Realize considerable cost savings by upgrading to digital, zero-bleed valve positioners

Upgrading to digital, zero-bleed valve positioners from outdated electropneumatic ones can lead to considerable cost savings.

Legacy electropneumatic positioners, commonly used in pipeline processing plants, are designed to leak control gas by default, continuously bleeding (supply air, natural gas, etc.) to regulate pressure and actuator position. Furthermore, most valve positioners are in unmanned areas that rely on sensors and relays to communicate with a pipeline operator’s control system. If leak thresholds are exceeded, an alarm is triggered, and a technician must physically assess the site before the alarm can be disabled, resulting in unplanned costs and delays.

Digital/Zero Bleed valve positioners, such as the Siemens SIPART PS2, are a more precise and efficient alternative to traditional electropneumatic positioners. They require 90 percent less control gas to execute the same position signal and use closed-loop control with a 99 percent position and tight closing function for greater precision in valve positioning. The smart chamber pressure control feature ensures faster valve adjustment, and non-contacting integral pressure sensors monitor the control gas supply and valve chamber pressure. Additionally, the SIPART PS2’s integrated booster applications provide the same level of precision and speed for larger drives.

This closed-loop control feature can potentially save hundreds of therms worth of natural gas and mercaptan each day. And operators can significantly reduce energy consumption and associated compression costs of the legacy method by upgrading to digital, zero-bleed valve positioners.

AWC’s team of Automation & Control Specialists would be happy to help you determine the best Digital/Zero-bleed valve positioners upgrade options.

Scott Bryant is a Process Valve Specialist for AWC, Inc. in the greater Houston, TX area. He has a BBA degree from Southwest Texas State Univ. with over 27 years of sales experience in the Chemical and Refinery industry supporting valve products and services for critical and non-critical applications.

Scott Bryant

Process Valve Specialist

Scott Bryant

Process Valve Specialist

Scott Bryant is a Process Valve Specialist for AWC, Inc. in the greater Houston, TX area. He has a BBA degree from Southwest Texas State Univ. with over 27 years of sales experience in the Chemical and Refinery industry supporting valve products and services for critical and non-critical applications.
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