Emergency Isolation Valve On-Line Inspection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency isolation valves in oil refining plants cannot be inspected for proper operation of the valve plug during normal operation, which may lead to malfunction in emergency situations due to potential corrosion or smooth movement issues.
Innovation Solution
An emergency isolation valve apparatus with a fluid control system using solenoid selector valves and a sensor to check the operation of the valve plug without interrupting plant operations, allowing for on-line testing of the valve plug's movement and closure status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve plug is checked only at full opening and full closing, then the inspection process is simple, but the valve plug cannot be inspected during operation, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling inspection of the valve plug during normal operation before an actual emergency occurs. The inspection system proactively tests the valve plug's movement capability by controlling the cylinder to move the piston, which in turn moves the valve plug, rather than waiting for full opening/closing cycles or actual emergencies to detect potential failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that detect the valve plug's position and movement status during inspection. The sensor information is sent to a control device that determines whether the valve plug is moving normally, providing real-time feedback on the valve's operational status and enabling continuous monitoring of reliability.
2Reliability
If a check valve or solenoid selector valve is operated for checking, then the control system operation can be verified, but the valve plug itself cannot be checked for proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the piston and rod as an intermediary mechanism between the cylinder and the valve plug. By controlling the piston's movement through the cylinder, the system indirectly but effectively tests the valve plug's movement capability. This intermediary approach allows inspection of the valve plug itself rather than just the control valves, while maintaining ease of operation through the existing control infrastructure.
3Reliability
If the valve plug is not inspected during operation, then the inspection process is simple, but corrosion or smooth movement issues may go undetected, leading to malfunction in emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous inspection of the valve plug during normal plant operation without interrupting the useful action of fluid processing. The inspection system operates concurrently with normal operations, continuously monitoring the valve plug's movement capability and detecting issues like corrosion or smooth movement problems before they affect emergency shutdown reliability, thereby eliminating the need to stop operations for inspection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous monitoring and testing of the valve plug's operation without stopping the plant, ensuring the valve plug can properly shut down in emergencies and preventing fluid path malfunctions, thus enhancing operational reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an air cylinder (2) having a piston (11) and a piston rod (10) for driving the valve shaft (4) to rotate
Implementation Method 2
a sector gear (16) which is meshed with a rack (14) formed on the front face of the piston rod (10) in the gear case (9)
Implementation Method 3
a compression spring (13) which is interposed between a left side plate (7b) and a spring receiving plate (12) for pushing the piston (11) to the valve-opening position
Implementation Method 4
The discharge hole (21) is sealed by an O-ring (23) engaged on the outer circumferential surface of the piston (11)
Implementation Method 5
a fluid control (27) for checking operation of the valve body (1)
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency isolation valve has a valve plug in a valve body connected to a pipeline. The valve plug is connected to a valve shaft around which a sector gear is provided and engaged with a rack of a piston rod in a cylinder. The piston rod has a piston at one end and is connected to a compression spring at the other end. The piston is moved by air supplied into a cylinder from a compressed air source via a fluid control and a solenoid selector valve. Air supply stops and a discharge hole of the cylinder is opened, so that air is discharged to the outside. The piston is returned by the compression spring to close the discharge hole. At the same time stop of the piston rod is detected by a sensor thereby checking whether to actuate the valve plug normally even during operation.