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One of the most critical valves in a Surface safety system is the Emergency Shut Down Valve (ESDV) or Boarding Pipeline Valve and its job is to Close on Demand to minimize the risk to human life, the environment and the asset.

The Emergency Shut Down system is designed to maintain the process pipe work and vessels in a safe condition and the ESDV may be initiated automatically, by gas detectors, or manually, by an emergency button. The control system will then begin to systematically shut down the processes, causing the ESDVs to go to their failsafe operating positions.

The term Boarding Valve originated in the Gulf of Mexico and a Boarding Valve is used to isolate the Riser from the Production piping. Generally, it comprises two Actuated Valves mounted into one valve body and the actuators are of the Hydraulically Actuated Spring Return type. The configuration of two valves in one body gives a Double Block and with the addition of a small connection between the valves provides the functionality for a Double Block and Bleed.

This type of valve is present on all Production Facilities.

ESDVs and Boarding Valves are installed in all Surface flowlines on Fixed, Semisubmersible and FPSO facilities as a fundamental safety design criterion. The typical valve selection for this type of application is either a Gate or Ball Valve fitted with a failsafe Spring Return Actuator.

However, these configurations require multiple valves to effect a double block and bleed function and if a single valve could be employed it would offer significant advantages.

BEL Valves offers three high integrity options for this service: a Ball Valve, a Through Conduit Gate Valve (TCGV) and an Eccentric Ball Valve (E-Ball).

There is a range of Qualified Ball Valves in Bore sizes from 2” to 42’’ with end and top entry configurations including large bore, tight shut-off, Double Block and Bleed type Valves which meet the requirements for Specialist, High Integrity Surface and Subsea Applications.

TCGVs are supplied with a range of connectors including Proprietary Connections for Surface and Subsea duties. Their Pressure ratings are to 15,000 psi, Temperature ranges from -46 to +175 Deg C and Bore sizes from ½” to 42’’.

The E-Ball is an innovation that brings Performance Improvement, Savings in CAPEX and OPEX and Simplifications in the Design Layout and Installation by permitting this service to be performed by a single valve. It is a robust, compact, top-entry valve designed with a Firesafe qualification and bi-directional seals at both sides of the eccentric ball that enables the central cavity to be bled. Fewer valves mean fewer actuators and parts, fewer leak paths and the elimination of weld integrity doubts. A single valve saves weight and space, and is easier and cheaper to install. The E-Ball is available in Bore Sizes from 2’’ to 20’’ NB, for Surface Applications.

All three valves feature metal-to-metal sealing with Tungsten Carbide coatings and are available in Standard and Exotic Materials that comply with NACE/ISO Standards. Their Qualifications are to API 6A, 6D and 6FA, ANSI B16.34 and ASME VIII and for this service they are Hydraulically Spring Return Actuated.