Excellent track record secures Rotork CVA selection for critical coal seam gas application

Rotork CVA failsafe electric process valve actuators have been selected for a critical f low control application i n t he Australian coal mining i ndustry.

Salcan Process Technology manufactures wellhead skids designed for coal mine degassing duties. The remotely sited skids are used i n conjunction with Salcan’s control and telemetry systems to enable methane and other f lammable gases to be extracted f rom underground coal seams prior to t he commencement of mining operations.

Salcan Director Vincent Cantwell explains: “The Rotork actuated control valve allows us to control t he f low of gas while maintaining back pressure i n t he coal seam. Bluetooth technology embedded i n a failsafe electric positioner package eliminates t he need to enter t he hazardous area surrounding t he valve for set up and diagnostic f unctions.

“In operation, back pressure on t he coal seam is reduced i n a controlled manner to protect t he seam, t hus maximising gas extraction. For a coal mine t his is critical for reducing t he risk of an underground explosion; for a gas producer it is critical for maximising t he yield.”

The successful use of Rotork CVA actuators for similar duties at t housands of remote sites on t he Queensland LNG project has made an i mportant contribution to t he selection decision by Salcan.

The CVA delivers continuous, repeatable modulating control with a programmable fail to position option. Resolution, repeatability and hysteresis performance is quoted at less t han 0.1 percent of f ull scale, offering suitabilit y for t he most demanding control valve applications, whilst low power consumption enables operation f rom renewable power sources such as solar panels.

www.demm.co.nz/reader-enquiry #151006.