Rotork Electric Valve Actuators on Gas Production Wells Powered by Solar Panels

Solar Powered Rotork Electric Valve Actuators

Engineered for choke and control valve applications, Rotork’s IQTF actuators provide reliable flow control for oil and gas or process operations, capable of achieving accuracy to 0.3% and resolution to 0.1%. A highly accurate absolute position sensor can measure up to 22 output turns independent of electrical power.

Rotork’s customer has ordered IQTF actuators to carry out modulating duties on wellhead rotary non-rising choke valves. Approximately 60 actuators have already been installed to control the flow and pressure of gas and condensate, a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons formed when pressure and temperature decrease as a result of well drilling, at the site near the city of Lufkin. Two IQTF actuators have been installed on each well. More than 30 have also been ordered to hold in the customer’s inventory.

All wells are fully automated to maintain flow and well pressure. To maximize the lifespan of the wells, the customer uses two choke valves on each one to step pressure down from 10,000 psi to 1,200 psi. Shale gas is metered between the wellhead and midstream trunkline where it is transported to domestic supply customers as well as industries including LNG plants and power stations.

The remote location of the wells means a DC power supply using a solar system and battery pack is being used to power the IQTF actuators. This solution was specified as a more reliable option than hydraulic or pneumatic actuation as it avoids potential leakage common in hydraulic actuators. At this location there is also plenty of sun to use as a source while electric actuators use less power than a hydraulic system.

Rotork’s lightweight, compact IQTF actuator provides fast and accurate valve control and can perform up to 1,800 starts per hour, an important factor given the need for a tight well flow threshold to avoid over pressure in the main trunkline. If too much gas is extracted in a short period of time the reservoir can implode or cause ground fractures which water or gas can infiltrate and cause a loss in production. The involvement of Rotork Site Services (RSS), which offered final commission and warranty, and Rotork’s support during initial testing and calibrating was also key in the customer’s decision to choose the company’s products.

IQTF actuators are available with rotary, linear or rising stem valve drive outputs to ISO / MSS standards.

A sealed for life internal lubrication system ensures reliability for the actuators installed on wells at unmanned, remote sites. This system uses oil which can perform in temperatures ranging from -50 to +70 °C (-58 to +158 °F), ideal for the environment in East Texas where temperatures very rarely drop below the lowest point.

For more information about Rotork product in California and Nevada, contact CTi Controltech by calling 925-208-4250 or by visiting https://cti-ct.com.

Reprinted with permission from Rotork.

CTi Controltech Service and Support: Improving Our Customer's Safety and Profitability

With engineering, design, and support resources available in Northern California and Western Nevada, CTi Controltech delivers value-added solutions that improve operations and increase profitability for our customers in the power generation, alternative energy, municipal water, wastewater treatment, gas & oil, chemical, refining, mining, agricultural, food service, pharmaceutical, and aerospace industries.

CTi Controltech offers our customers a group of services designed to provide outstanding value and cost savings throughout your equipment's life span. By integrating access to best-in-breed equipment manufacturers, decades of application experience, and state-of-the-art tools, CTi Controltech helps customers:

• Improve plant and personnel safety
• Optimize asset uptime and performance 
• Lower total cost of operation and maintenance
• Increase equipment reliability

PARTS, REPAIRS, UPGRADES AND FIELD SERVICES

CTi Controltech mobile service personnel and advanced diagnostic technologies, along with the unparalleled expertise of their technicians, is equipped to address virtually any process equipment service requirement, regardless of the manufacturer.

Repair and Upgrades — CTi Controltech repairs and/or upgrades equipment, providing new life to existing process instrumentation, valves, and control systems.

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Field Service Personnel — From maintenance to management, highly qualified CTi Controltech project managers, engineers and technicians will assist you in keeping your plant running smoothly .

ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Technical Analysis — CTi Controltech can perform system audits to identify operational issues that may be constraining output or elevating operating costs, and then recommended laser-focused solutions.

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Loop Design, Integration and Engineering Support — CTi Controltech engineers engage with our customers, providing on-site support for grassroots project planning, system design, or project management requirements.

ASSET MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION

CTi Controltech continues to invest in its capabilities and technologies to help our customers realize more payback from their plant assets.

Equipment Life Cycle Optimization — Through a combination of on-site assessments and technology, CTi experts help customers benchmark operational performance, define key metrics, and implement precise solutions to achieve long-term operational goals.

Intelligent Product Solutions — By employing an array of sophisticated products, services, and software that collects, examines and understands data, CTi Controltech helps customers use predictive analytics to take action and improve asset reliability and reduce downtime.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

CTi Controltech offers a wide range of innovative training programs to help plant operators, managers, reliability specialists, engineers and maintenance staff further develop their understanding of critical equipment and processes.

Training at CTi — At our state-of-the-art facility in San Ramon, California, highly trained instructors provide hands-on training and instruction in the principles of process control, instrumentation maintenance, control valve operation, and equipment reliability.

Customer On-site Training — CTi Controltech will design, develop, and deliver training programs tailored specifically around the people, equipment and processes at a customer’s facility.

CTi Controltech

925-208-4250

https://cti-ct.com