Intumescent "FR Shells" Provide Passive Fire Protection for Electric Valve Actuators

According to Wikipedia, an intumescent "is a substance that swells as a result of heat exposure, thus increasing in volume and decreasing in density. Intumescents are typically used in passive fire protection."

Intumescents play a valuable role in electric valve actuation. Removable intumescent fireproof coatings referred to as "FR Shells" (from actuator manufacturer Limitorque) provide simple fireproof protection to an electric actuator quickly and easily. The construction is reinforced with wire to enhance its performance and protection of the valve actuator for at least 30 minutes against a hydrocarbon fire. Based on this design capability, the valve actuator will not require being sent to the OEM for replacement coatings in the event of a fire. The intumescent coating can be installed on-site for existing actuators without any modification. The design of the intumescent coating comes in sectional forms and is assembled/secured with external fixing screws supplied with the FR Shells. The FR Shells are protected against harmful UV rays with an approved paint.

How They Work

The intumescent coating maintains itself in a solid state until contact is made with fire. Once contact is made with flame, the intumescent coating (coating surface) is converted into a highly viscous liquid. A reaction combining combustion of the epoxy and gas liberation then takes place resulting in an expansion up to eight times the initial thickness of the original coating. The result is a low-density, carbonaceous insulation char. The layer of char absorbs most of the heat generated by the fire, thus protecting the actuator and its internal parts from exposure to the extreme temperatures of a hydrocarbon fire.

Advantages

• Lightweight design
• Can be installed on existing actuator
• No modification is required of the actuator.
• Easy installation and removal
• No special tools are required.
• Installation space is not required.
• Can be re-used in the event of actuator replacement
• If a part fails (e.g., motor), re-coating is not required.
• Excellent finishes in decorative grade
• Separate storing of intumescent coating is possible, against damage during installation of valve/actuator.

For more information, contact Mead O'Brien by calling (800) 892-2769 or visit their web site at https://meadobrien.com.

Why Measuring Differential Pressure Across a Filter or Strainer is Important

Differential pressure gauge.
(Ashcroft)

In many applications fluids passing through a pipe require filtering this results in the need for continuous differential pressure monitoring. Differential pressure gauges, switches and transmitters help monitor your processes.

Filters and strainers commonly are positioned to capture solids and particulates. The filter will obstruct the flow through the pipe lowering the pressure on the downstream side. These effects may vary depending on the filters construction. Filter media is the material that removes impurities. The smaller the pores, the larger the friction. Higher friction means greater pressure drop. Contaminants or particulates that build up in the filter will reduce media flow. As the filter becomes clogged, the downstream pressure drops. This results in an increased differential pressure, also referred to as the Delta-P. Saturated filters may also begin to shed

Differential pressure switch.
(Ashcroft)

captured particles. With the filter no longer functioning properly, the contaminants can escape into the process. This is why proper monitoring of pressure drop is crucial.

Differential pressure transmitter.
(Ashcroft)

Differential pressure is measured by placing taps both before and after the filter. A differential pressure measuring instrument can be connected to detect the high side and low-side pressures. The instrument will report the difference between the two sides. The saturation point will be indicated when the Delta P value reaches a predetermined threshold. This value was derived from a calculation that factors in the flow rate fluid viscosity and filter characteristics. The filter manufacturer can be contacted for help in identifying the optimum differential pressure value that tells you when it'stime to service the filter.

When specifying a differential pressure instrument there are two important factors to consider. The first is the DP range, which is based upon the most difference in pressure that the restriction is likely to produce. The second is the instruments ability to contain the static pressure, which is simply the pressure in the line while the differential pressure remains the same. A higher line pressure may require an instrument rated for higher static pressure.

Mead O'Brien
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NACE Standards - Measuring the Pressure of Sour Gas and Crude

In 1943 a group of corrosion engineers working in the pipeline industry formed the National Association of Corrosion Engineers with the goal of "protecting people, assets, and the environment from corrosion”. In the 1960s, they commenced development of control standards to define appropriate materials for a wide variety of corrosive applications, including oil and gas production and refinery facilities. In 1993, the organization was renamed “NACE International”.

Today, NACE offers over 150 standards that address metal corrosion in a vast number of applications ranging from exposed metal structures to corrosion resistant coatings on railroad cars.

The following NACE Measuring Pressure of Sour Gas and Crude White Paper (courtesy of Ashcroft) discusses NACE standards that specifically address corrosion resulting from expo- sure to sour gas or sour crude.

You can download the entire NACE Standards Sour Gas and Crude White Paper here, or review it in the embedded document below.

For more information, contact Mead O'Brien at (800) 892-2769 or visit their web site at https://meadobrien.com.

NACE Standards - Measuring the Pressure of Sour Gas and Crude from Mead O'Brien, Inc.

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Saturated Steam Table

A saturated steam table shows temperatures and pressures for water at the liquid/vapor transition (i.e. points lying along the liquid/vapor interface shown in a phase change diagram), as well as enthalpy values for the water and steam under those conditions. The sensible heat of water is the amount of thermal energy per pound necessary to raise water’s temperature from the freezing point to the boiling point. The latent heat of vapor is the amount of energy per pound necessary to convert water (liquid) into steam (vapor). The total heat is the enthalpy of steam (thermal energy per pound) between the listed condition in the table and the freezing temperature of water.

By definition a saturated steam table does not describe steam at temperatures greater than the boiling point. For such purposes, a superheated steam table is necessary.

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Saturated Steam Table

Reprinted from "Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation" by Tony R. Kuphaldt – under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License.

Data for this saturated steam table was taken from Thermal Properties of Saturated and Superheated Steam by Lionel Marks and Harvey Davis, published in 1920 by Longmans, Green, and Company.

Triple Offset Butterfly Valve Operation and Features

Triple offset butterfly valves provide superior performance, increased durability, reliability and lower ownership cost than traditional valves.

Triple offset butterfly valves are recognized for excellent flow control characteristics, zero leakage, and reliability. They are designed for superior performance in high pressure and extreme temperature applications. Their design includes metal seats which are inherently fire safe. They maintain their zero leakage seal even in extreme operating conditions. Finally, triple offset butterfly valves typically weigh less than similar sized valves, allowing for easier installation and maintenance.

TRICENTRIC^®, the leading manufacturer of triple offset valves, engineer their products to meet stringent industry requirements and offer cost savings to the end user through improved life cycle costs, reducing emissions, reducing downtime and requiring lower maintenance costs.

Triple offset butterfly valves have a huge installed base and a commonly used in a range of industries including:

• Aerospace
• Conventional power 
• Nuclear power
• Oil & gas / refining
• Desalination
• Chemical processing 
• Pulp & paper mills
• Military

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Hot Water for Industry from Mead O'Brien

Mead O'Brien, in partnership with Armstrong International, delivers accuracy, simplicity and unparalleled performance in instantaneous hot water generation, distribution and precision temperature control.

From a single product, to a complete fully integrated system, Mead O'Brien can provide a hot water solution to meet your most demanding needs.

Products include standard and application-customized steam/water instantaneous water heaters for any process application requiring very specific temperatures, from chilled water to temperatures as high as 212°F (100°C), as well as Mixing Centers, VFD Pump Assemblies, Hot & Cold Water Hose Stations, Gas-Fired Water Heaters, and Digital Control Valves.

https://meadobrien.com
(800) 892-2769