ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Friday, 27 November 2009 12:28 UAE time

YOUR DIRECTORY /

| Share |

Flow control

by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer  on Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Petrochemicals Middle East investigates what the regional boom in downstream developments means for the local and global valve suppliers.

Controlling the flow of fluids and gases through a petrochemical plant is a job which falls to the valves producers. In every plant, whether it produces basic chemicals, intermediates or polymers or even specialty chemicals, regulating the flow is vital to smooth operations and quality end-products.

Valves can be operated manually or automatically driven by changes in pressure, temperature or flow. These changes may act upon a diaphragm or a piston which in turn activates the valve, examples of this type of valve found commonly are safety valves fitted to hot water systems or steam boilers.

Story continues below
advertisement

Although many different types of valves are used to control the flow of fluids, the basic valve type suitable for the petrochemicals sector can be divided into two groups: stop valves and check valves.

In addition, many specialised valves, which are not easily classified, are found in the engineering spaces. "There is a wide variety of valve types used within the petrochemical industry. The valve selection is dictated by the application. Primarily the valves are used for isolation, control and safety relief within the petrochemical plant and also to control and contain the process safely within the design limits of the plant," says Christophe Melinette, managing director Tyco Flow Control Middle East.

Plant valves

Stop valves are used to shut off or to stop partially the flow of fluid, controlled by the movement of the valve stem. Stop valves can be divided into four general categories depending on its functionality and shape of the valves where we have globe, gate, butterfly, and ball valves. The list also includes plug valves and needle valves which may be considered as stop valves. All these varieties of valves can be used in the petrochemical industry.

"The valves and specific valve manufacturers like Tyco selected for use within a petrochemical plant will have a well proven track record for efficient design, high quality products and proven reliability," explains Tyco's managing director.

Standards

Valves in petrochemical and refining installations are subject to numerous standards and specifications issued by many supporting organisations.

"Specifications are determined by the end user and the engineering contracting houses that design and build the plants. As safety is the number one priority in all industries you will find that the specifications have evolved greatly over the years. These changes are based upon operational experiences, advances in materials technology, design philosophy and improved manufacturing methods," adds Melinette.

"Specifications are generally customer driven and are written incorporating internationally accepted standards generally either ASME, DIN, JIS, API and ISO are used," explains Hassan Fazel, technical sales manager - Middle East region, at R S Clare and Co. Valve design in the last 50 years has typically used the valve standard of the American Petroleum Institute (API) for refinery use, known today as API 600, - affectionately known as the bolted bonnet steel gate valves for petroleum and natural gas industries standard.

The standard includes some criteria of testing which outlines that valves should not leak when they are subject to hydrostatic seat test, where the valve is subject to 1.1 times cold working pressure leak test.

Currently, valve manufacturers aim to achieve a zero closure test leakage rate during initial factory testing of their metal seated gate and globe valves.

Design integrity

The integrity of valve is very important and requests a lot of attention. "in order to control the whole flow with all the chemicals involved inside it is important to keep the integrity of the valves through, we have advanced products which we inject inside the cavity of the valve in order to seal and to keep the integrity of the valve and prevent it from corrosion" says Fazel.


| Share |


READERS' COMMENTS

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

Click here to post a comment


Add your Comment
All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *
(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments


Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.


MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM

From  Current Issue

SHARE PRICE CHECK

RELATED STORIES

Tyco Valves and Controls Middle East
| 4 stories
  1. The big 10: Valves
  2. Letting off steam

RELATED LINKS

  1. Tyco Valves and Controls Middle East»

 EMAIL ALERTS

  1. Tyco Valves and Controls Middle East

  2. Energy


Tell us your story

READER COMMENTS

  1. Deal sought on Dubai World, Nakheel debts 17
    27 Nov ' 09 at 12:16
    We are looking at realistic action on the current situation, these investments are heading for, which I strongly feel is a positive...   More  »
  2. Dubai debts crisis: latest news 04
    27 Nov ' 09 at 11:41
    Many of us believe in the great achievements of Dubai. But bleating passionate rhetoric in favor of the greatness of our City will not...   More  »
  3. UAE real estate market has now hit bottom - analysts 04
    27 Nov ' 09 at 00:48
    Arabian Business has serious credibility issues to serve up this slop after Dubai has just defaulted. What expert analysts? Send them...   More  »

Read all user comments >

Gitex 2009

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM