With rapidly demanding dynamic performance requirements and targets for reducing plant emissions placing compressor equipment at risk of damage, proven anti-surge and compressor recycle valve technology is set to help the oil and gas industry avoid disruptive and costly unplanned compressor damage and consequently downtime.
Surge events can interrupt compression in upstream and midstream oil & gas, LNG, and petrochemical facilities. If left unaddressed, this disruption may lead to compressor trips or system failures that require expensive remedial work to resolve damage, notes Mike Semens-Flanagan, Global Engineering Director at IMI Critical Engineering.
“In demanding applications, the valve manages high dynamic forces, so failure risks must be minimized for best possible performance,” he notes. “Similarly, valve issues including vibration, noise, and erosion caused by the wide differential pressures that occur during these operations can impact nearby equipment if not addressed.”
To address these concerns, IMI Critical Engineering has developed an integrated anti-surge and compressor recycle valve that combines multiple, co-acting technologies to balance efficient production and equipment health. The valve comprises of IMI CCI’s patented DRAG™ Control Valve technology with SC/V actuators and smart, high-performance FasTrak™ or QuickTrak™ controllers and positioners. The solution’s individual parts, developed in-house at IMI Critical, continually interact to reduce the chance of cycle trips to optimise performance at start-up and during operation.
Designed for operations in the oil and gas sectors, the valve also uses a high number of stages for small openings at low flow conditions. As a result, greater velocity and flow control is provided, meaning that fewer cycles are required to achieve product compression targets, reducing the carbon footprint. This provides another way for industry to reduce emissions by making processes more efficient.
Mr. Semens-Flanagan continues: “Having greater control over compressor systems is crucial to ensuring optimal flow levels through the valve and improving plant sustainability in line with ever-tightening environmental legislation. Our unique, fully integrated anti-surge and compressor recycling valve is an excellent example of this approach in action.
“By leveraging expertise across both the IMI Critical Engineering team and IMI plc., we have developed options for specific plant, system, and performance needs. We are committed to providing breakthrough engineering for a better world, and this unique design will be instrumental in reducing emissions, improving plant safety, and making processes more efficient.”
With the oil and gas industry facing increasingly stringent dynamic performance requirements and striving to reduce plant emissions, the need to safeguard compressor equipment from potential damage has never been more critical. Surge events can disrupt compression in upstream and midstream oil & gas, LNG, and petrochemical facilities, leading to costly compressor trips and system failures. To tackle these challenges head-on, IMI Critical Engineering has introduced a groundbreaking solution—an integrated anti-surge and compressor recycle valve that promises to optimize performance, minimize downtime, and improve plant sustainability.
Mike Semens-Flanagan, Global Engineering Director at IMI Critical Engineering, emphasizes the importance of mitigating failure risks and addressing issues such as vibration, noise, and erosion caused by wide differential pressures during operations. This innovative valve addresses these concerns by combining multiple, co-acting technologies, resulting in an efficient and robust system that enhances both production efficiency and equipment health.
At the heart of this groundbreaking valve lies IMI CCI's patented DRAG™ Control Valve technology with SC/V actuators and smart, high-performance FasTrak™ or QuickTrak™ controllers and positioners. These components, all developed in-house by IMI Critical, seamlessly interact to reduce the likelihood of cycle trips, ensuring optimal performance during startup and operation. The valve's design specifically caters to the demanding conditions of the oil and gas sectors, featuring a high number of stages for small openings at low flow conditions. This design not only provides superior velocity and flow control but also requires fewer cycles to achieve product compression targets, thus reducing the industry's carbon footprint and aligning with environmental sustainability goals.
Mr. Semens-Flanagan underscores the importance of having greater control over compressor systems to achieve optimal flow levels and improve plant sustainability in compliance with tightening environmental regulations. The fully integrated anti-surge and compressor recycling valve developed by IMI Critical Engineering exemplifies this approach, offering tailored solutions for specific plant, system, and performance needs. Leveraging the collective expertise of both the IMI Critical Engineering team and IMI plc., the company remains committed to delivering breakthrough engineering solutions for a better world.
The benefits of this unique valve technology extend far beyond emission reduction and improved plant safety. By efficiently balancing production demands and equipment health, the valve helps oil and gas facilities avoid costly unplanned compressor damage and downtime. The implementation of this cutting-edge technology represents a significant step forward for the industry, fostering operational stability and sustainability while optimizing energy usage.
As environmental consciousness continues to drive innovations in the oil and gas sector, IMI Critical Engineering's integrated valve technology serves as a beacon of progress. By safeguarding compressor equipment, reducing emissions, and enhancing overall efficiency, the oil and gas industry can take confident strides towards a more sustainable and profitable future. As the demand for energy continues to grow, solutions like this will play a crucial role in meeting global energy needs responsibly and efficiently.
