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Archived News 2004
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October
2004
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ATEX
Certification for new variants of EExia products reduces field wiring by
50%.
K Controls
has recently obtained ATEX Certification for EExia intrinsically safe
switchboxes, switch terminal boxes and switch solenoid control centres
that can reduce field wiring by 50%. Special solid state proximity
sensors, fitted with an internal diode, permit
two signals to be monitored through one dual lead via a 2:1 mode of
operation.
This new
sensor also includes LED switch status indication. This means that the end
user can see whether or not the sensor has been activated by the target.
This is especially helpful during commissioning and fault finding as
frequent trips back to the panel can be avoided.
K Controls
takes a pair of wires from each proximity sensor
and configures them via the terminal strip inside
the enclosure to permit client connection to an appropriate interfacing
device via a single two core cable.
Typical
Interfacing devices are galvanically isolated safety barriers and fieldbus
valve coupler units. The benefits of this approach are particularly
significant when using fieldbus valve couplers as the number of inputs per
coupler can typically be increased to 8 thereby saving the number of
couplers needed per installation. Up to four 007 switchboxes or four 007C
switch solenoid control centres* can therefore be connected to each
fieldbus valve coupler. (*When fitted with special low powered pilot
solenoid valves.)
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September
2004
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Tandem mounted
switchboxes for emergency shut down application.
A major manufacturer of
pneumatic actuators has specified K Controls switchboxes for use on
emergency shut down, oil feed main riser valves. The 16 inch, Class 900
valves are fitted with actuators that have been sized with a high factor
of safety and fitted with tandem mounted stainless steel 007 Switchboxes.
Both switchboxes are ATEX Certified. The EExia unit contains, 2 double pole, double throw, (D.P.D.T) magnetically
operated reed switches for monitoring valve position. The EExed unit
on the right, fitted with a “Klearvision” indicator, contains two EExd
limit switches that are wired via an EExd solenoid valve. This enables
regular partial stroke testing to take place. The switchbox enclosures are
manufactured from stainless steel ANC4B (316) and have ingress protection
to IP67. They are linked via enclosed stainless steel gearing. The
actuated valve assemblies have been purchased by a major oil company for
use in Azerbaijan.
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July
2004
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Stainless
steel 007 switchboxes to be used in an oilfield off the coast of
Africa.
More
than 100 stainless steel ATEX Certified EExia switchboxes have recently
been specified for use on a floating production and storage offloading
vessel (FPSO) that is being built in
Korea
. The FPSO will be spread-moored in an oilfield that is between 50 and 150
kms off the coast of
Africa
. The water depth is between
500 and 1600 metres and the FPSO will be linked by risers to a network of
sub sea flow lines manifolds and wells.
ATEX EExd HART®
Position Transmitters specified for use on an unmanned
North Sea
oil platform.
ATEX
EExd HART® Position
Transmitters have been specified recently for use on an unmanned platform
that is undergoing conversion from a gas lifted well to ESP operation. The
conversion of a well to Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) operation is
usually performed when declining gas reservoir pressures and rising gas
/oil ratios start to adversely affect production.
The position transmitters will be fitted to a variety of linear and
rotary valves and the HART® facility will allow the remote calibration
and identification of each unit.
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June
2004
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K Controls 006 range of
IP68 (Sub-sea) valve actuator monitoring equipment has recently been
extended to include the options of a stainless steel enclosure and the
possibility of ATEX 11 2 G EEx ia certification should the unit be
required for intermittent submersion in a hazardous area. The standard
unit is available in coated carbon steel and units are pressure tested to
the depth equivalent of 150 metres. A standard M20 or ½” NPT conduit
entry is provided or the base can be machined to accept a customer
specified sub-sea connector. A variety of hermetically sealed solid state
or reed style proximity switches can be fitted in the device together with
4-20mA, HART®,
Profibus or Fieldbus Foundation™
position transmitters. The 006 range has a design life of at least 25
years and the option of component redundancy is available.
