Folkert Hettinga (Festo) and Willem van Rijs (SGSI)Photo © Sam Rentmeester
Festo has developed in cooperation with Shell Global Solutions an electric servo actuator for anti-surge control valves. The device is also equipped with a unique ‘mechanical fail safe’, patent-pending mechanism. The actuator shows clear advantages compared to the traditional pneumatic solutions, enabling a more precise control and requiring less maintenance during the life cycle of plants due to a less complex design.
ASCVs are used to protect against compressor surge, which can cause catastrophic damage to turbine compressors. An effective ASCV must operate rapidly and precisely – two aspects that represent a major challenge for the current generation of ASCVs, which are usually actuated pneumatically.
Festo is also closely collaborating with Compressor Controls Corporation to further develop and integrate the controller and actuator for optimum surge protection and process efficiency.
This new product is available to every OEM or user in combination with any brand of ASCV, and/or (in future) with other applications, such as Emergency Shut Down On/Off valves.