Other Process Valves

In addition to the throtthng control valve, other types of process valves are used to manipulate the process. 

The trip valve is provided as a second line of defense in case of overspeed The trip valve is frequently equipped with a trip-actuating solenoid which can be operated by push button, by low od pressure, or by some other process upset. When the speed control functions as described above, the trip will not be actuated by load dump. 

Does the facility have a program for regular inspection and testing of process safety valves and other process safety devices including interlocks ... 

The discharge pressure developed hy the compressor must he equal to the process gas s total system resistance, of control valves, hand valves, orifices, heat exchangers, and any other process-related devices through which the discharge gas from the compressor must flow. As this resistance changes, the gas flow through the compressor will automatically adjust itself to equal the new resistance. ... 

Noise can cause a serious nuisance in the neighbourhood of a process plant. Care needs to be taken when selecting and specifying equipment such as compressors, air-cooler fans, induced and forced draught fans for furnaces, and other noisy plant. Excessive noise can also be generated when venting through steam and other relief valves, and from flare stacks. Such equipment should be fitted with silencers. Vendors specifications should be checked to ensure that equipment complies with statutory noise levels both for the protection of employees (see Chapter 9), as well as for noise pollution considerations. Noisy equipment should, as far as practicable, be sited well away from the site boundary. Earth banks and screens of trees can be used to reduce the noise level perceived outside the site. 

In some cases a closed drainage system can be used which drains process components directly into the oily water sewer. This has the advantage of avoiding releases of vapors in any instance, but assurance must be obtained that back pressure from one drainage location will not backfeed liquids into another drain point when two valves are open simultaneously or other drainage valves can contain any backpressure on them from other drainage sources. 

A reaction quench is a system where an inhibiting substance (quench solution stored in a separate container vessel) can be quickly and effectively fed into the reactor via a pipe which is protected with appropriate isolation valves. This action is independent of other process actions that may be required. The reaction quench can be manually initiated or automatically when certain process parameters are exceeded. 

In addition to the vacuum valves, which perform solely an isolation function (fully open - fully closed position), special valves are needed for special functions. Typical are variable leak valves, which cover the leakage range from 10" ° cm /s (NTP) up to 1.6 10 cm /s (NTP). These valves are usually motor driven and suitable for remote control and when they are connected to a pressure gauge, the process pressures can be set and maintained. Other special valves fulfill safety functions, such as rapid, automatic cut-off of diffusion pumps or vacuum systems in the event of a power failure. For example, SECUVAC valves belong to this group. In the event of a power failure, they cut off the vacuum system from the pumping system and vent the forevacuum system. The vacuum system is enabled only after a certain minimum pressure (about 200 mbar) has been attained once the power has been restored. 

NONE No Flow 1. Flow stopped upstream. 2. Line blockage OT the isolation valve shut in error. 3. Line fracture. No absorption in column. Entire process stops as tail-gas Row As for I. Pressure buildup in pipe and secon cooler. As for I. Gases escape into the surroundings. a) Ensure liquid feeds to absorber and Stops.Other process units shut down. b) Install LOW FLOW ALARM onto the FIC. Covered by a) and b). dary c) Install kick-back on upstream pumps and ensure pressure relief system is adequate. Covered by a) and b). d) Ensure regular patrolling of feed transfer lines. e) Plant emergency shutdown procedures. 

Some method of pressure relief is required on all pressure vessels and for other process equipment where increasing pressure might rupture the vessel. Much of the piping used in modern chemical operations also requires overpressure protection. Safety relief valves or rupture discs are employed for pressure relief. In many cases, either a rupture disc or a safety relief valve can be used. Safety relief valves are usually used for process protection and rupture discs are used for vessel protection. The safety relief valve or rupture disc must be designed to operate at a known pressure and prevent the pressure within the system from increasing. Therefore, it is important to consider the flowrate the valve can handle. 

The cost for piping covers labor, valves, fittings, pipe, supports, and othc rdtems involved in the complete erection of all piping used directly in the process. This includes raw-material, intermediate-product, finished-product, steam, water, air, sewer, and other process piping. Since process-plant piping can run as high as 80 percent of purchased-equipment cost or 20 percent of tied-capital investment, it is understandable that accuracy of the entire estimate can be seriously affected by the improper application of estimation techniques to this one component. 

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