Biffi and Power Mechanical on time with Bacton regeneration 11 November 2013

Italian valve actuators specialist Biffi is working with UK distributor Power Mechanical to deliver an innovative system for the Bacton Rejuvenation project in Norfolk.

Having secured the actuation contract through Power Mechanical, Biffi is supplying 17 hydraulic linear (HLAS) and quarter-turn (OLGAS) spring-return actuators for both gate and ball valve applications.

Marco Stoto, engineering manager for piston actuators at Biffi, states that its HLAS series will be engineered for a range of Class 600 valves from 12—24 inches and will be some of the largest linear actuators available on the market.

Rejuvenating the Shell Bacton plant requires complex re-engineering of its current valve and actuation technology to bring the facility up to current international standards. A key requirement of the actuation solution is to upgrade the valve and control technology to emergency shutdown standards as part of the plant's compliance with SIL 2.

"Our expertise and track record ensures we can draw on experience and knowledge from a wide installed base," states Stoto.

"For complex projects such as this, engineering capability and testing, combined with close collaboration, are key. Our relationship with Power Mechanical and Shell ensures that each actuator is engineered for a specific valve application and is delivered to site on time."

Both Biffi actuator ranges have already been installed on various Shell projects and meet Shell's type approvals, including 100-cycle testing.

HLAS spring-return actuators are designed for on-off and regulating service, with a modular design allowing change of service from spring-to-close action to spring-to-open and vice versa.

Meanwhile, OLGAS hydraulic scotch yoke design actuators are designed to generate high break torque up to 75,0000 Nm with low hysteresis and high efficiency.

The Bacton plant controls 25% of the UK's annual gas intake from the Southern North Sea (SNS) and European supply partners, via the BBL Pipeline, and is a strategic facility for natural gas supply.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Biffi Italia Srl
Power Mechanical Ltd

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