In the process industry, awareness of the valve status is essential to avoid injury and equipment damage. A recent market research conducted by Netherlocks, revealed that many companies apply self-made or ‘bracket type’ solutions for valve position indication. As a standard, they experience serious issues with the use of these kinds of solution. What are the alternatives to self-made position indicators and how do they perform in terms of quality and cost effectiveness?
Valve positioning
Typical problems with manual valve position indicators
Self-made solutions for valve position indicators are often used to determine the open /closed position of a manual multi rotation valve. What are the main problems that customers experience with these types of valve position indicators and what product characteristics would end users in the industry actually prefer?
VPI ensures reliable monitoring of handwheel-operated valves
Netherlocks Valve Position Indicator (VPI) provides process facility control rooms with a reliable remote signal, allowing personnel to maintain awareness of handwheel-operated gate valves’ current position.
Petronor orders over 1000 VPI handwheel valve position indicators
1160 VPI units have been ordered from Netherlocks by Bilbao Petronor Oil Refinery, part of Spanish oil and gas giant Repsol. Following a very successful three year pilot program, the new equipment will replace existing valve position signalling at the 220.000 barrels-per-day refinery. The VPI’s are connected to a wireless transmitter, enabling a simple implementation of remote feedback on existing valves in a brownfield environment.
