| Pneumatic Actuators at Bulk Plants
The modern LP-Gas bulk storage facility contains gas control equipment
that is unique to the LP-Gas industry – including various valves, fittings, and other
specialty equipment. Among this equipment is the Pneumatic Valve Actuator which has gained
acceptance and can be found throughout the world. The Pneumatic Actuator can be installed
onto Internal Valves or Emergency Shut off valves. It allows for rapid loading of product
into a delivery truck or for quick system shut downs in the unlikely event of a hose
rupture or pull away accident. Pneumatic Actuators have emerged as standard equipment
because of their ease of use – one simple action of pushing a switch can ready the
entire system for use or turn off all liquid and vapor lines.
All RegO Products Internal valves and Emergency Shut-off Valves can be
fitted with pneumatic actuators. Actuator kits can be purchased which contain all of the
hardware and instructions necessary to perform the installation.
Internal Valves
Internal Valves are used at bulk storage facilities on either
liquid or vapor piping. In the most common application, internal valves are connected
directly to the storage tank, making use of their positive shut-off and excess flow
features.
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| A3209A050
Internal Valve with Pneumatic Actuator |
A3212/A3213
Internal Valve with Pneumatic Actuator |
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A3217
Internal Valve with Pneumatic Actuator |
Emergency Shut-off Valves
The purpose of an Emergency Shut-off Valve (ESV) is
to provide quick shut off of liquid or vapor lines in the event of a
pull-away or hose rupture. At a bulk storage facility, ESV's are found at
the bulkhead that is used to load delivery trucks. When a Pneumatic system
is charged, it will maintain the ESV in the open position. An ESV must be
opened manually by turning an operating handle on the valve.
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| 7605B
ESV with 7605APN-1 Actuator |
A7781AF
ESV with 7781AFPN-1 Actuator |
Pneumatic Systems on
Internal Valves and ESV's
When the pneumatic system is charged, the Internal
valves and ESV's are open, allowing product flow in either direction. It
is important to note that when the system is not charged, downstream
pressure can force the valves to open, allowing product to flow back
through the valves (see illustration below). Product will not escape from
the storage tank during this process.
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| A3212/A3213
Internal Valve |
7605B
Emergency Shut-off Valve |
Remote Pneumatic Control
Manifold
After all Internal Valves and ESV's have been
fitted with the proper Pneumatic Actuator kits, all of the valves to be
actuated must be linked together with a single hose which will be used to
carry compressed inert gas to the individual actuators. It is not
recommended to use LP vapor for valve actuation because of a possible
moisture contamination or ignition source.
At another area of the storage facility (at least
100' from the storage tank), a portable inert gas storage cylinder is
recommended to provide the system with gas pressure. Attached to the
cylinder should be an approved high pressure regulator set at
approximately 60 psi outlet pressure.
The charging valve (see illustration) is located
downstream of the gas cylinder. The charging valve is operated by
depressing and holding the valve open until an attached indicator comes
on. When the system indicator is on, the system is charged and ready for
use.
At various points in the system, emergency
blow-down valves can be connected to the main pneumatic control line.
These valves give the system operator the ability to quickly stop the flow
of product from the storage vessel(s) if an emergency should arise. It is
recommended that a minimum of two emergency valves are located at each
bulk storage facility. Of the two, one should be in a normal path of
egress from the facility (at the front gate, for example).
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