Solid eight years for ball valves and actuators

In a little over eight years, seven ball valves and pneumatic actuators complete 12 million cycles on a demanding application at a Middlesbrough fine chemicals manufacturer.

In a little over eight years, seven Worcester Envirosafe ball valves and Norbro pneumatic actuators have completed 12 million cycles on a demanding application at a Middlesbrough based fine chemicals manufacturer.

According to the company, since the valves were installed in 1997 there has been only one reported gland leak - which was taken up with a minor adjustment.

The valve and actuator combination is used to control an acidic liquor containing dissolved salts - including sulphates and chlorides - with a pH of 3.5 at temperatures of up to 50C.

Due to the high cycling associated with the application, the valves can be operated as frequently as every 20s.

The company's site project engineer said: "The nature of the media means valve leakage would be highly unpleasant and adversely affect the workplace - we needed to be sure the valves we chose would be environmentally safe".

To extend the intervals between valve changes, the fine chemicals specialist initially evaluated diaphragm valves before selecting Worcester Envirosafe E51 flanged ball valves.

The stainless-steel valves have a dynamic, dual sealing stem arrangement and are controlled by Norbro pneumatic actuators.

A company spokesperson said: "It's essential that our processes continue uninterrupted and that our working environment is protected".

"We have highly stringent specifications for our suppliers - in this case we set a target of one million uninterrupted cycles, so we were astonished - and delighted - that the valves should perform more than 12 million cycles on such a demanding application".

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