types
 Rotary (part-turn or multi-turn)
– Ball valves
– Plug valves
– Choke valves
– Butterfly valves

 Linear
– Gate valves
 Slab gate (one piece) valves
 Split & flexible wedge valves
 Solid wedge valves
 Parallel disc valves
 Knife gate valves
– Globe valves
– Choke valves
– Rising Stem Ball valves
Valve Selection Considerations

 Valve flow bore size


 Valve design
 Overall dimensions and weight
 Stem size and/or design
 Working pressures
 Media characteristics
 Trim
 Temperature
 Speed of operation
 ESD applications
 Position of valve / damper
 Dual purpose applications
 Media build-up
 Dead time/cycle rate
Valve Torques & Thrusts

The valve automation industry refers to linear force as thrust and a rotary
force as torque.

 Valve thrust is the linear force needed to move the


valve’s working element
 Valve thrust units are typically Newtons (N) or Pounds
(lbs)

 Valve torque is the rotary force needed to turn the


valve’s working element
 Valve torque units are typically Newton-Meters (Nm),
Pounds-Inch (lbs.in.) or Pounds-Foot (lbs.ft.)
What is a Valve Actuator?
A valve actuator is a device designed to power operate (automate) the working
element or element of a valve, i.e. the gate, disc, plug or ball component of the
valve.

These four diagrams show the power operation (close-open-close)


of a gate valve using a linear piston actuator.
Why Automate a Valve?

 Large amount of force or torque required


 Uncomfortable or difficult access to the valve for manual operation
 Remote operation required
 Hazardous locations
 Operational or cost efficiency
 Unique throttling or positional requirements
 Integration into advanced operating systems
 Emergency operation response
Actuator Selection Considerations

 What is the operating criteria for the valve?


 What power supply do you have available?
 Is the speed of operation a consideration?
 What is the key consideration in the selection?
 Does the valve require double-acting (stay-put, fail-last) action or is it required
to fail in a specific position?
 What is the operating environment? e.g. ambient temperatures and corrosive
factors
 Is a manual override required?
Double-Acting Actuators

Most of the actuator designs we will review later in this course are available in two
basic versions; double-acting and spring-return. Double-acting actuators require
an external power source (i.e. pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical) for both valve
strokes (opening and closing). Below we can see a pneumatic double-acting
actuator opening and closing a gate valve.

Valve Opening Stroke Valve Closing Stroke


Spring-Return Actuators

Spring-return actuators require an external power source for only one valve stroke
(typically referred to as the power stroke) since the power (force) for the return
stroke (typically referred to as the spring stroke) is provided by a spring that was
compressed during the power stroke. Spring-return actuators are typically used in
applications that require the valve to fail to a specific position on loss of the
external power supply. Below we can see a pneumatic spring-return actuator
opening a gate valve on the power stroke and closing the valve during the spring
stroke.

Valve Opening Valve Closing


Stroke Stroke
Rack & Pinion Actuators

 Provide a constant torque output throughout the valve


stroke which closely matches the torque requirements of
certain types of valve such as plug valve
 Often compact and lightweight
 Simple and easy to maintain
 Usually less economical to produce in larger sizes
 The constant torque output characteristics permits
smoother operation when high media flow increase valve
torque requirements at the run position
 Rack & pinion actuators can be an economical choice for
many valves, particularly when run torques are high and
when speed of rotation or duty cycles are more severe
 Over 90º of travel available for certain designs
Scotch-Yoke Actuators

 Can be used in conjunction with a linear cylinder or a


linear diaphragm, thereby utilizing the advantages of
either mechanism
 Produce higher valve torques at a valve’s fully open
and closed positions and lower torques at valve’s run
position
 Limited to valves which do not require more than 110º
rotation
 Not normally economical for low pressure applications,
i.e. 30 psig or lower
 The torque output of scotch-yoke actuators often fit the
normal torque profile of most ball and butterfly valves
very closely and are commonly used for these
applications
Rotary Vane Actuators

 The constant torque output characteristics more closely


match the torque requirements of certain valves such as
plug valves
 For a given torque output, rotary vane actuators typically
have a smaller dimensional envelope than helical spline
or scotch-yoke type actuators
 Often lighter than other actuator designs
 Simple and easy to maintain
 Reliable due to only having one moving part
 Available in double-acting versions only
 High efficiency (>90%)
 Symmetrical design provides good vibration resistance
 Difficult to seal across vane
Helical Spline Actuators

 Compact design
 Long life span because most, if not all, working parts are
submersed in hydraulic fluid
 No unfilled body cavities, important in submerged service
 Normally only available for high supply pressure
applications
 Relatively complex design, especially if service work is
required
 Generally heavy when compared to some other actuator
designs
 Best known their adaptability in deep subsea or
submerged service applications. Typically found in other
marine and mining applications where hydraulic supply
sources are readily available
Electric Actuators

 Expensive to provide a fail safe position


 Multi-turn capabilities
 Typically include more diagnostics than pneumatic and
hydraulic actuators
 Inexpensive installation costs
 Easy integration into advanced communication systems
 Simple adaptation to all global power supplies
Rotary Actuators

 Rack & Pinion Actuators


 Scotch-Yoke Actuators
 Rotary Vane Actuators
 Helical Spline Actuators
Rotary Actuators

 Electric Actuators
Linear Piston (Cylinder) Actuators

 Used to automate rising stem linear valves


 Capable of automating valves with long strokes (stem
travel)
 Generally simple and easy to maintain
 Typically need about 40 psig or more supply pressure to
be considered economical as compared to linear
diaphragm actuators
 Large volume results in actuators requiring more supply
media volume to operate as compared to linear
diaphragm or rotary actuators
 Linear piston actuators are most commonly used where
moderate to high supply pressures and long valve strokes
are required
Linear Diaphragm Actuators

 Low pneumatic supply pressure requirements


 Often used in globe type control valve applications as
they provide excellent controllability using low instrument
air pressures. Low supply pressures usually mean low
volume requirements and this often provides more
sensitive response
 Also used for automation of API reverse-acting gate
valves
 Generally simple and easy to maintain
 Do not produce the high thrust outputs required by large
valves
 Not normally available for long stroke applications
 Linear diaphragm actuators are most commonly used
where supply pressures are low and valve strokes are
short, or where a relatively small linear valve requires very
precise control
Linear Actuators

 Piston Actuators
 Diaphragm Actuators

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