Oil and gas companies around the world are challenged to increase production and deliver quality products while reducing resources and manufacturing costs. Process control has a financial impact and therefore reducing process variability is a key factor in maximizing production quality and reducing costs. Comprehensive studies of control systems have shown that up to 80% of control loops have failed to perform satisfactorily in reducing process variability. In most cases, the control valve was found to be the main cause of the problem. Despite this, the impact of flow control valve in dynamic performance is often overlooked.

Optimum flow control is imperative; Throttling and control valves are subject to a variety of technical phenomena and it is crucial to carefully select the right control valve for each application.

Superior design features include the valve material, which must be resistant to the chemical composition of the flow medium. For example, discs and trim made from solid tungsten carbide, known for its erosion and cavitation resistant properties. Industrial diamond insert coatings on blades have also produced very good results in severe conditions. The sealing surface must not be in contact with the flowing medium to ensure the tightness of the seat for a longer period of time. The construction of the internal parts must guarantee that the downstream of the rear disc is resistant to abrasion. This removes most cavitation and eroding material from the sealing surfaces as well as the valve body. The internal design must be able to absorb turbulence in the flow so that the outlet flow is more laminar. Rotary throttling disc valves are recommended for extremely severe applications.

Flow control is also optimized through the use of different shaped and sized throttling holes in the rotating discs. This affects the Cv value of the valve and has a crucial impact on process control. The correct valve size and trim must be chosen to match the process conditions.

For both new and existing applications, to ensure downtime is kept to an absolute minimum and no additional costs are incurred, flow control valves must be ideally designed to fit into existing piping without modification. This also ensures that any replacement can be done efficiently.

Ultimately, these design features, along with serviceable internals and easy maintenance, maximize production, reduce life cycle costs and extend mean time between failures, providing an overall reduction in total cost of ownership. property.