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May 2004
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The
007 HT is particularly suited to fire or smoke damper applications and has
successfully passed 300 0 C, 1 hour tests at the Warrington
Fire Research Institute (UK). During the last 12 months more than 800
units have been supplied to a damper manufacturer for use in the
Hong Kong
metro. The switchboxes have also been used recently to monitor the
position of dampers in fire fighting training buildings. A
typical training building is divided into a number of training spaces. Fire
rooms contain realistic steel models that simulate, for example, a car, an
office environment, a bedroom or a kitchen. Each room is equipped
with naturally convected LPG burners that burn with a long, yellowish
flame. In these rooms the visibility can also be controlled and high
level temperatures can reach 250 0 C. The fires react
realistically to applied suppressants and they can violently escalate when
the incorrect suppressant is used.
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March 2004
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Further
orders have been received for ATEX certified intrinsically safe, fully
integrated 007C Switch Solenoid Control Centres from a major
UK
pharmaceutical manufacturer. The 007C's specified on this project
allow the pneumatics and electrics to pass from stainless steel covered
trunking to each valve via a single conduit. This makes for a particularly
neat installation. Lengthy cable runs between the control room and the
plant room were also eliminated via the use of a remote I/O system. The instrument
engineer with responsibility for the project commented that the previous
approach was to install the solenoids in remote cabinets but this resulted
in time lags caused by the distance between the solenoids and the
actuators. The other problem was the time taken to identify a faulty
solenoid if a particular actuator ceased to function. The 007C has an
internal pneumatic connection located beneath the switch terminals
directly opposite the conduit entry. 300 units have now been supplied on
both the primary production lines and for the associated service
valves. The 007C is available for single acting, double acting and double
acting "stay put" applications and as it can be fitted to
both rotary and linear valves; it has been used as the standard
solution on a wide variety of different valve types.
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February 2004
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008 “Smart” Electro –pneumatic
positioners have now completed more than 18 months successful service in a
variety of different applications. The
design has carved a niche in the market for the following reasons.
Engineered into the same enclosure as the 007 Switchbox it has a neat
compact design that makes it ideal for small actuators or confined spaces.
Simple to use, the loop powered 008 self calibrates in less than 3 minutes
and then gives very accurate control. It monitors its performance
continuously and changes the control algorithm should the characteristics
of the valve or actuator change significantly during service. A unique
analogue solenoid replaces piezo based control which is known to have
caused problems with some competitors’ products in certain difficult
applications. Field proven, the 008 tolerates poor quality instrument
air and is dust proof, weather proof and impact protected. Available with
optional position feedback it is an ideal replacement for positioners that
use dated technology. Standard mounting kits are available for a
wide range rotary or linear actuators. Designed for straight forward
4-20mA applications in safe areas, the 008 is not burdened with complex
control and communication capabilities that many clients will not need and
certainly will not want to pay for.
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January 2004
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K
Controls announces two new initiatives for 2004. The
first is
“Knowledge”
a
regular e-newsletter
designed to deliver news in small instalments. Product
news, application stories, industry news and useful web links all brought
to your desk in a form that is quick and easy to read. If
you or your colleague(s) would like receive it please Click
here to receive a copy of "Knowledge". The second initiative
is the creation of a new e-mail
based training forum.
The aim is to improve application knowledge in the field of “Pneumatic
Valve Actuation”. In addition to our own expertise we hope that we will
be able to call on the assistance of other members of the forum to answer
questions and improve on our training material.
A separate e-mail will be sent shortly to our regular clients in
the valve industry who need to deal with customers on a regular basis. If
you would like to apply for a place in the forum please send us an e-mail
using the following link. Click
here to join the e-training forum.
Subjects might include:
Actuator sizing, failure functions, hazardous areas and field bus however
the questions asked will determine the subjects we cover and the order in
which we cover them. If you have a question please send us an e-mail using
the following link. Click
here to ask a question.
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