(EnergyAsia, October 18 2010, Monday) — Shell has installed Metso’s new intelligent valve technology at its largest petrochemicals project, the Houdini complex in Singapore, which officially started up in May 2010.

Technology company Metso said it was awarded the contract to install the new parts in the complex’s pneumatically operated on-off valves.

Metso said its contribution to the project includes some 1,350 valve assemblies with new technology. All pneumatically operated on-off valves in the project are equipped with Neles ValvGuard VG9F intelligent safety valve controllers, as mandatory, instead of conventional solenoid valves and limit switches. This new technology-based pneumatically operated on-off valve set-up was applied for the first time on such scale anywhere in the world.

The company delivered 528 on-off valves, 653 emergency shut-down (ESD) valves, 93 control valves, including low db and anti-cavitation Q-trim models, 33 high rate and low rate de-pressurizing valves and 51 manually operated valves.

Metso said: “Sizes range from 0.5 inch to 72 inches. Pressure ratings range from ANSI Class 150, 300 and 600 to 1500. The temperature range is from high to cryogenic. The project fully follows Shell’s specifications, including fugitive emission requirements.

“All pneumatically operated on-off valves for the Shell Houdini project are equipped with Neles ValvGuard VG9F intelligent safety valve controllers, which are mandatory, rather than using conventional solenoid valves and limit switches. This enables the plant to carry out full diagnostics on all on/off valves via the DCS asset management system.

“The Neles ValvGuard VG9F is connected to the safety system and the FOUNDATION Fieldbus DCS system for full diagnostics and configuration. VG9F intelligent safety valve controllers are also mounted on all pneumatically operated on/off valves outside the Metso range.”

Peter Beerepoot, the Shell manager in the process automation group and instrumentation, said:

“There is always a risk in using a new product on such a scale, but we were convinced of the advantages the valve controller offered. Houdini was a complex project, but the end result speaks for itself. We started the plant up with no major hiccups in just 29 days, which was most satisfactory.”

Metso said its site teams of around 20 people supported the commissioning and start-up of the Shell Houdini projects. With 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries, the company is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries.